Gender

A workshop on this topic is a staple of Basic Training organised by the CNA. Wherever we go, we run up against the patriarchy, the position of women in society, as well as the position of sexual and other minorities and marginalised groups. When we manage to improve their positions, then as a society we will be making a leap towards lasting peace.

The objectives of this workshop include raising awareness about existing discrimination based on gender identity and the interconnectedness between the discrimination of women and men, re- examining socially prescribed roles, recognising your own responsibility in maintaining prescribed roles, empowerment for action for change, etc.

Game

Tram

Type of exercise: Role play

Duration: 30–45 minutes

Materials: Five chairs

Exercise description

Set up five chairs next to each other (like seats on a tram) so that the whole group can see them. The second and fourth chair are reserved for women and the other three for men. Ask three men (volunteers) to imagine they are on public transport (a tram) and to sit on the chairs (the first, third and fifth) in typical male poses.

Then ask two women to join the scene and sit down in typical female poses. Ask the observers to keep quiet and note down their observations if they need to. Let the scene go on long enough for the actors to become uncomfortable and start interacting, and then let the interaction develop for a bit (two or three minutes).

Ask one of the three male volunteers to return to the plenary and ask for another female volunteer from the group. The actors are not tasked with taking on the role of the opposite gender. Ask them to sit in the chairs so that the women first take up typical male poses and the men take up typical female poses. Let the scene last a few minutes for interaction to develop. Ask the observers to comment on what they noticed and compare the scene now with the one before. Ask the actors what it was like taking on the roles.

Discrimination against Women and Discrimination against Men

Type of exercise: Work in small groups, presentations in plenary

Duration: 65–75 minutes

Materials: Flipchart paper, markers

Exercise description

The participants split into four groups: two of just men and two of just women. One men’s and one women’s group (independently) write out examples of discrimination of women in society on their flipchart paper; and the other women’s and men’s group write out examples of discrimination against men (about 15 minutes). Then each group presents their work and is asked questions for clarification.

Discussion in the plenary

Suggested questions for the discussion:

“How does this seem to you? How do you usually react in situations when you are discriminated against? Or when you witness the discrimination of someone else?”

Note

In this case, the order of the groups presenting could be significant. Women often approach this task very seriously, while giggling can be heard from both male groups, and especially the one working on discrimination against men. Therefore, starting with the female group that worked on discrimination against women can help lend seriousness to the topic. Next, the male group working on the same topic presents its work. Then the male group working on discrimination against men presents, followed by the female group working on the same topic.

What Can We Do?

Type of exercise: Work in small groups, presentations in plenary

Duration: 70 minutes

Materials: Flipchart paper, markers

Exercise description

Work in four mixed groups of about five participants each. The task is to discuss what they could do to reduce discrimination against women and against men and to note down major points that they will later present to the others. The time for group work is about 20 minutes. Then each group presents their work and is asked questions for clarification. The presentations are followed by a discussion in the plenary.

Discussion in the plenary