Why in the News?

On Friday (February 21, 2025), the Supreme Court told the Centre that schools should teach students about gender equality and how men should treat women with respect.

Is the lack of basic education about gender equality the root cause of the surge in rape cases and crimes against women? 

• Perpetuation of Gender Stereotypes: Without education promoting gender equality, traditional gender norms that view women as inferior or subordinate to men persist. These stereotypes normalize the control and objectification of women.
  • Example: In many societies, women are still expected to conform to rigid gender roles (e.g., being submissive or confined to domestic spaces), leading to a culture where violence against women is excused or ignored.
• Lack of Consent Education: Education about bodily autonomy and consent is often missing from curricula, leading to misunderstandings about boundaries and mutual respect in relationships.
  • Example: In the 2012 Nirbhaya case in India, public outrage highlighted how a lack of understanding of consent and gender respect contributed to the brutal crime and called for reforms in legal and educational frameworks.
• Normalization of Violence: In the absence of gender-sensitive education, violence against women is often normalized or trivialized, reducing the social stigma against perpetrators and discouraging survivors from seeking justice.
  • Example: A 2018 NCRB report indicated that a significant number of rape cases were committed by individuals known to the victim, reflecting how intimate violence is often overlooked due to cultural acceptance.
• Failure to Challenge Patriarchal Mindsets: Without education to challenge patriarchal beliefs, young minds are conditioned to accept gender hierarchies, reinforcing power imbalances that enable violence.
  • Example: In rural areas of Uttar Pradesh, deeply entrenched patriarchal values have led to frequent reports of gender-based violence, underscoring the need for education to disrupt these harmful norms.
• Ineffective Implementation of Gender Sensitization Programs: Despite legal mandates like the POSH Act (2013) and initiatives for gender education, the absence of comprehensive implementation limits public understanding and societal change.
  • Example: In workplaces across India, the lack of proper sensitization and training programs on gender equality has resulted in underreporting of sexual harassment cases.

Should schools include gender equality and respectful behavior in curricula?

• Promotes Mutual Respect and Empathy: Teaching gender equality helps students understand and respect diverse identities, fostering empathy and reducing discriminatory attitudes.
  • Example: Programs like UNICEF’s “Life Skills Education” in schools across India teach students about gender sensitivity, helping reduce bullying and promoting inclusive behavior.

•  Prevents Gender-Based Violence: Educating students about consent, boundaries, and respectful communication helps prevent harassment and violence from an early age.
  • Example: Countries like Sweden have implemented comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), resulting in lower rates of sexual harassment among teenagers.

• Challenges Gender Stereotypes: Curricula that question traditional gender roles empower students to pursue diverse career paths and challenge social biases.
  • Example: “Breakthrough India” runs school-based campaigns that challenge stereotypes, encouraging both girls and boys to engage in activities beyond gender norms (e.g., encouraging girls in STEM fields).

Way forward: 

• Integrate Comprehensive Gender Education: Mandate gender equality and consent education across all educational levels to challenge stereotypes, promote mutual respect, and prevent gender-based violence.
• Strengthen Implementation and Monitoring: Ensure effective enforcement of gender-sensitive laws and policies through regular audits, awareness campaigns, and robust monitoring mechanisms to improve accountability and support for survivors.

Mains PYQ:

Q Discuss the desirability of greater representation to women in the higher judiciary to ensure diversity, equity and inclusiveness. (UPSC IAS/2021)

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