State Level Workshop with Textbooks Publishers and Writers to make the content gender sensitive

Saajhi Duniya has analysed textbooks of different classes (1 to 5, 6 to 8, 9 to 12) and boards (UP, CBSE, ICSE and ISC) from time to time. The books were analysed with a lens to observe if the content has any discrepancies that strengthen gender or social inequality and weaken our constitutional values. Analyses revealed many such biases in the content. The recommendations were also sent to the government and many a times books were revised too. In this regard, a need was felt to hold a discussion with textbook publishers and writers as they play a crucial role. A state level workshop with a group of 35 participants (including prominent publishers and writers of Uttar Pradesh) was organised with support from Unicef, Lucknow.    

Sessions on gender equality, child marriage and maternal health with VHSNC members in Gram Panchayats of Shravasti District

As the statistics reveal Shravasti district of Uttar Pradesh has a high number of child marriages, home deliveries and low admission of girl child in SNCUs (Sick Newborn Care Unit). This results in poor health and other social indicators for development. They also show gender discrimination and violation of human rights. In this regard, sessions were held with VHSNC (Village Health, Sanitation and Nutrition Committee) members of Tiwarigaon, Naubasta and Rampur Jabdi Gram Panchayats of Shravasti district. The activity was organised with support of Unicef, Lucknow. Participants included ANMs, PRI members, ASHAs, Anganwadi workers and community members. 

Workshop with SHG Leaders on the issues of Gender Equality and Child Marriage at SUDA office, Lucknow

Saajhi Duniya organised 3 workshops for SHG Leaders of 17 districts of Uttar Pradesh. The workshops were organised with support of Unicef, Lucknow at SUDA office. Participants were trained on the issues of Gender equality and Child marriage. They were supposed to pass on the messages in the community and also play a key role in stopping child marriages in their area.

Saajhi Duniya, with its vast educational experiences, believes that most, though not all, such children who perform lesser than average in their schools, do so not because of being less intelligent but due to several other factors like:

• School atmosphere being boring and depressing;
• School teaching being non-engaging and uninteresting;
• Family environment not being congenial , and
• Lack of individual attention which may be needed by some children.

Based on this belief and under the Project "Helping Slow Learning Children of Economically Weaker Sections to Improve Their Learning", Saajhi Duniya visited several schools of Lucknow where mostly children of economically weak sections enrol. Through joyful learning methods, Saajhi Duniya team tried to make the subjects interesting and simple for these children to understand. Besides, the team also had extra sessions with children on socially relevant issues that strengthen constitutional values. The children were also involved in extra curricular activities like songs and skits.