Where GBV Breaks Mental Peace.

In today’s story, I want to show how I faced GBV at my workplace, how I protested against it, and how my students were inspired by my decisions and brought about some changes—even if they were small.

There are 32 staff members working in my institution. Among them, only six are women. Very often, we are neglected and criticised by some male teachers. Though the number of such people is very low, only 4 or 5 but they hamper our workflow and eventually break our mental peace.

I came from a general education background and did not know much about madrasa education. I was actually very shocked when I found out that I was selected for a madrasa. I started searching about the system, rules and regulations of madrasa education and their teachers.I found that there was no official difference between madrasa teachers and general school teachers. So, I joined my first full-time workplace confidently.

Normally, I don’t wear a hijab. But, I started wearing a hijab with salwar suits for maintaining a decent and professional work environment. However, some teachers told me to wear a burkha. I tried not to pay heed to them and did not give any response. I knew that there was no official dress code for this job, so I decided to dress as I wished.

One day, my principal summoned me to his office and told me that some teachers had objections to my dressing and that I should wear a burkha. This was one of the reasons why I feared to join here as i thought i might have to do some things that I did not support. But I replied, “Sir, do you have any objection to my dressing? I don’t wear a burkha, but I try to dress myself decently. Besides, there is no such rule that female teachers must wear a burkha.”

He replied, “Yes, you are right. I can’t force you to wear a burkha. But if you wish, you can wear one, because some teachers have objected to this.”

Then I replied, “Sir, please don’t take me wrong, but I need some time for that. I need to adapt to this environment and system and adjust with it.”

The principal did not say anything further and agreed with me. I left his office with satisfaction that at least the principal supported my point of view.

One day, two female teachers along with a male teacher called me and said, “Madam, it is a religious institution. Every female teacher here wears a burkha. We think you should follow this too. Some people from this locality have complained about it to us.”

I felt a bit embarrassed, but I was ready to answer them. I replied, “Please don’t mind, but I don’t like changing my lifestyle for others. Other female teachers wear a burkha because they are comfortable with it, but I am not. And sir, you male teachers can wear whatever you want, so why can’t I do the same?”

One of them replied, “We don’t have any problem with you, but people have complained about it.”

I replied again, “Then you can reply to them with what I said to you or support me in your words but please don’t mention this issue again."

However, I felt relieved after answering them, and they stopped talking behind my back after that.

Then, day by day, I started realising that female teachers are treated differently. The madrasa is a four-storeyed building of its own. The administration room, teachers’ room, and students’ common room are on the first floor. There is a separate washroom and prayer room for female teachers on the second floor.

Though the teachers’ room is meant for everyone, some male teachers do not like female teachers spending time there.

When I was very new, some of them told me, “Madam, you have a separate room on the second floor. You can go there.”

I always love to explore what is happening all over the country and the world and talk about it. But other female teachers are not interested in these discussions. So, I find myself comfortable in the teachers’ common room, where I can talk with like-minded people.

One day, I was reading a book while a senior male teacher was listening to something loudly on his mobile phone. I told him to lower the volume, but he did not hear me. I requested him again, but it did not work. Suddenly, another senior Hujur burst out at me and said that when I talk, it disturbs them, and that my presence there disturbs them. And, why don't i go to the “selected room.

I replied, “Hujur, there is no restriction about where I should sit or not. So, I will always sit here.” One of my colleagues supported me and said, “Hujur, why are you talking to her like this? She didn’t say anything wrong to you, and you can’t decide where she should sit.”

He replied angrily, “You might have no problem, but I have a problem. You can dance with her if you want, but I don’t agree with bringing them here.”

I felt extremely shocked and insulted and couldn’t even express myself. I live in a society full of violence, but never had anyone dared to talk to me like this. I just sat there, thinking about what he had said and why. After a few minutes, I left the room and went to the vice-principal’s office. I complained about what had happened in the common room and what he had said about the female teachers.

Many teachers told me not to complain officially, but I thought that if I didn’t take any step, he would become more aggressive and start thinking that he was right. The next day, the principal summoned him and warned him not to do such things again.

One female teacher later told me, “We are disappointed with him too, but we never had the courage to complain against him. Thanks to you for standing up for yourself and for us as well."

Thus, days are passing. We are facing accusations, humiliation, underestimation, unnecessary complaints, and many more challenges. But we don’t lose hope. We answer and protest through our hard work, confidence, and strong motivation.

I felt so lucky when some girl students from class nine came to me one day and told me that I am their favourite teacher. I asked with a smile, “Why?”

They replied, “Because after you came, we can talk about our demands in the madrasa and at home. We can complain when any teacher beats us. We can ask for your help whenever we need it. You are like one of us—you teach us, guide us, and smile with us. You teach us not to bow to injustice and not to do any work that our mind does not accept.”

This is my work environment, where gender-based violence breaks mental peace. But it can distract us for a while; it cannot defeat us. We women are strong enough to answer them, and it is our right to live life in our own way.