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]
Model Answer
Introduction
The case study highlights a conflict in a rural village regarding girls’ education, where elders oppose it due to safety concerns and traditional beliefs. The situation escalates after a molestation incident, leading to clashes and a law-and-order issue. Addressing this requires a multifaceted approach to ensure girls’ safety while promoting their education.
Body
(a) Steps to Ensure Girls’ Safety Without Disrupting Their Education
(b) Managing and Molding Patriarchal Attitudes of Village Elders
Conclusion
By implementing these steps, it is possible to enhance girls’ safety and create an environment conducive to their education. Simultaneously, transforming patriarchal attitudes through dialogue and community involvement fosters intergenerational harmony and promotes long-term societal benefits.
Steps to Ensure Girls’ Safety Without Disrupting Their Education
**1. Strengthening Security Measures:
**2. Community Engagement and Awareness:
**3. Implementing Legal and Administrative Measures:
**4. Promoting Safe Infrastructure:
Managing and Molding Patriarchal Attitudes for Inter-Generational Harmony
**1. Engage in Dialogue and Mediation:
**2. Highlighting Positive Examples:
**3. Educational and Economic Incentives:
**4. Long-Term Cultural Change:
Recent Example: In 2023, the district of Gaya in Bihar faced similar challenges where resistance to girls’ education was prevalent. The administration responded by setting up dedicated police patrols and community safety workshops, leading to a decrease in incidents and increased support for girls’ education. The initiative also included engaging local leaders to advocate for change, which helped shift community attitudes over time.