The Gender Studies Group (an independent, non-funded, university-wide student group) of the Delhi University (DU) recently launched four FAQ booklets on the topics of body, accommodation, sexual harassment and sexual minorities which help discuss sensitive yet pertinent issues. Delhi’s students share their views on how they perceive these booklets.
Aishwarya Adhikari, M.A. International Relations, Jawaharlal Nehru UniversityThe booklets are a step forward and a wonderful initiative, especially for the freshers. Delhi University is known for harassment and the professors’ patriarchal mindset and the freshers have no idea about the environment. The booklets help to acquaint them with the environment. Although I haven’t seen the booklets, the one on accommodation sounds interesting as it enlightens the female students on the restrictive atmosphere of the hostel accommodations.
Rakesh Sengupta, M.Phil., Jamia Milia IslamiaGender sensitivity is certainly the need of the hour, given the state of ignorance that continues to prevail even among college and university goers. I’m especially impressed with the introduction of the fourth booklet. While the other three booklets discuss issues more or less universal in scope, regressive and restrictive hostel policies for female students concern DU across both campuses. Nonetheless, all four units are equally important and I hope their implementation will go a long way in curbing gender discrimination in the university.
Arunima Ghoshal, M.Phil., Delhi UniversityI think it is a great initiative that the gender studies group has started. The campus is fraught with numerous issues and most of the time the students grapple in the dark when it comes to sexual harassment and similar issues. While such initiatives are great on paper, I hope the messages they carry actually reach out to the studentsa and help them gain confidence and information. Including sections on transgenders and on the body is definitely a great move and it seems to be a stride towards better management and spread of greater knowledge related to gender issues on campus.
