Slum kids spread word about gender sensitisation

By Ayushree Nandan

New Delhi, July 31 (IANS/ 101Reporters) The scorching sun pushed its way through Prahladpur, a low-income community in Delhi known for its festive market. Close to a man frying piping samosas in a wok, many kids decorate the walls of a house with origami butterflies. Dubbed Khoj Basti by its patrons, its a learning space founded three years ago by a social worker at a government school in Prahladpur. Since then, it has been maintained by the students of the school. At a corner, Nandini Kumari, an 11th grader, sits in a room full of teenage girls.

"What is the worst possible name you have seen people use for a woman?" she asks the gathering at the beginning of the session. There is confusion on the faces of those present.

With a population of over 47,000, Prahladpur is surrounded by Lakkarpur and Lal Kuan. Locals and migrants rub shoulders withj each other. There are wide streets and efficient transport connectivity. But, Prahladpur also struggles with innumerable social challenges.

"Girls are often victims of restrictions, stigma and are never considered to have an opinion," says Varsha Rani, 16, a resident. She claims every woman faces sexism but what women face depends on how developed an area is.

Santosh Jadon, a resident and a shopkeeper, says, "A girl returning home late is usually frowned upon. But these [gender biases] are normal because they happen everywhere."

Nandini feels "Bollywood culture" has led to the present situation. She started Nazariya, meaning viewpoint, in 2018 to understand the unexplored perspectives of biases and raise awareness about the inequalities of society. Apart from conducting awareness campaigns for the community, Nazariya also conducts self-help workshops for the girls.

Jyoti Singh Chauhan, a 15-year-old resident of Lal Kuan, believes voices can be expressed in many forms. In 2018, Jyoti started Gurukul, which is an initiative to let every child express themselves through art, dance, theatre, music and poetry.

She mentioned that she had the opportunity to study in an English-medium school but there are many who can't. She also added that they might not be able to pay for learning extracurricular activities. She revealed that Gurukul is meant to cater to kids from all types of schools and bridge the inequality, which has been created by choices of education.

"Gurukul is for everybody. Every child deserves to find their voice," added Jyoti.

With gradual support received from peers to build teams, today, both Jyoti and Nandini impact close to 300 kids, of which 98 per cent are girls. Many girls consider Gurukul a platform to question and express, claimed Jyoti. Whether it's weekly vocational sessions led by Gurukul or Nazariya's awareness campaigns, Khoj Basti is the roof that shelters the stories.

Anchal Tiwari, a student of class eight, is learning music at Gurukul. She credits the project for her confidence as she can express her feelings here without any judgement.

While she always liked writing poems, 13-year old Arpita Tiwari felt more validated about her habit of penning down her feelings after attending reflection sessions at Nazariya. She feels her poem, Pyaar (love), is a milestone in her protest against the communal mindset that dismisses a girl's feelings related to affection and fondness.

An unusual movement that it is for Prahladpur, the girls have often faced hurdles on their path but nonetheless, Jyoti talks about how they have to increase the impact.

Nandini mentioned that members of Nazariya are now conducting surveys in Prahladpur on gender gaps and their solutions. They are also slated to conduct one-day workshops in different schools of New Delhi with the help of an NGO. Nazariya also has a YouTube channel where upload content relevant to sensitisation towards marginalised communities.

As the session is coming to an end, "What is the worst possible name you have seen people using for a woman?" Nandini asks again. The girls start throwing responses-'prostitute', 'slut', 'whore'.

Finally, as these adolescents attempt to sensitise the world against inequality, the sound of a feminist tale popping in a cauldron can be heard nearby.