PAPER FOR THE GENDER CONFERENCE 2-3 FEBRUARY 2021 ROLE OF EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY FOR GENDER EMPOWERMENT

Gender empowerment is to make the people of all genders socially, psychologically, physically, politically, financially
and spiritually sound; without any discrimination. Conventionally and traditionally the term ‘empowerment’ is usually
co-related to the women, though it has an impact on other marginalized genders in a distinct social or political context.
To overcome obstacles such as poverty, gender-discrimination, racial-discrimination, etc. there is a need to find an
appropriate solution to tackle them.
Education has always played a vital role in overcoming various problems in all spheres of life. It has helped to ventout
one’s thoughts and emotions by means of healthy criticism and productive interaction. Both, at national and
international front, it is seen that education has been instrumental in bridging the gap between the vulnerable and
non-vulnerable groups.
Just as education, technology has also helped to change the outlook of individuals with respect to gender
discrimination. With the advent of new ICTs, the internet and mobile phones in particular, have transformed the timespace
discrimination. It has not only been effective in economic, social and political spheres of various societies, but
also helped the marginalized groups to become more democratic and inclusive in the mainstream. Hence, it has
provided a new identity and voice to the individuals irrespective of their social or economic status.
Gender Sensitization can be incorporated in classrooms by the teachers while interacting with the students. It would
promote equality amongst the students and broaden their vision too.
To conclude, empowerment has many synonyms and meanings. Human empowerment dwells in identifying one’s
potentials, striving towards one’s goals effortlessly and achieving the set goals.