Case Study in Brief
Description
Gender Roles uses guided reflection, discussion, and interactive activities to explore gender stereotypes, roles, and norms shaping participants’ identities and behaviors. Participants critically examine their perceptions of gender, identify stereotypes in everyday contexts, and engage in activities designed to challenge and rethink these norms. Afterwards, they reflect on ways to actively push boundaries, envisioning and creating possibilities for more inclusive and diverse gender expressions. This reflective and interactive approach fosters critical thinking and increased awareness of gender roles and expectations.
Dispatch From the Field
Preparation (5 minutes)
Set up two or three separate spaces, each with a flipchart labeled clearly: “Act Like a Lady/Girl,” “Act Like a Man/Boy,”
Provide sticky notes and writing tools for participants.
Introduction (5 minutes)
Briefly introduce the purpose: to explore gender stereotypes and societal expectations associated with different genders.
Divide participants into boys and girls, asking each group to work on the opposite sex. (if relevant, a non-binary group can be added)
Group Reflection & Sticky Notes (10–15 minutes)
Guide participants through categories (e.g., colors, education, careers, toys, care roles, hobbies).
Participants individually reflect with closed eyes, noting their associations for the opposite gender on sticky notes.
Participants then attach these notes onto their group’s flipchart.
Group Presentation (10–15 minutes)
Reunite all groups and have each group present their findings, highlighting stereotypes and expectations associated with each gender.
Encourage brief enactments or demonstrations of these stereotypes to enhance understanding.
Discussion & Reflection (15–20 minutes)
Facilitate a discussion around personal experiences with gender expectations, stereotypes, barriers and their impacts.
Prompt participants with questions about gender norms related to emotions, career paths, societal pressures, and assumptions.
Conclusion (5 minutes)
Summarize key points discussed, encouraging final reflections and emphasizing the importance of challenging and rethinking gender norms for greater inclusivity.
Practical Details – Facilitator’s Notes
How did you modify the activity?
The activity was not majorly modified from the parent
How did you organize the space?
The activity took place in a usual classroom. It was not ideal, as the different groups could not be separated as desired.
Who did you work with?
Students between ages 14-17, the Matani Village Public School. The activity was part of the needs assessment
What resources did you use?
Flipcharts, markers, sticky notes, and writing tools.
What did you learn?
We divided girls and boys in separate groups to create a safer space to reflect on gender norms and explore barriers and privileges that may be experienced by different genders.
It was very interesting to see differences in perception and stereotypes between children of different backgrounds.
