Gender Sensitivity Workshop

Gender Sensitivity Workshop

Resource person: Wong Yock Leng

This session was divided into 3 parts. The first part introduced an exercise to analyze the social conditioning that is ingrained in all human beings since birth. In this session, the participants were asked to write on 2 different pieces of paper what was the first word they would think of when they see the word "Man" and "Woman".

Some of the words the participants came up with were:

Woman - Complex, feminine, breasts, weak, gentle, loving, cosmetics, kindness, sexy, creative, human being, tender, compassionate, fun, inner strength, obedience, healing wounds. etc.

Man - Heavy, human being, courageous, strong, testosterone, tough, powerful, task-oriented, competitive, masculine, macho, aggression, leader, decisive, attractive, self-oriented, chauvinistic, dominant, always selfish, violent, serious etc.

This exercise was to analyze the social conditioning that is ingrained in all human beings since birth. The social conditioning normally dictates the role, image, and ability of each gender and confines them in exploring their potentials as a human being. It is prevalent in every aspect of our social life, including the family, peers, media, religion, politics, economics, and even the Church. Hence it is important to break away from these social conditioning in order to fully realize the true abilities and capabilities of every human being regardless of the sex she or he is born into.

The second part introduced WSCF AP sexual harassment policy. Each participant was distributed with the Policy on Sexual Harassment brochure developed by WSCF AP. Yock Leng highlighted the need to understand what is sexual harassment especially when during a regional program where there are participants from different countries with different attitudes and cultural backgrounds

in comprehending sexual harassment. She also gave examples to the participants, what constitutes sexual harassment. They are:

· Unwanted and unreturned suggestive looks or stares;

· Unwanted sexual comments, teasing or jokes;

· Telephone calls or letters with sexual content directed at someone who has indicated they are not interested in this kind of contact;

· Obscene gestures;

· Following or stalking;

· Rape and attempted rape;

· Displaying drawings or publications of a sexual nature without permission or with the intention of upsetting someone;

· Unwanted touching eg., putting an arm around shoulders, hugging, intentionally brushing or rubbing against someone;

· Displaying genitals without mutual consent;

· Other forms of sexual assault.

The Policy on Sexual Harassment also offers suggestions and ways to deal with the occurrence of sexual harassment during a program. The organizers of any programs should pay attention in handling delicate situations whereby they have to deal with the victims and the harassers.

However, different cultures and traditions have different ways of greetings, conveying affection or gratitude to another person. In a regional program, there would be various cultures and traditions and thus various ways of greeting or conveying affection to the next person. Sometimes, these could lead to be mistaken as sexual harassment if the people do not understand the cultural backgrounds. In light of this, the third part of the session was an exercise which asked the participants to draw a female and male body and shade on them the parts which they do not like others to touch. This exercise clearly indicated to all participants coming from different cultural backgrounds, the sensitivity everyone should adhere to. Hence any misunderstanding on sexual harassment could be clear.

Women and Men Caucuses

The caucuses were held in the evening which were to let participants continue discussions on pertinent gender issues that affect their lives. It is hope that through the caucuses, the women and men participants would become clearer and have deeper understanding on the social conditioning of the sexes.

Women Caucus - The women participants were divided into 2 groups to discuss on 2 separate topics. One topic is on Women & Sexuality and the other topic was on Women & Family.

Women & Sexuality: this group discussed on their role, image and responsibility as a woman and the sexuality which is dictated by the society. Women are mostly confined by the sexuality that is defined by the society, family, peers, media, and even church. Thus, women's sexuality is often valued as a virgin, a good mother, or a good wife who obeys the rules and regulations set by the patriarchal society.

Women & Family: The group discussed on the heavy roles and responsibilities of being a daughter, a sister, a mother and a wife. While engaged in these multiple tasks, most women found it very difficult to involve male family members to help in the family's responsibilities as the 'normal' perception of male family members is mainly to involve in careers outside the homes. Thus most women bear heavy responsibilities both in the family as well as in the work place where they are often needed to supplement the family's income.

Men Caucus - In this session, male participants have to draw out their abilities to change the patriarchal attitudes through sharing their own experiences. Their feelings, joys of being an individual, the strengths and weaknesses of being a male were explored. The group was encouraged to actively involve themselves in gender issues and to participate or become supportive leaders in this respect in their own respective movements.