Men, women to celebrate gender equality in Berhampur

Kolkata: More than 200 men from 11 districts of Bengal are gathering in Berhampur, Murshidabad to celebrate changes they have experienced in their perception and practices in their behaviour towards women.

A two-day unique event will be held at Ganga Bhavan, Berhampur on Friday and Saturday with the aim to promote and celebrate non-aggressive, non-violent masculinity.

The participants in the programme will explore issues like patriarchy, masculinity, gender and sexuality through games, debates, songs and other cultural forms. This festival is organised by five NGOs that work to establish gender equality.

It may be mentioned that for the past one-and-half-year these men have discussed many things individually and collectively, reflected on their privileges as men and are questioning societal norms that cause issues such as gender discrimination.

"On a particular day when I was asked about the immunisation schedule of my daughter, I realized that I had no idea. It shook me up and now I take more responsibility for my daughter. I was wrong to leave all childcare tasks to my wife," says Samar (name changed), from Bosepukur. He is working with 15 other men to make the club in his locality more inclusive for women.

Many men are also doing more household chores and are participating more actively in childcare. Baburam, Sanjay, Banshi and many others are doing household chores and trying to lessen the workload of women in

their households.

Men are motivating others to change and challenge gender discriminatory societal norms. Ranjan, a young man from Jodhpur Park is trying to engage women in popular sports like cricket and football.

"I have organised a cricket match between boys and girls and will organize a football match soon," Ranjan said.

The Forum to Engage Men, (FEM) West Bengal is also participating in this festival.