“I am a mother to my three-year-old son. Often, I need to travel from my mother’s home in Puducherry to my own house in Chennai. If I happen to travel without my husband, my father used to tell me not to worry and not to be afraid of anything because I had the great safety of a man, my three-year-old son. I was truly shocked to hear these words from my father repeatedly. How could a three-year-old boy, my baby, protect me? As a woman, can’t I ensure my own safety? This is the gender equality I experience in my family,” says Vaishnavi, a young woman from Puducherry.
Growing up in a traditional and patriarchal society, Vaishnavi witnessed the challenges and inequalities that women in her community and family faced. Despite these hurdles, she was determined to break the cycle and create a more equitable environment for herself and the women around her.
Another young man, Arun, expresses, “I have loved nature since my childhood, and I am deeply concerned about how people are harming the environment. I recently learned about something called the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are global objectives set by the United Nations to make the world a better place. One of these goals, SDG 13, focuses on taking care of our planet, especially in terms of climate action. After completing a training program, I now realize that caring for the environment is not only beneficial for nature but can also help our local economy.”
A three-day training program, Module V on Women and Mother Earth, was organized as part of Capacity Building Training for Youth. With the strong support of the Social Inclusion and Democracy unit of the Indian Social Institute-Bengaluru, several partner NGOs in Puducherry, including HOPE Trust, SCOHD Society, Anbalayam Trust, Mother Trust, and Abhithi Foundation, 43 enthusiastic youths (15 males and 28 females) were trainined.
The training provided valuable knowledge to the participants on gender equality, the role of women in family and society, women leaders, women’s rights, challenges faced by transgender and sexual minorities, and environmental safety, specifically focusing on SDG 13, Climate Action.
At the start of the training, participants had the opportunity to join a motorcycle rally aimed, raising awareness about SDGs. Social activists, Kalaimamani Pazhaniyapellai and Mr. Rajendhiran, led this awareness program, traveling across Tamil Nadu on their motorcycles. As they reached Puducherry on August 11, some of our youths, along with Mr. Premkumar (Programme Facilitator-Tamil Nadu, Puducherry), joined the awareness rally focused on SDG 14, Life Below Water, which was organized by HOPE Trust. Following the rally, the training sessions commenced, beginning with the topic of Women in Family and Society.
On the second day of the training, the focus shifted to caring for the environment, SDGs, and the local economy. As part of SDG 13, Climate Action, the youths visited a nearby school, the Government Higher Secondary School in Kalappet. There, they conducted a small awareness program and participated in tree planting activities with the school children and teachers.
Through this training the youths underscored the challenges and aspirations of individuals living in a society marked by gender inequality and environmental concerns. Their reflections on the gender disparities within their own families highlights the need for greater gender equality and empowerment. Their recognition of the importance of environmental conservation and their involvement in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) showcase the potential for positive change through informed action.
The training program, Module V on Women and Mother Earth, stands as a beacon of hope and education, equipping young individuals with essential knowledge about gender equality, women’s roles, and environmental responsibility. It demonstrates that change is possible when people come together with a shared commitment to create a fairer and more sustainable world. As these youth engage in awareness campaigns, rallies, and discussions, they pave the way for a future where gender disparities are challenged, and environmental protection is a shared responsibility. The sharing of the youth and their peers serve as reminders that progress begins with education, awareness, and a collective determination to build a more equitable and environmentally conscious society.
Prem Kumar,
Programme Facilitator
Tamil Nadu-Puducherry.