Mumbai: School students start campaign to educate and sensitise juniors about gender issues, inclusiveness

Students of Rustomjee Cambridge International School, Dahisar, promote inclusiveness as part of the campaign

There is nothing wrong with boy-boy or girl-girl attraction. City school students are striving to disseminate this message among their younger peers apart from educating and sensitising them about a host of gender issues and inclusiveness. The broader aim powering their efforts is to prevent bullying, name-calling and humiliation of students over gender-diverse body language and mannerisms. To do their bit to raise awareness of LGBTQIA+, Std XI students of Rustomjee Cambridge International School, Dahisar, have been holding workshops with junior students as well as their parents.

Freyaa Jain, project head of the campaign, said things are not always black and white and that there are so many different perspectives in the world. "Everybody has something different to say and at the end of the day, I believe that the world is a rainbow. It is diverse in every aspect." Jain and seven of her classmates are part of the initiative. They have designed a website to help fellow students get more information on the subject.

A workshop underway at the school; an activity with colours

"I became familiar with these concepts when some classmates came out and opened up about them being a part of the LGBTQIA+ community; what followed was bullying and name-calling. I didn't understand where this hate came from and why can't we respect each other," Jain, who took the first step for the cause with a small project with a classmate.

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"It began with surveys, the result of which was that there was definitely a lack of awareness. Next, we did secondary research and compiled the laws and religious and cultural beliefs about the LGBTQIA+ community in India," she said. Jain and her friends began with workshops with Std VIII students. The experience, she said, taught her the importance of sending out a message with the right knowledge. "By the end, we were able to educate them and destigmatize the topic, so that they were not only accepting but also interacting with the students from the LGBTQIA+ community."

During the workshops, the group discovered that the parents of these students did not or never initiate these conversations at home. This led to the students organising a workshop for parents too. "...I talked to them about how they can initiate conversation and create a safe and respectful environment that allows their kids to speak to them about this topic," Jain. Another workshop for parents is scheduled for November 12. Jain and her friends said some did not agree with what the students talked about at the workshops and said they did not believe in the cause.

Changing views, attitudes

Dhruvil Pariarkar, a Std VIII class representative, said: "The workshop made me think about it seriously and changed my attitude towards students from the LGBTQIA+ community." Another attendee, Vrinda Gohil of Std VIII, said, "I had many questions and the team was able to answer all of them, including how to behave if one of my friends came out to me."

‘Proud of our students'

Dr Hanif Kanjer, director, Rustomjee Cambridge International School, said they are trying to normalise conversations around LGBTQIA+, gender diversity and inclusion. "When we shy away from such conversations we add to the confusion among young people, thus confusing our young ones. Creating safe environments to discuss would lead to better understanding and hopefully less bullying and name-calling. We are proud of our students wanting to raise a voice and create awareness and encourage acceptance." Pratiksha Shetty, a secondary teacher from the school, said she was floored by the confidence of the volunteer team during the workshops. "This is a new beginning for more aware students. We will support them."