You are recently posted as district development officer of a district. Shortly thereafter you found that there is considerable tension in the rural areas of your district on the issue of sending girls to schools. The elders of the village feel that many problems have come up because girls are being educated and they are stepping out of the safe environment of the household. They are of the view that girls should be quickly married off with minimum education. The girls are also competing for jobs after education, which have traditionally remained in boys’ exclusive domain, adding to unemployment amongst the male population. The younger generation feels that in the present era, girls should have equal opportunities for education employment, and other means of livelihood. The entire locality is divided between the elders and the younger lot and further sub-divided between sexes in both generations. You come to know that in Panchayat or in other local bodies or even in busy crossroads, the issue is being acrimoniously debated. One day you are informed that an unpleasant incident has taken place. Some girls were molested when they were en route to school. The incident led to clashes between several groups and a law and order problem has arisen. The elders after heated discussion have taken a joint decision not to allow girls to go to school and to socially boycott all such families, which do not follow their dictate.

a. What steps would you take to ensure girls’ safety without disrupting their education?

b. How would you manage and mold the patriarchic attitude of the village elders to ensure harmony in inter-generational relations? (250 words) [UPSC 2015]

Roadmap for Answer Writing

1. Introduction

• Context: Introduce the situation regarding tension in rural areas over girls’ education, highlighting the conflict between village elders and the younger generation.
• Thesis Statement: Emphasize the need for a balanced approach to ensure girls’ safety while promoting their education.

2. A. Steps to Ensure Girls’ Safety Without Disrupting Their Education

1. Enhance Security Measures:
   • Action: Increase police presence and patrolling in areas where girls commute to school. Install CCTV cameras in strategic locations.
   • Justification: This will deter potential offenders and improve safety (UN Women, 2020).
2. Safety Awareness Programs:
   • Action: Collaborate with local NGOs to conduct workshops on personal safety and self-defense for girls and their families.
   • Justification: Educating the community about safety measures empowers girls and encourages reporting of incidents (WHO, 2019).
3. Community Involvement:
   • Action: Engage village elders and influential figures in discussions about the importance of girls’ education.
   • Justification: Highlighting the benefits of educating girls can help shift perspectives and build community support (World Bank, 2018).
4. Safe Transportation:
   • Action: Arrange for reliable transportation options for girls, such as school buses or designated escorts.
   • Justification: Ensures safe travel to school, reducing risks associated with commuting.

3. B. Managing and Molding Patriarchal Attitudes of Village Elders

1. Dialogue and Communication:
   • Action: Foster open discussions with village elders to understand their concerns and perspectives.
   • Justification: Engaging in respectful dialogue can help address misconceptions about girls’ education (UNESCO, 2021).
2. Empowerment Through Education:
   • Action: Organize programs showcasing successful women who have benefited from education.
   • Justification: Demonstrating positive outcomes challenges traditional gender roles and fosters support for girls’ education.
3. Sensitization Campaigns:
   • Action: Conduct campaigns that promote gender equality and women’s rights, involving local leaders to reinforce the message.
   • Justification: Local leaders can effectively communicate the benefits of gender equality to their peers.
4. Inclusive Decision-Making:
   • Action: Encourage participation from both generations in community decision-making processes.
   • Justification: Fostering collaboration helps bridge gaps between traditional and modern viewpoints.

4. Relevant Facts and Sources

• Gender Equality in Education: The UN emphasizes that educating girls leads to improved socio-economic conditions for communities (UNESCO, 2021).
• Community Engagement: Research shows that community involvement is key to successful educational initiatives (World Bank, 2018).
• Safety and Reporting: Studies indicate that safety awareness and self-defense training can significantly reduce incidents of violence against women (WHO, 2019).

5. Conclusion

• Summary: Recap the importance of ensuring girls’ safety and promoting their education while addressing patriarchal attitudes. Emphasize the need for community engagement and dialogue to foster harmony and mutual understanding.