Gender Sensitisation Workshop Held for First-Year Dental Students at AIMS
AIMS, Kochi | October 28, 2024: A Gender Sensitisation Workshop was conducted for the first-year students of Amrita School of Dentistry, batch 2024–2029, at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), Kochi, on October 28, 2024. The two-and-a-half-hour session was conducted by Radhika Shetty from the Center for Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality (CWEGE), with support from Aishwarya Ravi. The workshop was attended by 47 students.
The programme was organised in response to the need for greater awareness of gender roles and stereotypes within the dental education and professional context. The initiative also aligned with the broader emphasis on gender sensitisation in higher education.
The session was designed specifically for dental students and explored how social expectations around gender can influence educational choices, professional aspirations and career pathways. It encouraged students to reflect on stereotypes and consider how greater awareness, encouragement and equal opportunities can contribute to gender harmony.
Compassion as the Foundation for Gender Harmony
The workshop began by exploring compassion as a foundation for gender equality and gender harmony. Students reflected on the life and humanitarian contributions of Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma) and how compassion can serve as a guiding principle for creating a more equitable and harmonious society.
The session then introduced students to the concepts of gender and sex, along with gender stereotypes and gender roles. Through discussion and activities, students examined how many gender roles are shaped by society and culture rather than being predetermined, and how such expectations can be questioned and transformed.
Understanding Gender and Sex
Students explored the distinction between gender and sex and examined the impact of assigning roles based solely on gender. The discussions encouraged participants to identify areas in their personal, academic and professional lives that may benefit from greater reflection and reconsideration.
By the end of this segment, students were encouraged to:
Understand the difference between gender and sex.
Recognise the negative impact of assigning roles based solely on gender.
Identify areas where existing gender-based assumptions and expectations may need to be reconsidered.
Daya, Damam and Danam
An interactive segment introduced the concept of “DA DA DA – Daya, Damam, Danam”, focusing on three values: Daya (compassion), Damam (self-restraint) and Danam (charity or generosity).
Students were encouraged to reflect on their own lives and identify three practical ways in which they could incorporate these values into their daily interactions and contribute towards building a more compassionate and gender-harmonious society.
Building Awareness: Why I Chose Dentistry
The workshop also encouraged students to reflect on their career choices through a segment titled “Building Awareness – Why I Chose Dentistry.”
Students were invited to consider questions such as:
Why did I choose dentistry?
What do I want to do after completing the course?
What challenges do I foresee during my studies?
Do I want to become a practicing dentist?
What challenges might I face in continuing this career after completing my education?
As part of the reflection exercise, students were also encouraged to identify two practicing dentists they would like to interview to gain a deeper understanding of the profession, its opportunities and challenges, including challenges that women may encounter in pursuing and continuing a career in dentistry.
Encouraging Equal Opportunities in Professional Life
The workshop concluded with a reflection on the importance of providing individuals with the opportunity to pursue any skill, profession or role irrespective of gender. Students were encouraged to recognise that with appropriate training, support, encouragement and willingness, professional skills can be developed by anyone.
The session provided first-year dental students with an opportunity to examine gender stereotypes, reflect on their professional aspirations and understand the role of compassion, self-restraint and generosity in building a more inclusive and harmonious society.
