Analytical Study of Gender Inequality in India

1. Introduction:

The meaning of gender inequality is discrimination between the genders from a social, economic, political and educational perspective. Generally, this term is defined as discrimination against women and not treating them equally. Women are being discriminated against almost in all fields due to their female nature. In India, a discriminatory attitude towards any sex has been existing for generations and affects the lives of both sexes.

In India women are worshipped as Devi after this they are deprived of basic human rights. World economic forum indicates that India is one of the worst countries in the world in terms of gender inequality. Though after the independence the status of women in society has improved, it is not enough. This paper mainly has focused on social, economic and educational inequality. And also deals with the question that what are the useful remedies which can decrease this gender gap?

 2. Definition and concept of gender Inequality:

Gender is a Socio-Cultural term which refers socially defines roles and behaviours of male and female in a society. Basically, it is the division of works and duties to perform these works in society. This type of Socio-cultural discrimination with the women deprives them of their Constitutional and human rights. It means Gender is a human-made concept, whereas, Sex is a physiological and Biological phenomenon that defines man and women.  The attitude of the society towards women has been as they are the weaker sex. And always are considered Subordinate to the man. Therefore they always have been the subject of Exploitation.

 3. Position in India:

The condition of women in India in Ancient time was miserable. Women were exploited and degraded as an animal. Sati Pratha is an example where the woman was compelled to burn with her husband. Though this lethal practice was prohibited by Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987  under this act Voluntary and forced burning of a woman was prohibited. Manu states that “women must not be allowed to live alone. No doubt that the status of women has been improved in Contemporary society in comparison to the Ancient and medieval era. But it is wrong to say that they are not being exploited at all.

According to the world economic forum, India is among the worst countries under Gender Gap Index 2019. The parameters of this index are Educational attainment, Economic Participation, Health and survival and political empowerment. In this Index India’s rank is second-worst among the BRICS countries in the health and survival parameters. That means life expectancy for women in India is very low which should be a matter of concern for our Government.

 

4. Different forms of inequality: 

Gender Inequality is a vast phenomenon it includes different aspects of human life. Women are discriminated in most of these aspects. The major fields where women have become the subject of discrimination are as follows;

 

4.1. Economic Inequalities:

Traditionally the perception is that the man is responsible for all domestic expenses of the family and the woman is supposed to work as a housewife. However, this perception has changed and women start to indulge in economic activities. But in the economic sectors, women have to face gender-based discrimination. Mostly women suffer from wage inequality in man and woman. They work till late hours and paid low wages in comparison to a man. According to the research study of Rao more than 70% of women are indulging in

Agriculture works in rural areas. But they perform irrigation, winnowing, transplanting and harvesting. When the crops are ready for selling in the market mostly these are sold by men and they get money.

A study suggests that about 70% the land is owned by men. However, women have equal rights under the law to own property. Hindu Succession Act of 2005 provides equal inheritance rights ancestral and jointly owned property.

 

4.2. Educational inequalities:

In rural India, girls are less educated than boys. Investment of money in girl’s education seems useless in a major part of Indian society. According to the statics, the dropout rate of girls in the transition from primary to secondary education is more than boys.

A study was conducted by Gaurav sidhhu in 2011 which investigated the statistics of dropout in the secondary school transition and its contributing factors in rural India. This study indicated that 20% of children dropout at secondary level in which 70% were girls and also highlighted common reasons to stop girls from attending schools were the long-distance travel and Social reasons. Generally, parents do not allow their girls to go to schools by covering long distance due to security reasons. Social factors include the patriarchal thinking of the society that the boy will lead the family and the girl will go after marriage and her work is to learn house-wife activities.

 

4.3. Health and Survival Inequalities:

In India, the sex ratio between man and women is always high. According to the Gender gap index In India, women have lesser survival chances than men. The reason is the traditional patriarchal thinking of Indians. There are many girls child who does not get proper treatment in case of serious diseases in comparison to the boys.

Sex selective abortion is a lethal practice that is prevailing in contemporary society. The role of the mother is an important factor in this process. As a result of this sex-selective abortion, there have been more men than women in India and in other Asian countries. However, in 1994 Pre-conception and the Pre-natal diagnostics Technique Act was enacted with the purpose of tackle this problem. But it has not been effectively implemented.

 

5. Legal and Constitutional Safeguards against Gender Inequality:

Discrimination specifically on the ground of sex is prohibited by the Constitution under fundamental rights. There are also some provisions for women empowerment are mentioned under the Directive principals of state Policy. Article 15 prohibits discrimination on the ground of sex with both citizens and non-citizens. Article 15(3) empowers the state to make any special provision for women and children.

There are many legislations that have been passed by the parliament with a view to stop the exploitation of women and give them equal status in society such as Sati (Prevention) Act 1987, Dowry prohibition Act 1961 to eliminate the practise of dowry, Special Marriage act 1954 to give rightful status to the marriage couples, Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prevention and Regulation of Misuse) Bill 1994 to stop female Infanticide. Parliament has also amended these legislations time to time with the purpose to give protection to the women as per the changing needs of society. For Instance, Section 304-B was added by the Parliament in Indian Penal Code in 1860 and makes punishable dowry death for life Imprisonment.

 

6. Suggestions and Conclusions:

Indian Parliament has enacted many laws with the intention to prevent the exploitation of women from different forms of inequality. However, the real problem lies in their Implementation and also awareness regarding these laws is necessary especially in rural and remote areas where the condition is miserable.

Education is a tool which can be an effective tool in the process of decreasing Gender inequality. Illiteracy is a widespread phenomenon, especially in rural areas. There must be more formal education and greater equal employment opportunities for women. The focus should be made on the dropout of female students at the secondary level.

 

There is a high need to create women a favourable environment and more jobs should be created for the women so that they become economically independent. For this purpose NGOs, INGOs, NPOs, SHGs and policymakers, local leaders, health care providers, teachers and family should help in social advancement of women.

Inequality cannot be eradicated completely unless man and women both would give their efforts jointly. It has been seen in most of the situations that women also do participate in gender-based discriminations. Women are indulging almost in all of works beyond the traditional restrictions and are giving their contribution to the nation’s economy. The need of the hour is to increase their participation and make both the man and women parts in national progress.