As an IDP facilitator of gender, I too often find myself conforming to gender norms that I might not always want to conform to. I paint my nails, I try to smile more often, I wear heels, I squeal at baby pictures (although I might not necessarily feel like squealing). I too am having trouble ‘Breaking The Box’. Maybe, it’s too late for me to break the box completely; there are things that I have been taught that I would feel completely uncomfortable not doing ever again.

Through this event, the conversation that ensued the event, and my role as a facilitator I understand now that there are certain actions and everyday things that we all do that perpetuate the gender restrictions.

I think the event did a good job introducing gender norms and restrictively to people who might not be as exposed to these notions. First we must understand what society expects (the two boxes; man and woman) to learn how to be more inclusive of other people who identify with genders that do not fit into man and woman.