Dharamsala, February 5 – In the days ahead, gender issues are likely to hog the limelight as the Department of Finance (DOF) steps up efforts to sensitise the matter.
As a part of its drive to raise gender awareness in personal and professional life, the Social and Resource Development Fund section of the DOF recently organised a “Gender Sensitisation Workshop” in Dehra Dun.
Twenty-four participants, representing departments of the Central Tibetan Administration, non-government organisations and college students, took part in this workshop.
Women constitute more than 44 percent of the Tibetan diaspora.
“Although the gender equality may appear picture-perfect in our community, on close examination, one can find areas for improvements”, says Tenzin Tsultrim, Environment and Development Desk of the Department of the Information and International Relations (DIIR), who also participated in the workshop.
Many consider the gender issue as outlandish as women in the exile Tibetan community enjoy a high degree of equality with men.
“There is no denying that women in our society have equal opportunities as men. They however need to be encouraged to venture out of their traditional stereotyped roles.”
While some sections of the community demand special rights or provisions for women, there are others who refuse the same, saying, they are an insult to their capabilities.
The alarming low fertility-rate and the high percentage of spinsters in the exile Tibetan community have been attributed to, among many other causes, the high rate of women’s education and those engaged in professional career.
