PVPF 2024

Boys can Cook, Ladies can Play Cricket, Respect the third Gender: UNESCO and NCERT's New Comic Book for Kids Challenges Stereotypes

Break stereotypes with UNESCO's comic 'Let's Move Forward.' Explore 32 pages challenging gender norms, promoting health, and empowering kids
on Jan 16, 2024

The 32-page comic book, which was recently uploaded to the Union Ministry of Education's website for students to read, also advises children not to fall for misleading advertisements about beauty products or bodybuilding supplements, which can be harmful to their health.

Jatin to Vikram: “I often help my mother in the kitchen and enjoy it.. but if I share this with the class, students will make fun of me as women are supposed to do all the cooking and cleaning.”
Vikram: “No, Jatin. I also love to cook and help maa in the kitchen. These are gender stereotypes that suggest only women should cook. Cooking is a basic life skill and can be pursued as a hobby or profession both by men and women.”

– Reena: “I enjoy playing cricket with my brother but my grandfather tells me to play with dolls instead, which upsets me, so I often get in conflict with him.”
Teacher: “It is a common misconception that cricket can be played by men only. This is a kind of gender discrimination..”

Boys can cook and assist their mothers in the kitchen, girls can play cricket, and transgenders deserve equal respect in society and should not be teased because of their gender — these and other topics are covered in a one-of-a-kind comic book "Let's Move Forward" released by UNESCO Delhi in collaboration with the NCERT and the Union Ministry of Education to raise awareness about several taboos and shatter stereotypes among schoolchildren.

The colourful comic book covers eleven themes, including growing up healthy, emotional well-being and mental health, interpersonal relationships, values, gender equality, health and sanitation, substance abuse prevention and management, reproductive health and HIV prevention, menstrual hygiene, safety and security against sexual violence, internet safety, and responsible social media behaviour.

Eric Falt, director and representative of UNESCO in India, Bhutan, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka, stated that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development demonstrates that "quality education, good health and well-being, gender equality, and human rights are intrinsically intertwined." The NCERT led the development of the School Health Programme curriculum and resource materials on adolescent health and well-being in collaboration with United Nations agencies and other partners. This comic book captures the idea of enjoyable learning while also aiming to increase adolescents' knowledge and understanding.

Dharmendra Pradhan, the Union Minister of Education, stated that "good health is a prerequisite for national development."

As a result, teenage health and well-being are the top priorities in national development initiatives. teaching and health are intricately intertwined, and schools are great settings for health teaching and promotion programmes. They must be addressed in educational curricula and pedagogy."
The 32-page comic book, which was recently uploaded to the Union Ministry of Education's website for students to read, also advises children not to fall for misleading advertisements about beauty products or bodybuilding supplements, which can be harmful to their health.

Sample this: “This is a pamphlet about a protein powder which helps in building muscles. I am planning to buy it,” says Jatin, to which her friend Reena replies: “Such advertisements are misleading and make false promises. My friend once got cheated into buying a beauty cream that promised to make her fair.. what matters is our inner beauty and strength.”

Moral of the story: Our beauty is determined by how we perceive ourselves and the ideals we hold.

The comic book also teaches school leaders and administrators the importance of having wheelchair-accessible ramps and other facilities for children with impairments, with the message that "it is important to be sensitive to others around us." We may play a crucial part in helping children with disabilities by knowing their needs and making them feel included."

Another issue of sexual misbehaviour and social media behaviour is explored in the narrative of Divya, who begins missing school after a peon touches her improperly and sends her a friend request on social media using a forged ID. Her parents, unlike most parents, do not remain silent; instead, they notify the principal and take legal action against the peon.
"Students should have a basic understanding of violence, abuse and unsafe situations and develop effective ways to respond and seek help," according to the moral of the tale.

Another intriguing theme in the comic book is to educate children on the importance of accepting transgender and other third-gender people.

When a girl sees a bunch of transgender people begging on the road, she questions, "Why are they begging?" Her mother responds, "Our society does not provide them with equal status or opportunities." The girl, seeing a group of lads ridiculing transgender people, says, "It is not funny to tease someone because of their gender. "They deserve the same respect as everyone else." She then has the males apologise to them.

The narrative concludes with the following message: "It is critical to identify gender discrimination and speak out against it in order to dispel misconceptions and stigma. We must let each individual to peacefully embrace their unique identity. We must promote transgender rights and encourage others to speak up and alter the thoughts of those who are opposed to transgender individuals."

The comic books also address a variety of health-related issues, including reproductive health, menstrual hygiene, the usage of filthy sanitary napkins, and HIV awareness, among others.
For example, the book includes a chapter about Anand, a football player who begins smoking and using drugs to alleviate test stress.

The novel effectively addresses the topic of gender discrimination through the story of Reena, who is prevented by her grandfather from going out and playing until late. But, because to her school's encouragement, she is later named team captain and receives a scholarship.