September 2025
Namaste,
I am Suna here again. Every discussion meeting I attend fills me with new ideas and valuable lessons. Today was no different. Our meeting, which was supposed to begin at 7:30, actually started at 8 o’clock because everyone was busy with their work.
As always, once everyone gathered, we began by reviewing the last meeting. Previously, we had learned so many important things about HIV/AIDS. I was eager to know what today’s topic would be—it stirred a sense of curiosity in me. Just then, Meera interrupted our thoughts and announced that today’s discussion would be about Sama Vikas (Gender Development). Before beginning, she said we would play a game and asked all of us to stand up.
For the game, she explained that one person would play the role of a man and another a woman. I volunteered to be the man, while another member became the woman. Meera gave us cards labeled “male” and “female.” She then read out situations related to population, economic, social, cultural, and educational status. Each time, whoever had a better status had to take a step forward. Gradually, the gap between us widened, clearly showing how men stood ahead in education, jobs, and politics, while women lagged behind.
Through this simple game, the unequal status of men and women became crystal clear. Afterward, Meera asked, “How did you feel about the game? What did you understand from it?” We shared our reflections. Then she asked us, “What do you think women’s rights are? What rights fall under it?” We answered: the right to live, the right to food, the right to mobility, etc. Meera gently explained that these were basic human rights, but women’s rights go beyond this—they include equal opportunities in education and employment, equal pay for equal work, and equality before the law.
She then asked, “What do you understand by equality (samanata) and equity (samata)?” and explained with a powerful metaphor: Men and women are like two wheels of a cart. If one wheel is smaller, weaker, or larger, the cart cannot move forward smoothly. Only when both wheels are balanced can the cart reach its destination. In the same way, men and women must move forward together in development.
Meera emphasized that before there can be equality, there must first be equity, because the conditions of men and women are very different. To reduce this gap, positive discrimination is necessary. For example, if you give the same food to a bird with a long beak and a dog, would that be equality? No equity requires creating fair opportunities based on real needs. She explained beautifully: Equality is the goal, but equity is the path.
We also learned about three types of work:
- Household work – endless tasks that are unpaid.
- External work – paid labor that brings income.
- Community work – contributions to society.
In our society, it is assumed that household chores—cooking, childcare, cleaning—are solely women’s responsibility. Similarly, society defines roles the moment a child is born: if it’s a boy, he is shaped one way; if it’s a girl, another. These fixed roles are unjust and go against gender development.
Later, Meera asked us to name a doctor, a farmer, a lawyer, and an officer. Almost everyone mentioned male names. She explained that even in our imagination, we often picture men in these roles, which shows how deeply gender bias is rooted.
Today’s discussion opened my eyes. I realized how much has changed in society compared to before, but also how many inequalities still remain. Women are still left behind in many areas. From today’s session, I have learned that if I ever witness discrimination or unfair treatment between men and women, I will raise my voice boldly. That is the decision I made today.