Article

Men Really Are From Mars!

Recently an international NGO in Dhaka organized a gender training programme for government officials (18 female and 15 male). One session was a short exercise.

Each male was given a pink card and each female a blue card. Males were asked, “What would I do if I were a female” and females were asked, “What would I do if I were a male”.

In the answers, the gender divisions of thoughts and opinions were very apparent. The majority of men would like women to be ideal housewives and mothers, and do some social work during their leisure time. Women would like men to empathize with the constraints faced by women and work together for the promotion of equality and an inclusive society.

Here are some of the quotes:

Women said:

If I were a man, I would:

• try to understand constraints faced by women and try to resolve them

• try to improve the social status of women, promote gender equality and facilitate an inclusive society
  view woman as ‘human beings’

• stop all kinds of violence against women

• be able to move around freely and see the whole world

Men said:

If I were a woman, I would:

• become an ideal housewife and mother

• do social work

• do nothing

• become Prime Minister