Lok Sabha Question No. 3209 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-06
Subject: Gender Champions
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shyam Yadav Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3209

TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2021

## GENDER CHAMPIONS

## 3209. SHRI SHYAM SINGH YADAV:

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the gender champions have been identified in each and every school and vocational/skill development institute by the concerned authorities and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) if  not,  the  reasons  therefor  and  the  steps  being  taken  to  identify  gender champions;
- (c) the details of authorities authorised to identify gender champions; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to improve gender sensitivity among youth?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (c) In order to move towards a gender just society that treats women equally, the Ministry  of  Women  and  Child  Development  (MWCD)  in  collaboration  with  Ministry  of Education  initiated  Gender  Champions  as  responsible  leaders  who  will  facilitate  an enabling environment within their schools/colleges/academic institutions where girls are treated with dignity and respect. Gender Champions can be both boys and girls above 16 years of age enrolled in educational institutions. They are intended to strengthen the potential of young girls and boys to advocate for gender equality and monitor progress towards gender justice.

The  University  Grants  Commission  (UGC)  uploads  advisory  on  UGC  website twice in a year to the Vice Chancellors of all the Universities/Institutions with the request to  implement  'Guidelines  of  Gender  Champions  in  Educational  Institutions'  in  their Universities/Institutions and  also in the affiliated colleges.  Advisory uploaded  is available on the UGC website www.ugc.ac.in.

The Head of the Institution is authorized for selection of the Gender Champions.

(d)       Government  of  India  has  given  utmost  priority  to  improve  gender  sensitivity among youth, reducing disparity between men and women in various sectors such as health,  education,  socio-economic  aspects,  etc.   Some  major  initiatives  taken  by Government  of  India  for  removing  the  gender  gap  in  all  aspect  are  as  follows:

- o Beti Bachao Beti Padhao ensures the protection, survival and education of the girl child. o Scheme for Adolescent Girls aims to empower girls in the age group 1118  and  to  improve  their  social  status  through  nutrition,  life  skills,  home skills and vocational training o Working  Women  Hostel  ensures  the  safety  and  security  for  working women. o Samagra  Shiksha  Abhiyan  (SSA)  is an  overarching programme  for improving school effectiveness measured in terms of equal opportunities for schooling and equitable learning outcomes. SSA supports the States and UTs in implementation of Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009. o The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has developed syllabus and textbooks across the subjects to promote gender sensitization in the school curriculum. NCERT has also developed training material for teacher educators on Gender Equality and Empowerment and conducts  research  and  sensitization  programs  on  gender  issues  on regular basis. School  Health  Programme  under  Ayushman  Bharat  is  an  initiative  to health promotion  activities.  A  module  on  'Gender  Equality'  has  been  included under  the  same  to  increase  awareness  and  address  concerns  on  the
- o strengthen the preventive and promotive aspects through subject.

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