Women are suppressed in so many ways and treated as low in their family as well as in community. They are denied of their rights to pursue higher study, participate in public meetings, and decision making process etc. Especially the dalit-women agricultural labourers working in the fields of high caste landlords are exposed to all sorts of humiliations and abuses, including sexual harassment. Dalit women are deprived of all the positives like the nutrition, education, shelter and other social security measures, which are highly essential for a decent living and human dignity. The wages for women work is very low. Old age women are very much neglected by their sons and daughters. Inspite of constitutional provisions for women, there are many atrocities, abuses and murders. Day in day out, we come across news on women about various types of atrocities, abuses, rapes, murders; but many go un-reported, due to the resigned attitude of general public. In this regard, GPMS is imparting awareness and sensitization programmes on women rights especially ‘Dalit women Rights’ to empower them with knowledge and awareness that the women are able to protect themselves from all sorts of atrocities.
GPMS supports for holistic development of women and young girls from poor and dalit communities through appropriate rights based initiatives. GPMS through gender sensitization training, makes the women understand how women are discriminated in their own family, in the community they live, the impact on girls’ children and their childhood status, need for removing gender imbalances in families and societies and gender issues at home, work places and in society.
GPMS has adopted the following principles on Gender Equality and Gender Equity.
Gender Equality: Gender equality entails the concept that all human beings, both men and women, are free to develop their personal abilities and make choices without the limitations set by stereotypes, rigid gender roles, or prejudices. Gender equality means that the different behaviours, aspirations and needs of women and men are considered, valued and favoured equally. It does not mean that women and men have to become the same, but that their rights, responsibilities and opportunities will not depend on whether they are born male or female.
Gender Equity: Gender equity means fairness of treatment for women and men, according to their respective needs. This may include equal treatment or treatment that is different but considered equivalent in terms of rights, benefits, obligations and opportunities. In the development context, a gender equity goal often requires built-in measures to compensate for the historical and social disadvantages of women.