Jamshedpur Activist Champions Gender Equality Through Village Cricket
A young social worker from Jamshedpur is tackling deep-rooted gender biases in a novel way. After years of promoting menstrual hygiene in government schools across the Kolhan region, Tarun Kumar has launched a fresh initiative. His new mission focuses on educating schoolboys about menstruation and cultivating respect for women and girls.
Tarun believes this approach is essential for building a safer society. He uses sporting activities as a primary tool to break down social taboos surrounding periods.
Cricket Becomes a Classroom for Change
Tarun Kumar, who also serves as the director of the Nischay Foundation, explained the strategy. His NGO, with a decade of experience in menstrual hygiene promotion, began organizing mixed-gender cricket matches in rural East Singhbhum about six months ago. The program has since expanded to neighboring districts.
The cricket matches operate under specific rules designed to ensure gender integration. Each eleven-member team includes six girls. When batting begins, the opening pair always consists of one girl and one boy. As wickets fall, players of different genders take turns entering the field.
"Similarly, the team which is fielding will have mixed gender bowlers. Sometimes, the umpires are also of mixed gender," Tarun stated. He chose cricket deliberately because the sport enjoys immense popularity among both boys and girls in rural areas.
Overcoming Initial Hurdles
The initiative faced some early challenges. Players from both genders exhibited initial inhibition during batting and fielding. Boys often used vocal and unfiltered language, while girls tended to be more organized and reserved in their behavior.
However, a positive transformation occurred over time. Tarun observed that boys gradually became more respectful and supportive. They even stopped mocking girls for their mistakes on the field.
Post-Match Discussions Tackle Tough Topics
The real learning happens after the game ends. Teammates gather to discuss issues directly impacting their lives. These conversations cover menstrual hygiene, period stigma, and various social taboos.
Boys share their conventional thoughts about girls and their physical changes. Girls discuss their position within a patriarchal society. These open dialogues aim to debunk myths and establish clear communication channels for a better future.
"Our early feedback suggests that the initiative helped both genders understand each other’s physical and emotional changes and become partners for gender equity, not just on the playground but also at home and school," Tarun Kumar remarked.
Voices from the Ground
Laxmi Mahato, a sixteen-year-old participant from Patamda, shared her perspective. She believes crimes against women and girls could drastically reduce in the future if society adopts more mixed-gender initiatives across different spheres.
Currently, the mixed-gender cricket program involves one hundred and fifty youngsters. This group includes seventy girls from areas like Patamda, Boram, Galudih, Ghatsila, and adjoining blocks. The NGO provides all necessary cricket kits to the players.
Through these combined efforts on the cricket field and in candid conversations, Tarun Kumar's work is slowly reshaping attitudes. He is fostering an environment where mutual respect becomes the foundation for community relationships in rural Jharkhand.
