CSR: Tata Trusts’ ‘The Force Beyond’ endorses behaviour change to ensure gender equal world

Since gender inequality constitutes one of history’s most persistent and widespread forms of injustice, eliminating it will call for one of history’s biggest movements for change – United Nations 2020.

Premised on this fact is this year’s ‘The Force Beyond’, a marquee Tata Trusts’ property, launched last year as a philanthropic effort to catalyse the momentum behind gender parity. 

The 2^nd edition, pivoted on Sustainable Development Goal 5 – Gender Equality, in line with the Trusts’ commitment to seed parity across geographies and age groups, building systems of support to address diverse needs. Gender violence, representation in justice and inclusion, economic empowerment, parity pay, unravelling stereotypes are just some of the many areas that need change. The same United Nations report stated that the gender pay gap costed the global economy in the area of $160 trillion- a cause for concern and immediate corrective action. Through inspiring stories, compelling dialogues and debates, the Trusts hope to kindle a conversation that will bring us a step closer to a world that includes women’s full and effective participation.

The day’s proceedings began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp. Eric Falt, Director & UNESCO Representative, New Delhi opened the day’s proceedings stating, “Education is definitely one of the greatest levellers of our times. Globally the development discourse has probably tended to focus more on lifting people out of poverty – SDG No.1, which is necessary, but the challenge of lifting people out of illiteracy is just as important and the rewards are as enduring. We must stand up together against all forms of discrimination on gender. Women and men must enjoy equal opportunities, choices, capabilities, power and knowledge as equal citizens. Equipping girls and boys, women and men with the knowledge, values, attitudes and skills to tackle gender equality will be essential to build a sustainable future for all of us.“

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The debate on ‘This is the best time to be a woman’ saw interesting arguments from both sides to build the case ‘for’ and ‘against’ the motion. At the outset, the audience poll highlighted more members believing that it is the best time to be a woman. The consensus was that while women have journeyed a long way towards achieving equality, they are still far away from achieving the desired goals.

Some of the points that echoed in the session were the need to eradicate patriarchy, poverty and have the policy will to achieve stated goals. The bottom line of the debate established that behaviour and mindset change is the need of the hour. Another audience poll at the end of the debate saw the audience changing their vote towards the belief that “THIS is not the best time to be a woman”.

‘Changing the gender paradigm in the Hinterland through economic empowerment’ was one of the panel discussions whereinthe panelists spoke at length about how economic empowerment has given a voice to women as it enables them to become a decision maker. While acknowledging the importance education plays in empowering women, the panelists agreed that one could truly empower women only when there are sustained efforts towards changing the mindset and patriarchy levels of the society.  

‘Does the Indian Justice System do justice to Gender Equality’ witnessed the panelists agreeing that while there have been efforts to bring equal representation in the justice system, it is only when we bring about a change in the mindset of the society will we be able to achieve equal representation. Gender bias is strongly visible in this particular domain as the belief remains that this a male dominated profession. All the panelists stated the need of a basic infrastructure in place for women in the police and judiciary systems in addition to gender sensitization programmes on a large scale.

A special spotlight session introduced the stories of women beneficiaries like Nolakidevi and her husband Mohanlal (residents of a small village of Bali block in South Rajasthan) and champions of the Tata Trusts Menstrual Health Management (MHM) initiative. Nolakidevi spoke of how she overcame the stigma attached to menstruation through the awareness sessions undertaken by the Tata Trusts and the couple counselling sessions that both she and her husband attended, which led to her gaining the understanding and support of her husband.

Now, both of them motivate the adolescent girls of their village to maintain hygiene and take care of themselves during their periods. Another set of inspiring stories came from Naval Tata Hockey Academy (NTHA) where Munmuni Das who hails from a small town Joriguri of district Tinsukia, Assam and Sandeep Kaur, who hails from village Miadi Kalan of district Amritsar, Punjab shared their stories of overcoming personal challenges and pursuing their dream of playing hockey at a professional level.