Breaking Chains: Nukkad Natak on the Crucial Theme of Gender Awareness

Gender awareness is crucial because it helps promote equality, understand different viewpoints, and create a more inclusive and just society. The advancement of gender equality requires a strong understanding of gender issues. It contributes to a fair and just society by assisting in identifying and addressing gender-based inequalities, discrimination, and biases.

According to the annual Gender Gap Report, 2023 of the “World Economic Forum",  India was ranked 127 out of 146 countries regarding gender parity. Though India showed improvement in the ranking, it is still a matter of concern. As a society, we confront numerous challenges stemming from inherent unfairness. Gender discrimination, disparate pay, violence against women, and the disturbing practice of female foeticide stand out as significant concerns. Beyond these, issues of women's safety and security persist, demanding our immediate and focused attention.

Nukkad Natak at Lords University by “Gender Championship Club”

Recently, our Gender Championship Club organized a Nukkad Natak competition on the theme of “Gender Awareness”. The event commenced with the ceremonial lighting of a lamp by our esteemed Research Director, Dr. Sneh Saiwan. Later, Dr. Rashmi Somvanshi, the President of the Gender Championship Club, then took the stage to inaugurate the event, captivating the audience with her enlightening remarks about the discrimination women face in society. She underscored the imperative of fostering an egalitarian society where women experience no discrimination and are given equal opportunities. Additionally, she addressed the persistent discrimination faced by the third gender, lamenting our collective failure despite constitutional recognition and rights bestowed upon them.

The event commenced with a compelling performance by students from the B.ed department, vividly portraying the harsh realities of life wherein gender discrimination and violence against women prevail, often overlooked by society.

During this event, three departments of our college—School of Law, B.ed, and B.A- actively participated. The performances portrayed different scenarios of gender discrimination prevalent from childhood through old age, highlighting the unfortunate reality. The poignant depiction of young girls sacrificing their education for their brothers and being burdened with household chores served as a stark reflection of the societal challenges we face today.

Among all the performances, the standout was the performance by the Lords School of Law, which uniquely addressed the often-overlooked aspect of gender discrimination. Their electrifying performance effectively conveyed the message that discrimination is not unidirectional; it affects both genders. Through compelling storytelling, they shed light on the lesser-explored challenges faced by men in society, highlighting the importance of recognizing and addressing discrimination in all its forms. Conversely, the group of B.A. students offered a delightful and optimistic perspective on the relationship between men and women in society. 

They creatively envisioned a fictional scenario where women held dominant roles over men. While entirely imaginative, the portrayal effectively prompted discussions on altered power dynamics, enhanced equality, and shifts in societal expectations. The performance resonated well with the audience and engaged the attending faculty in thoughtful conversations about gender dynamics.

The cultural expectations of women, the expectations to take charge of the household chores, serve the family, and be in a secondary position are a huge burden on women. A survey released in 2020, by the National Statistical Office finds that 81.2 % of all women are engaged in unpaid domestic services, compared with 26.1% of men. It came out in  India’s first national time-use survey. This is a universal truth that historically women have stayed home and taken care of the family, a recent judgment by the Jharkhand High Court said that women must serve elderly mothers-in-law since it is a part of Indian culture. The law should be based on equality and not something that promotes or reinforces gender norms.