Gender equality workshop at Khel Vikas

A workshop on gender equality at the workplace was conducted by Dr Martha Farrell from PRIA for all Pro Sport Development employees, which was followed by an interactive discussion on the protection and safeguarding of children at Khel Vikas.

Dr Martha Farrell from PRIA (Society for Participatory Research in Asia), India, conducted a workshop on gender equality in the workplace as well as a seminar on sexual harassment at the workplace. This was followed by an interactive discussion on the child protection policy at Khel Vikas, identifying different forms of abuse that children playing sports get exposed to and implementing measures to prevent the same in the Khel Vikas sport programmes.

The importance of gender equality in the workplace cannot be undermined in today’s world, as all male and female employees should not be deprived of opportunities. The workshop enabled Pro Sport Development (PSD) to educate its entire staff to understand firstly what comprises of the workplace, how to ensure gender equality in it as well as to understand sexual harassment at the workplace and how to deal with instances of the same. Moreover, this is practiced and preached by our staff who teach children the value of respecting everyone from a young age. For instance, programmes that help children understand the problems that an adolescent girl undergoes, reduces incidences of girls getting teased or embarrassed in front of others.

PSD’s staff also discussed the child protection policy at Khel Vikas, highlighting the different forms of abuse that children undergo. PE and after school coaches have started to educate the school teachers and other staff on the different forms of abuse children suffer and the ways in which they can be protected. Children are also made aware of these abuses and encouraged to voice their concerns against any form of abuse. Additionally, at least one female employee from PSD would be travelling with the girls’ team during competitions.

By educating its employees on these issues, PSD aims to bring more open-mindedness among the teachers and students in understanding everyone’s needs. This will encourage the students to form a democratic society, with males and females getting the opportunities that they deserve.