Gender Equity
Building a Just and Inclusive Future
We strive for a society where all genders have equal opportunities, rights, and respect. By challenging stereotypes, addressing gender-based violence, and fostering inclusive practices, we empower young people to drive the change toward gender justice.
In India, gender socialization deeply shapes individuals from an early age, leading to discrimination in education and employment, rigid labor roles, cultural restrictions, gender-based violence, early and forced marriages, and stigma surrounding identity and bodies. These challenges are even more severe for marginalized communities due to intersecting factors like caste, class, religion, and ethnicity.
At Samvada, we create spaces for young people to critically reflect, unlearn biases, and become leaders who envision a future where:
Gender is a matter of personal choice, practiced with autonomy.
Opportunities in education, work, and societal respect are not determined by gender.
Institutions are free from gendered inequalities and violence.
Individuals can make informed choices about life partners and sexual practices, equipped with the necessary knowledge to act responsibly.
Gender justice is a core principle embedded in all our programs. By enabling young people to unlearn hierarchical gender norms, we empower them to become advocates for equity and inclusion in their communities.
Our Initiatives for Gender Equity
At Samvada, we believe gender justice requires education, dialogue, and action. Our programs create spaces for young people and professionals to challenge inequalities and foster a more just society.
Workshops:
Encourage youth to question gender norms, recognize dignity across identities, and prepare for relationships and marriage, especially for those from marginalized communities.
Training for Professionals:
Through Baduku – Centre for Livelihood Learning, youth can study Gender & Law or train as Counselors for Women’s Wellness to support gender justice in their careers.
Student-led Campaigns:
Youth-led initiatives like DHWANI (2015) on preventing sexual harassment and HOLD ON! (2016) advocating education before marriage empower students to drive change.
Gender Sensitization for Men:
Workshops help young men understand consent, challenge toxic masculinity, and respect women’s autonomy.
Women’s Collectives:
Support groups like Sakhi, Sakshi, Bhoomika, Sahachari, and Munnade provide spaces for women to assert rights and demand justice.
Festivals:
Mahila Habbas (2003-2007) celebrated women’s strength, resilience, and solidarity, fostering pride and self-expression.
Child Sexual Abuse Study (1994):
Conducted with Dr. Shekhar Seshadri (NIMHANS), this was India’s first-ever study on CSA, raising awareness and leading to legal reforms, helplines, and advocacy efforts.
Gender Bias in Judiciary (1997):
In collaboration with Sakshi, this research exposed systemic gender discrimination in the legal system, prompting discussions on judicial reforms.
Feminist Counselling Feasibility Study (2009):
Examined the demand for gender-sensitive mental health services, leading to the creation of our Feminist Counselling course and the Centre for Wellness and Justice.
Research: Advancing Social Justice Through Knowledge
At Samvada, research has been a powerful tool for understanding social issues, influencing policy, and driving meaningful change.
Through these initiatives, Samvada continues to challenge deep-rooted inequalities and advocate for a just and equitable society.
"We are told that a woman’s life is attached to a man and that we mean nothing unless we are married."
— Hema, student at Baduku, 2015
"Even though I’m a science student, in my college they don’t talk about our anatomy and our bodies. This is a science, why don’t we talk about it openly?"
— Anonymous, Youth Resource Centre
"I had a big inferiority complex about my body; I was disgusted by it. Now I love my body, I think I’m beautiful! Also, I didn’t know about sexualities and different sexual orientations; now I know these things."
— Muslim Woman with Disability, GSRM workshop for Alumni of Baduku’s Counselling Course
"There should be respect and equality between men and women, and there should be emotional understanding within relationships. I understood what I want in a life partner, and what expectations are involved in marriage; also understood that love and sexual desire/needs are different from each other."
— Anonymous, Sakhi, Hospete
"I’ve become so sensitive about sexuality, love, etc., that with my husband and my family members I can bargain, have dialogues, and do what I want instead of sitting in my room and crying and getting disturbed. Now I know how to negotiate what I need with my family members."
— MSc Psychiatry Student, GSRM workshop for Alumni of Baduku’s Counselling Course
"Five years ago, I had a very warped idea about sex and sexuality. That women have agency and opinions was alien to me. But here, I'm learning that I can't dictate what a woman decides to do. I have to respect her."
— Nanjundaswamy, 24, Participant