4-Ending Gender Discrimination: A Guide to Protecting and Empowering Girls

 

Introduction

Ending Gender Discrimination: A Guide to Protecting and Empowering Girls. Once, I had the opportunity to work with an organization called Breakthrough Trust. This organization used to work against child marriage. Then I came to know fully about gender discrimination against girls as a widespread global problem. I also came to know that every minute a girl is abused, gender discrimination is one of the biggest evils of society in the whole country, and this evil starts from home itself. Girls are abused the most. This weakens their ability so much that the girl has to struggle a lot to face these evils; if not every girl, then she gets out of the social evils, or else she gets trapped in these evils of the society and keeps suffocating throughout her life. To get out of the yoke of gender inequality, first of all, the family has to take a stand; girls have their own identity, and it has to be maintained. It is important to educate people from all walks of life about this and to highlight the importance and power of girls in society so that every girl is inspired and motivated to rise up and prepare for the future.

The right guide, "A Guide to Eliminating Gender Discrimination, Protecting and Empowering Girls," is a vital resource to understand the barriers that limit girls' lives and prepare to face them head-on and eventually overcome them from home. We live in a world where, despite remarkable progress, millions of girls still face systemic disadvantages from birth, which is a misfortune for a family, society, and the entire country. You know, if a boy's birth certificate is bad, he is taken to the hospital the same day, but if a girl's birth certificate is bad, it takes one to two days. A lack of higher education leads to a lack of basic needs, such as healthcare, and limited economic opportunities. Girls are disproportionately impacted by harmful practices such as child marriage, female genital mutilation, and gender-based violence. This guide calls for action, starting with families and communities, providing practical insights and strategies for individuals, communities, and policymakers.

In writing about gender non-conformity, my goal is to help readers recognize subtle and overt forms of discrimination and to protect girls and give them the tools they need to become agents of change. We must deeply study the root causes of gender inequality and exclusion from society.

And plan how cultural norms, economic structures, and legal frameworks contribute to this problem. We offer a roadmap to create safer and more equitable environments where girls can thrive and learn about their rights. By focusing on key areas such as education, health, and economic empowerment, we outline actionable steps to ensure that every girl has the opportunity to reach her full potential, not just in urban areas but also in rural areas. If every girl is treated equally, we are building a future for every girl in the country. Personal Guide is more than just schooling; it is a commitment to building a future where gender is no longer a barrier to opportunity but a barrier to recognition of one’s rights, and we build a society where every girl is valued, protected, and empowered.

Let's read forward and find some facts about discrimination. And how to remove this social evil, which has been happening for a long time to girls. so that we can give a safe place for girls in the future.

1. Promote the culture of equality at home

Every person gets their first education from their home, and parents are teachers. Family environment and culture are the leaders of society. If we believe this, then why can't we start giving education to everyone from our homes themselves? All the children in the family are looked after equally; if there is any kind of deficiency in this, then the parents and elders of the family will be responsible for it. Today, not only in society but in the whole country, people are becoming victims of inequality and discrimination, and girls are the biggest victims of this. Its direct impact is not only seen in the family but in the whole society. And here it has been said that today it has been counted as one of the social evils of the whole world. It has become the biggest obstacle to social upliftment and development. 

Today, we talk about the development of the country; for this, a budget is made in the ministry, yet we are not able to exclude inequality from society. Who will be responsible for this? Will we hold the boys and girls who are stuck in this water responsible? Absolutely not. I am sure that while reading this article, you must be thinking about how to remove the expectation from the family.

I believe that shaping a girl's self-esteem and confidence is centered on the fundamental role of the family. It is up to the parents and caregivers to break the gender stereotypes from the family itself from an early age and provide such guidance to the girls, so that they can feel their rights and self-respect.

In this regard, equal participation in household chores should be given to girls, girls should be involved in family decisions, and they should also be consulted; by doing this, they will feel equality in the family. And there will be no discrimination against them.

Along with this, girls should be encouraged to pursue interests beyond traditional feminine roles; only then will the role played by them in the coming times be effective, and the country will develop all around.

2. Redefining Masculinity: Engaging Girls as Allies 

Male dominance is often found in countries like India; similarly, many countries run according to male dominance, because they have been following a socially created custom and culture, and the same is going on.

I am going to tell you about an article where the society may not agree with this. I want to acquaint you with a true incident. India is a vast country, and people of many religions and living life according to different beliefs will be found. There is a state in India named Haryana. When I was running a program related to daughters in Breakthrough Trust from 2017 to 2019 and I was involved in this program. It is about a village in Haryana state, if a boy child is born, then the whole village used to beat drums and plates with joy and distribute sweets. This was to make it known that a boy had been born in this family, and everyone used to celebrate. But when the girl is rich, no such process takes place. The whole family used to feel sad instead of happy, and the parents were blamed. You might feel strange to hear this, but it is completely true. Such beliefs can be harmful to the whole country.

Today, boys and men have the most important role in achieving gender equality. But if we talk about the development of the family and the country, then there is discrimination against girls; they have to be brought to an equal level. Society is a place where the first stage of development takes place. If there is inequality in the society itself, then development will not be possible. Girls should also be given the same equality as is given to boys.

3. The Power of Education: Beyond the Classroom

The Power of Education goes beyond the classroom to discuss how education can be a powerful tool for women's safety and empowerment. If we prioritize equality, then boys are more likely to be enrolled in school than girls, with a 60:40 ratio. The survey found that girls are less likely to be enrolled and promoted. However, in homes where education is available, there is less hope, but it is suppressed at home.

The Power of Education goes beyond school enrollment to discuss the importance of a gender-sensitive curriculum that challenges stereotypes and highlights female achievements in the family and society. The content helps make school environments physically and emotionally safe for girls, freeing them from harassment and discrimination. The power of education is often underestimated in boys, but education itself does not discriminate.

Indeed, private companies are also extending their hand to transform the country and connect girls with female role models in various fields, from science and technology to politics and entrepreneurship. Schooling should not be the only thing to rely on. Education not only imparts knowledge but also brings about a change in critical thinking. Providing proper education to girls is also a matter of equality. When girls are educated, they will be able to question and challenge discriminatory norms.

4. Creating safe public spaces: 

Girls are often the victims of harassment and abuse in society due to a lack of equality and respect. This section focuses on practical measures to protect girls from harassment and violence in their communities. It highlights the importance of street lights, safe transport, traffic facilities, roads, and community monitoring programmes. The content also focuses on the need for public awareness campaigns in society. Awareness about street harassment and the prevention of violence against women in society can help prevent street harassment and encourage people to intervene if it happens to girls and women.

When a girl is molested or abused on the street, the blame is put on the girl. Their conduct and clothing are targeted. And it is said that the girl was the one who was abused. The society rarely points fingers at boys.

This section on creating safe public spaces emphasizes providing self-defense and situational awareness and guidance to girls, not as a substitute for systemic change. But if we do, then laws can be changed to prevent such incidents with girls, and the country and the nation can develop.

Advocating for urban planning through safety, which should provide facilities from the design of parks to the location of public facilities like hospitals, schools, markets, squares, etc. I have mentioned many times that the ultimate goal for the safety of girls and women is to create a community and promote a social and cultural environment where every person feels responsible for the safety and respect of girls and women in their shared spaces.