Gender inequality in India
It is impossible to think about the welfare of the world unless the condition of women is improved -Swami Vivekananda
Presented by :DIVYA.S
1st MADepartment of Studies and Research in
EnglishTumkur University
WOMEN
Women are drawers of water, hewers of wood, labourers and preparers of food, bearers of children, educators, health care providers, producers and decision-makers.
Although they are central to caring for families and communities, to production and reproduction, they are accorded unequal status.
WOMEN
Throughout the world the are overworked and undervalued.
Their subordination makes it more difficult for them to cope with the many demands made upon them whether of physical, social, or emotional nature.
Some questions ???
Why only Sita had to give Agni Pariksha and not Lord Rama?
Why do only sisters, daughters, mothers and the wives have to do fasting for the good of their fellow men and not the other way round?
Why the Dulha walk ahead of Dulhan during marriage phera?
Why can’t boys bring dowry like the girls do?
Why can’t a girl inherit the property of her father?
Gender Disparity
From ancient to present Women in ancient India were held in
high esteem The position of a woman in the
Vedas and the Upanishads was that of a mother (maata) or goddess (Devi).
In the Manusmriti, woman was considered as a precious being
In the early Vedic age, girls were looked after with care.
The practice of polygamy deteriorated the status of woman
Gender Disparity
In the medieval period, the practices of purdha system, dowry and sati came into being
With the passage of time, the status of woman was lowered.
After the development of science and technology, female foeticide is being practiced on a large scale. This has led to a drop in the female ratio.
According to the census 2011, the sex ratio in India is 940 females to 1,000 males. Dowry have become common.
Female infanticide practices in few areas
Infanticide
Sex ratio940/1000ReasonsMale Heir for the family Huge dowry Continued financial support to
girl childPovertyDomestic violence Caste system
Malnutrition
ReasonsThe UN estimates that 2.1
million Indian children die before reaching the age of 5 every year – four every minute
Mostly from preventable illnesses such as diarrhoea, typhoid, malaria, measles and pneumonia.
Every day 1,000 Indian children die because of diarrhoea alone.
At work
Working environmentUnequal wagesUndignified treatmentWorking in odd hoursSexual harassmentHigher working hoursEngaged in harmful industries Occupational hazards working
roughly twice as many hours as men Nearly 27 percentage are accounted
by unpaid activities.
Violence against women Forced in to subordinate position Every 42 minutes a sexual
harassment occurs. Every 43 minutes a woman
kidnapped. Every 93 minutes a woman is burnt a
very dowry. Pre quarter of reported rapes involve
girls under the age of 16 years.Restricted out-side participation Trafficking / selling of girl child Every 26 minutes women is molested. Every 34 minutes a rape take place.
Economic Constraints Kept as dependantsNo equal property rights - As
against lawLoans of men is paid back by
womenEconomic uncertaintyDenial in inheritance of
properties to orphaned / deserted
Lack of Education
74.04% only, male 75.96% female 54.28%
Poor literacy – gender gap in literacy rate
No higher education – up to Higher secondary
Discriminative socialization process
Customary practices In household activities only
(boys not allowed)Restricted to play Isolation / separation in
schools/public placesRestricted to move freely
Detrimental cultural practicesAfter marriage – husbands are
dominatingDominance from In-laws family /
membersNever / rarely considered for any
decision makingCan not support her parentsLimitations in continuing relationships
with brothers / sisters / relativesChild / Early marriagePatriarchal attitudesNot able to continue girl/boy friends
friendship after marriage
Social Advancement of women
Self AdvancementAdvancement as a groupAdvancement of communityEconomic advancementPsychological advancementSocial advancementPolitical advancementEducational AdvancementTechnological advancement
Strategies for advancement of women
LiteracyFormal Education
Give greater employment opportunity
Reservation / expenditure or provision of services/ special provision like construction.
All rights, legal measuresConsolidate the basic literacy skills
at speaking, reading, and writing and problem solving at the time.
Sustain the learning environment
Continuing educationWomen learners educate their children.Human rights educationTo take control of their circumstancesAchieve their own goals, helping
themselves, enhance their quality of lifePolitical participationKnowledge on all development activitiesHealth care / NutritionProblems of early marriageMother and child health care… etc
Collaborators of Social advancement of women
NGOs Policy makers Local leaders Information disseminators Health care providers Teachers Family members