Jaipur: Rajasthan’s education department has advised women to do household chores in order to stay fit. The official magazine of the education department has also suggested women to refrain from not just alcohol but even soft drinks.
The education department publishes a monthly magazine called ‘Shivira’ for school teachers. In the latest issue for November, the magazine has carried an essay on how to stay fit.
In the article, the writer has mentioned various physical activities including sweeping and mopping floor and grinding flour in a ‘chakki’ as means for women to stay fit.
In a move that can be considered gender biased, Rajasthan’s education department has advised women to do household chores in order to stay fit.
The official magazine of the education department has also asked women to refrain from not just drinking alcohol but also soft drinks.
The education department publishes a monthly magazine called Shivira for schoolteachers which usually carries articles on education policies, departmental matters and information of general interest. In its November edition, the magazine has carried an essay on how to stay fit.
In the article, Swasth rehne ke saral upaay, the writer said women should go for early morning walks, running, cycling, swimming or other sports which are good for health. The writer also includes sweeping and mopping floor and grinding ‘chakki’ as ‘suitable’ physical activities to stay fit.
The reason this article invited criticism is because the household chores have been suggested exclusively for women.
The article covers fitness mantra in 14 points emphasising on a simple lifestyle, a healthy diet and the virtues of exercise.
Under the third aspect, the article says, “Walking, running, cycling, swimming, horse riding or any sport are good physical activities for anyone. For women, grinding flour, (chakki-peesna), churning butter from milk (bilona bilona), filling water pitchers, sweeping and mopping floors (jhaadu-pochha), skipping and household chores can be good ways of exercise to stay fit,” it said.
This ‘sexist health advice’ aimed only at women is not the first instance of education department’s gender bias under the BJP government.
