Gender inequality in India, Gender inequality in India, the significance of being the significance of being born as woman born as woman Presented by : Presented by : P.SONAIMUTHU P.SONAIMUTHU Executive Director, SAADOW Executive Director, SAADOW Natham - 624401, Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu, India, www.saadow.org, E-mail : Natham - 624401, Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu, India, www.saadow.org, E-mail : [email protected][email protected]It is impossible to think about the welfare of the world unless the condition of women is improved -Swami Vivekananda
Transcript
Gender inequality in India, the Gender inequality in India, the significance of being born as significance of being born as
Natham - 624401, Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu, India, www.saadow.org, E-mail : Natham - 624401, Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu, India, www.saadow.org, E-mail : [email protected]@gmail.com
It is impossible to think about the welfare of the world unless the condition of women is
improved
-Swami Vivekananda
IndiaIndia India's social structure is a unique blend of diverse India's social structure is a unique blend of diverse
religions, cultures and racial groups.religions, cultures and racial groups. All the great religion of the world, viz, the Hindus, All the great religion of the world, viz, the Hindus,
the Muslims, the Christians, etc, are found here. the Muslims, the Christians, etc, are found here. There are 18 major literary languages, apart from There are 18 major literary languages, apart from
numerous other languages and dialects. numerous other languages and dialects. There is striking diversity between various There is striking diversity between various
communities and groups in kinships and marriages communities and groups in kinships and marriages rites, customs, inheritance and modes of living. rites, customs, inheritance and modes of living.
Diversity is also seen in the pattern of rural as well Diversity is also seen in the pattern of rural as well as urban settlements, community life, cultural and as urban settlements, community life, cultural and social behaviour as also in the institutional social behaviour as also in the institutional framework. framework.
The uniqueness of Indian social structure lies in its The uniqueness of Indian social structure lies in its “unity amidst diversity” “unity amidst diversity”
Gender DisparityGender Disparity
From ancient to presentFrom ancient to present Women in ancient India were held in Women in ancient India were held in
high esteemhigh esteem The position of a woman in the Vedas The position of a woman in the Vedas
and the Upanishads was that of a and the Upanishads was that of a mother (maata) or goddess (Devi). mother (maata) or goddess (Devi).
In the Manusmriti, woman was In the Manusmriti, woman was considered as a precious beingconsidered as a precious being
In the early Vedic age, girls were In the early Vedic age, girls were looked after with care. looked after with care.
The practice of polygamy deteriorated The practice of polygamy deteriorated the status of womanthe status of woman
Gender DisparityGender Disparity In the medieval period, the practices of In the medieval period, the practices of
purdha system, dowry and sati came into purdha system, dowry and sati came into beingbeing
With the passage of time, the status of With the passage of time, the status of woman was lowered. woman was lowered.
After the development of science and After the development of science and technology, female foeticide is being technology, female foeticide is being practiced on a large scale. This has led to a practiced on a large scale. This has led to a drop in the female ratio. drop in the female ratio.
According to the census 2001, the sex ratio According to the census 2001, the sex ratio in India is 927 females to 1,000 males. in India is 927 females to 1,000 males. Dowry have become common.Dowry have become common.
Female infanticide practices in few areasFemale infanticide practices in few areas
Gender DisparityGender Disparity In many parts of India, women are viewed In many parts of India, women are viewed
as an economic liability despite as an economic liability despite contribution in several ways to our society contribution in several ways to our society and economyand economy
The crime graph against women is The crime graph against women is increasing at an alarming rate. increasing at an alarming rate.
The condition of an Indian widow is quite The condition of an Indian widow is quite deplorable. deplorable.
At home, the woman's contribution At home, the woman's contribution towards home as a housewife is not towards home as a housewife is not recognized..recognized..
Domestic Violence, Rape, Sexual Domestic Violence, Rape, Sexual Exploitation, molestation, eve-teasing, Exploitation, molestation, eve-teasing, forced prostitution, Sexual harassment at forced prostitution, Sexual harassment at work places etc are a common affair todaywork places etc are a common affair today
Disparity at BirthDisparity at Birth
Infant mortalityInfant mortality Birth/growth/survivalBirth/growth/survival Foeticide/sex ratio 972/1000 in 2001Foeticide/sex ratio 972/1000 in 2001
Maternal mortalityMaternal mortality 27% are mm27% are mm 40-50% receive antenatal care40-50% receive antenatal care
InfanticideInfanticide
Sex ratioSex ratio 972/1000972/1000ReasonsReasons Male Heir for the family Male Heir for the family Huge dowry Huge dowry Continued financial support to girl Continued financial support to girl
childchild PovertyPoverty Domestic violence Domestic violence Caste systemCaste system
Methods of infanticideMethods of infanticide
Feeding with Calotropis Procera & Feeding with Calotropis Procera & Euphorbia Tricalli latex Euphorbia Tricalli latex
Putting paddy in to the mouthPutting paddy in to the mouth Not allowing to feed milkNot allowing to feed milk Closing noseClosing nose More artificial feeding of milkMore artificial feeding of milk Covering with wet clothsCovering with wet cloths Live burialLive burial
Maternal mortalityMaternal mortality
Health seeking behaviorHealth seeking behavior Priority to male child than female Priority to male child than female
ReasonsReasons The UN estimates that 2.1 million The UN estimates that 2.1 million
Indian children die before reaching Indian children die before reaching the age of 5 every year – four every the age of 5 every year – four every minute minute
Mostly from preventable illnesses Mostly from preventable illnesses such as diarrhoea, typhoid, malaria, such as diarrhoea, typhoid, malaria, measles and pneumonia. measles and pneumonia.
Every day 1,000 Indian children die Every day 1,000 Indian children die because of diarrhoea alone.because of diarrhoea alone.
At workAt work
Working environmentWorking environment Unequal wagesUnequal wages Undignified treatmentUndignified treatment Working in odd hoursWorking in odd hours Sexual harassmentSexual harassment Higher working hoursHigher working hours Engaged in harmful industries Engaged in harmful industries Occupational hazards working Occupational hazards working
roughly twice as many hours as men roughly twice as many hours as men Nearly 27 percentage are accounted Nearly 27 percentage are accounted
by unpaid activities.by unpaid activities.
Violence against women Violence against women
Forced in to subordinate positionForced in to subordinate position Every 42 minutes a sexual harassment Every 42 minutes a sexual harassment
occurs.occurs. Every 43 minutes a woman kidnapped.Every 43 minutes a woman kidnapped. Every 93 minutes a woman is burnt a Every 93 minutes a woman is burnt a
very dowry.very dowry. Pre quarter of reported rapes involve Pre quarter of reported rapes involve
girls under the age of 16 years.girls under the age of 16 years.Restricted out-side participationRestricted out-side participation Trafficking / selling of girl child Trafficking / selling of girl child Every 26 minutes women is molested. Every 26 minutes women is molested. Every 34 minutes a rape take place. Every 34 minutes a rape take place.
Poor health care Poor health care
Neglecting during illnessNeglecting during illness Recognition of illness by herselfRecognition of illness by herself Health services as a last resortHealth services as a last resort Reluctance to be examined by male Reluctance to be examined by male
doctorsdoctors
Lack of Education Lack of Education
65.38% only, male 73.53% female 53.765.38% only, male 73.53% female 53.7 Poor literacy – gender gap in literacy Poor literacy – gender gap in literacy
raterate No higher education – up to Higher No higher education – up to Higher
secondarysecondary
Economic Constraints Economic Constraints
Kept as dependantsKept as dependants No equal property rights - As against No equal property rights - As against
lawlaw Loans of men is paid back by womenLoans of men is paid back by women Economic uncertaintyEconomic uncertainty Denial in inheritance of properties to Denial in inheritance of properties to
orphaned / desertedorphaned / deserted
Discriminative socialization Discriminative socialization process process
Customary practicesCustomary practices In household activities only (boys not In household activities only (boys not
allowed)allowed) Restricted to playRestricted to play Isolation / separation in Isolation / separation in
schools/public placesschools/public places Restricted to move freelyRestricted to move freely
Detrimental cultural Detrimental cultural practicespractices
After marriage – husbands are dominatingAfter marriage – husbands are dominating Dominance from In-laws family / membersDominance from In-laws family / members Never / rarely considered for any decision Never / rarely considered for any decision
makingmaking Can not support her parentsCan not support her parents Limitations in continuing relationships with Limitations in continuing relationships with
brothers / sisters / relativesbrothers / sisters / relatives Child / Early marriageChild / Early marriage Patriarchal attitudesPatriarchal attitudes Not able to continue girl/boy friends Not able to continue girl/boy friends
friendship after marriagefriendship after marriage
In GovernanceIn Governance After over sixty years of independence women After over sixty years of independence women
are still exploitedare still exploited The 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments The 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments
have provided 33 percent reservation for have provided 33 percent reservation for women in the Panchayati Raj System women in the Panchayati Raj System
Panchayat / Parliament totally 790 seats by Panchayat / Parliament totally 790 seats by filling 6.6-8.4 percentage.filling 6.6-8.4 percentage.
Women Reservation bill delayedWomen Reservation bill delayed In PRI only in reserved seats (not in open In PRI only in reserved seats (not in open
Competition)/ cast disparity.Competition)/ cast disparity. Men domination in administration Men domination in administration
Social Advancement of Social Advancement of womenwomen
Self AdvancementSelf Advancement Reflexive dimension of employment Reflexive dimension of employment Assert themselves what they thought Assert themselves what they thought Self awarenessSelf awareness Capacity building.Capacity building.
Social Advancement of Social Advancement of womenwomen Contd… Contd…
Advancement as a groupAdvancement as a group Enough group members/meetingsEnough group members/meetings Adequate supportAdequate support Intimacy / involvement/resources Intimacy / involvement/resources Decision making / problem solving Decision making / problem solving
Social Advancement of Social Advancement of womenwomen Contd… Contd…
Advancement of communityAdvancement of community Planning / implementation/ evaluation Planning / implementation/ evaluation
/bias discrimination./bias discrimination.Economic advancementEconomic advancement Right to choice/savingsRight to choice/savings EDP skills/ marketingEDP skills/ marketing Information /linkages/external, Information /linkages/external,
Social advancementSocial advancement Power distribution / Socio / equality Power distribution / Socio / equality
dissemination of knowledge about dissemination of knowledge about health nutrition, literacy, education, health nutrition, literacy, education, freedom and opportunities/ adoption of freedom and opportunities/ adoption of new practicesnew practices
Social Advancement of Social Advancement of women Contd…women Contd…
Political advancementPolitical advancement Decision making / political rights / Decision making / political rights /
participation in political Campaignparticipation in political Campaign Ability to solve political issues Ability to solve political issues Solving health and social problemsSolving health and social problems Confronting exploitative powerConfronting exploitative power Public life participation Public life participation Control over – their self confidenceControl over – their self confidence
Social Advancement of Social Advancement of women Contd…women Contd…
Educational AdvancementEducational Advancement Prime avenue of women Prime avenue of women
empowerment.empowerment. Break down of power stereotypingBreak down of power stereotyping Legal understanding / rights / gender Legal understanding / rights / gender
sensitization / health education etc.sensitization / health education etc. Strengthen own income generation Strengthen own income generation
Social Advancement of Social Advancement of women Contd… women Contd…
Technological advancementTechnological advancement Technical means and skills characteristic Technical means and skills characteristic
of particular civilization group or period.of particular civilization group or period. Technology habitually designates the Technology habitually designates the
complex of information, skills methods complex of information, skills methods and machinery required for the and machinery required for the manufacture utilization and making of manufacture utilization and making of useful objects – UNO source.useful objects – UNO source.
Man - Mutual, Management, planning, Man - Mutual, Management, planning, organizing etc.organizing etc.
Strategies for advancement of Strategies for advancement of womenwomen
LiteracyLiteracy
Formal EducationFormal Education Give greater employment opportunity Give greater employment opportunity Primary / secondary dropout of female Primary / secondary dropout of female
child is high.child is high. Territory education is appreciableTerritory education is appreciable Reservation / expenditure or provision Reservation / expenditure or provision
of services/ special provision like of services/ special provision like construction.construction.
All rights, legal measuresAll rights, legal measures
Strategies Strategies forfor advancement advancement of women contd..of women contd..
Post literacy Post literacy Consolidate the basic literacy skills at Consolidate the basic literacy skills at
speaking, reading, and writing and speaking, reading, and writing and problem solving at the time. problem solving at the time.
Sustain the learning environmentSustain the learning environment
Strategies Strategies forfor advancement advancement of women contd…of women contd…
Continuing educationContinuing education Establishing a responsible and Establishing a responsible and
alternative structure for life long alternative structure for life long learning, responding to the needs of learning, responding to the needs of all sections of the society.all sections of the society.
Supports grass root community.Supports grass root community. Women learners educate their Women learners educate their
children.children.
Strategies Strategies forfor advancement advancement of women contd..of women contd..
Human rights educationHuman rights education To take control of their circumstancesTo take control of their circumstances Achieve their own goals, helping Achieve their own goals, helping
themselves, enhance their quality of themselves, enhance their quality of lifelife
Motivate them for lobbying / advocacyMotivate them for lobbying / advocacy
Strategies Strategies forfor advancement advancement of women Contd..of women Contd..
Skills developmentSkills development Availing skills through Availing skills through
unvoiced always by women unvoiced always by women culture of silence by Paulo Ferrier. culture of silence by Paulo Ferrier.
Strategies Strategies forfor advancement advancement of women contd..of women contd..
Political participationPolitical participation Slow process/ needs training Slow process/ needs training Knowledge on advocacy & Knowledge on advocacy &
lobbyinglobbying Knowledge on all development Knowledge on all development
activitiesactivities
Strategies Strategies forfor advancement advancement of women contd..of women contd..
Health educationHealth education Health care / NutritionHealth care / Nutrition Problems of early marriageProblems of early marriage Mother and child health careMother and child health care Small family normsSmall family norms Diseases / communicable and non Diseases / communicable and non
communicable diseases / communicable diseases / RTI/STI/HIV and psychological issuesRTI/STI/HIV and psychological issues
Strategies Strategies forfor advancement advancement of women contd..of women contd..
leadership / accounting etc.leadership / accounting etc. Entrepreneurship developmentEntrepreneurship development Achieve women advancement Achieve women advancement
improving income regularlyimproving income regularly Expand their decision making, acquire Expand their decision making, acquire
assetsassets
Collaborators of Social Collaborators of Social advancement of womenadvancement of women
NGO/ INGOs / NPOsNGO/ INGOs / NPOs SHGs / CBOs SHGs / CBOs Policy makersPolicy makers Local leadersLocal leaders Information disseminatorsInformation disseminators Health care providersHealth care providers TeachersTeachers Family membersFamily members
THANK YOUTHANK YOU
A nation's progress and prosperity can A nation's progress and prosperity can bebe
judged by the way it treats its women judged by the way it treats its women folkfolk
Men must recognize and accept the fact Men must recognize and accept the fact thatthat
women are equal partners in lifewomen are equal partners in life
