The controversy over disbanding of the Gender Sensitive Committee Against Sexual Harassment (GSCASH) has taken a new turn in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), with a section of women students questioning self-defence training sessions started by the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) set up by the administration.
Some students pointed out that such sessions put the onus on women to protect themselves, an approach that conflicted with that of GSCASH, which focused on gender sensitisation with workshops, films and meetings.
JNU Students’ Union president Geeta Kumari, who was a student representative to GSCASH in 2015, said though it was important to learn martial arts, anti-sexual harassment bodies should focus on gender sensitisation initiatives.
Regard for freedom
“A woman should be left undisturbed not because she knows karate but out of regard for her freedom and choice,” she said.
Student Swati Simha, who boycotted the training, said the problem with the measure was that it was a “remedial approach” that put the onus on the victim to defend herself against sexual harassment.
ICC presiding officer Vibha Tandon said self-defence training was an important part of national policy.
“I don’t think doing anything positive for women is wrong. We will also conduct gender sensitisation programmes shortly,” she said.
