Women should sweep, grind chakkis for health: Rajasthan department's advice
While trying to educate readers about health, a Rajasthan education department ended up passing advice being slammed as sexist by many. Among other tips for staying fit, the booklet advised it is good exercise for women to grind chakki, churn curd, skip ropes and sweep floors. Nathmal Didel, Director of Secondary Education, said the intention wasn't to discriminate, it simply portrayed things done traditionally.
What was the controversy about?
The November issue of 'Shivira' carried several essays including a list of 14 ways to stay fit. Suggestions included refraining from alcohol and soft drinks, going on morning walks, cycling, swimming, horse-riding and more. It also advised eating in moderation and high consumption of green vegetables, grains, milk etc. For women, it recommended doing household chores to stay healthy.
Women are equally competent as men, magazine editor defends
"It's very shameful that the education department is reinforcing the same stereotypes that education is supposed to liberate us from," said Kavita Srivastava, People's Union for Civil Liberties secretary. Admitting the error, Didel, also the magazine's chief editor, explained how people "especially in rural areas" regularly engage in such physical exercise. Women aren't lagging behind men in any manner today, he insisted.
Not the first such incident
This isn't the first time an official publication has written controversial sexist statements. A Maharashtra textbook said parents of "ugly" and "disabled" girls have to pay high dowries. A CBSE textbook said 36"-24"-36" is the "best" shape of a female body. A Chhattisgarh textbook blamed more women in the workforce for rising unemployment among men. A Rajasthan textbook compared housewives to toiling donkeys.
