issues
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THE REMARKER • DECEMBER 14, 2018
GENGAP CLUB
Bridging the gap
REVELATION When confonted with gender issues, it's up to Marksmen to help take action.
A student-founded club has hosted a multitude of events for local and international women's issues.
W
omen’s issues. It’s a topic that Marksmen have decided to address. They have banded together, formed a club. And they're doing more than just talking. They’re taking action. ••• When sophomore Rahul Banerjee went to India with his family, he didn’t think it’d be different from any other time he had gone. “I had been there a lot of times,” Banerjee said. “It’s a great country, but there’s so much poverty there.” He had never really focused on what was happening in India, but this specific visit was eye-opening for him. “I saw people on the street,” Banerjee said. “Not just girls, but people in general, suffering.” Banerjee had a revelation of sorts. He realized not only how important education was but also how impactful it is to live without one. “[ ducation] is the defining factor that separated class in India,” Banerjee said. “And I didn’t realize that until that trip.” After better understanding the situation, Banerjee knew he had to do something. He just didn’t know what. Then, through his mom, he discov-
ered en ap. t first, he didn’t think it was connected to the issue he saw in India, but he realized how many women face problems just because of their gender. “My mom got into this nonprofit,” Baner ee said. “I found out how beneficial it is for the world, and I joined.” Banerjee went from being reluctant to join his mom’s organization to taking action. Soon, he started a club and brought in vice president junior Lee Schlosser. “Our goal is twofold,” Schlosser said. “We’re raising funds to donate to GenGap, to women in third-world countries, and then we’ll try to do more local stuff.” Banerjee explained that protecting women in third-world countries is an extremely necessary action. Some don’t have food. Some don't have shelter. Some don't have education. And some are daily victims of domestic violence. “The really beneficial part of this club is that we have such a strong nonprofit that’s worldwide-known helping us,” Banerjee said. “The primary goal is to help third-world countries.” The club recently attended a lunch to help raise funds for their cause. “We helped kids go set up a presentation there and get ready for that lunch,”
STORY Cristian Pereira, Trevor Crosnoe ARTWORK Matthew Coleman
Schlosser said. Any additional funds will go to benefiting the allas area, with a strong emphasis on education when deciding who to give the funds to. “We’re looking at an all-girls charter school right now,” Banerjee said. “The primary goal is third-world countries, so if the parent nonprofit wants to give the money to third-world countries, then we will give the money to third-world countries.” But even if most of the money goes to third-world countries, the club will still organize events to help locally. For example, they donated ten boxes of books from the Cecil and Ida Green Library. “We got the library to give us all their old books,” Schlosser said. “We sorted them, went through them, saw they were still current, and now we’re sending them to a couple schools throughout allas.” Schlosser and Banerjee are also planning on getting a donation box at a local restaurant. “We’re working on presenting our cause to Shake Shack or Fat Straws,” Banerjee said. Banerjee is excited about the potential of the club. “This club has only been around for three months,” Banerjee said. “I can’t wait to see where it goes in the next few years.”
By the numbers
35
percent
the percentage of women worldwide who have been subjected to physical or sexual violence
11
total community service hours attained by members of the club through the two events held so far
1.65 Billion the number of women and girls living daily with only $2 around the world Source: unesco.org
At a glance: GenGap Club When Where
Wednesday 9th Period Room C141