Study finds 90 percent schoolboys require gender sensitisation

According to the survey ‘Gender Sensitization of Adolescent boys and its Linkage to Creation of Positive Male Role Models’ conducted by AVTAR Human Capital Trust, there has been no intervention or behavioural training on gender sensitisation in these schools.

It was discovered in the survey that 60 per cent of principals felt that poor information or misinformation on reproductive health amongst teenage boys is a harsh reality in their schools, 90 per cent opined that boys had problems dealing with mental-physical and emotional imbalances and 70 per cent felt that in the absence of role models, majority boys showed a lack of confidence in accepting gender equality.

The survey also assessed as many as 170 male professionals from across India, working in different industries, responded to a questionnaire on how gender sensitisation training or conversations in their own adolescent stages helped them lead inclusive lives as adults. It was found that men rated gender sensitisation conversations as the most significant factor which helped them become effective leaders capable of healthy interactions with their colleagues, irrespective of gender.

Saundarya Rajesh, Founder, AVTAR Human Capital Trust, said, “While there is a lot being done by the schools to empower girls to become career driven, there is nothing done to make boys enablers in their journey- as a support or an ally. In fact, we were told by heads that there is so much male domination even amid young boys because they have been observing similar behaviour from movies and even family members. They do not have parents with the time to talk to them and be good role models.”

AVTAR Human Capital Trust is set to roll out MITR–Men Impacting Trust & Respect–campaign to 13-18-year-old boys to create young male allies who will be capable of constructive interactions with peer girls.