Develop the Awareness and the Courage to Face Any Situation
We had arranged a talk on ‘Domestic Violence, Women Harassment, and Legal Remedies’ for our students as an awareness program for PoSH. The guest spoke about what are the actions that would come under domestic violence and women harassment. Further, she listed all the possible legal remedies for those issues quoting the laws implemented for that.
During the Question & Answer session, one of the girls asked the question:
“If any girl is affected by such sexual abuse, mostly the parents are not allowing the girl to complain or take any action against that person, on the other hand, they are not permitting that girl to continue her studies or job. In some cases, the parents arrange marriage immediately for that girl fearing that society might say something. Though there is legal protection, it is not availed by many. Women are not ready to come out as they are not well received. Why is this, why are they not seeking legal action?”
The guest responded by saying that parents are afraid that their relatives will gossip and getting the groom for the girl would become a difficult task. They are still in the old philosophy only …
What I feel is the law is implemented but the mind set of the people is not completely changed. Awareness is given, but we can not educate each and every person immediately, it might take time. We are taking this to the younger generation in colleges and schools so that current generation girls and boys can develop the right understanding of these issues and the possible solutions.
Girls and boys, do not complain that our parents are not understanding, they are not aware of these laws and even if they are aware they do not take any actions as they fear their relatives/society. Do not feel dejected that they are not forward thinking and not seeking justice but punishing the affected girls etc.
This awareness is for you, you have to develop the awareness and the courage to face any such things in the future as you are the future parents, you are the decision makers and policy makers in future. Be keen on understanding all the laws and procedures for seeking justice, so that if any of you or anyone whom you know or anyone in your next generation is affected by such domestic violence or sexual harassment you can rise and find a solution.
Not only the parents of young girls are not coming out to complain against people involved in such activities. I came to know recently that one of my friends, in her late forties, was sexually harassed in her workplace and when she discussed it with her son he suggested not to fight with that man but instead be away from him. The poor thing is when she took that matter to the higher officials they advised(?) her not to take it further and this would damage her reputation in the workplace!
My friend’s son recently joined a big organisation in a higher position directly as he has an MBA from IIM, Calcutta. A few of his team girls brought to him a sexual abuse complaint about a senior person working there for quite a long time. When this boy took this matter to the higher officials they treated him as if he was unnecessarily complicating things in the workplace. But, he feels good that he had taken it to higher officials even though he is facing some issues, as knowing such things how can one be quiet? So, youngsters are into action now! Right?
Also, when human values are taught in higher education institutions, students have lots of questions. Why this is taught to them, it should have started with the young children, they even asked if we should have conducted the sessions with the pregnant women first! Also, in the Faculty Development Programs for this Universal Human Values, the participants themselves raised such questions!
Everything is fine, but we can not go randomly into society and start educating people on human values. What do you say?
All India Council for Technical Education has taken the initiative to teach Universal Human Values to all higher education students, the introductory course before the beginning of the regular classes for the first-year students as a part of the Student Induction Program and a 3 credit course during their second year. Now, UGC is also joining in implementing this in all the Arts and Science Colleges!
We are teaching these Universal Human Values to the younger generation, the future parents. Teach the kids, Teach the parents, Teach the pregnant women – that is what is done indirectly now, teaching the higher education students who will be the future parents, decision-makers, and policymakers!
So, understand the concepts taught in Universal Human Values: How to develop the right understanding, how to develop harmony in yourself, in your family, in society and in nature. Inculcate the human values in your living so that the next generation will get these values imbibed in them and they will live in harmony!
A Foundation Course in Human Values and Professional Ethics, by R R Gaur, R. Asthana, G P Bagaria, Edition 2
My dear young boys and girls, rather than complaining that your previous generations are not aware of certain things, you educate yourselves and become knowledgeable about all those things which you value more, so that you can do wonders in the future!
Younger Generation – Develop the awareness and the courage to face any situation as you are the future parents, you are the decision makers and policy makers in the future!
