LUCKNOW: As the bell rings for break between lectures, girls flock the lush green garden of Awadh Girls’ Postgraduate College (AGPGC) to enjoy the winter sun.
With elections around the corner, like any other college campus in the city, here too the regular discussions on curriculum, fashion and movies have been replaced by poll issues, particularly related to girls and women in various strata of the society.
At one corner, Kulsum Siddiqui, a BA III student, is sitting with her friends, when TOI catches up with the group for some political ‘gupshup’.
Raising concern over the high rate of girls dropping out of schools, she said, “The real problem is not being solved by anyone. Many girls of poor families drop out after high school due to financial reasons. Besides free education to girls till post graduation, a comprehensive socio-political strategy is required to address the issue.”
Agreeing with Kulsum, Anagh Mishra, another BA III student, said dropping out of girls was not the only problem.
“Even families which can afford education for their girls restrict them from opting for various professions based on field work on the ground that they are risky for a woman in a male dominated society,” she said.
Areeba Mazhar, BA II, who was also part of the group, said that the government should begin counselling centres in colleges to guide parents that every profession is suitable for women.
Aakhya Shukla, an MA final year student, said that a lasting change in politics and policies on women will come when women get reservation in legislatures.
“All parties should come together to implement the Women Reservation Bill. Once implemented, it will give confidence and motivation to women.” Ishmeet Kohli, BA I, who also aspires to be an entrepreneur said, “Not only in education, career choice and politics, there should be policies supporting women to become entrepreneurs. There are several government schemes for providing capital to the women entrepreneurs, but there is a need to create more awareness about them particularly in the rural areas.”
“Thik hai ye grant, loan, counselling, job, equal status sab mil bhi gaya to bhi safety ka kya (grants, loans and counselling, job and equal opportunities are fine but what about the security),” said Huda Beg, a B Com III student. “I feel scared when I step out, especially at night. I believe the entire city should have proper street lights and CCTV cameras,” she said.
Azma Beg, another B.Com II student, drew attention towards another issue. “One of the major problems women face is the absence of clean washrooms at public places and markets,” she said.
