Dr Sonalika Jamwal
While we all live in this modern world which claims an equal and accessible environment for all, do you truly think that the World has closed the gender gap? As a part of SDG 5 i.e. to achieve Gender equality & empower all women & girls by 2030 how far have we reached, its 2023 already! The data by the World Economic Forum report clearly states the understated, out of 146 countries India ranks 135 in the Global gender gap, 146 in health and survival, 143 in economic participation, and 107 in education 48 in political empowerment. India ranks 123 in the global inequality index.
The NFHS data shows sex ratio of 1029 girls out of 1000 boys, the female literacy rate is increased to 72%, incidence of female child marriage in the country has decreased to 23.3% and 29.4% of women (aged 15-59) were part of India’s labour force in 2021-22. Many indicators might have increased but the gender gap is widened by 62.5%. The progress has been marginal since 2015, large gaps still remain.
Gender equality is a basic human right but it is also the gravest challenge we face today, more than a moral issue it’s also a critical economic challenge. Even Highly developed countries are still trying to mend the bridge. The extent and issues could be different but everyone is surely in the boat. The fight for women in society ranges from basic human rights to equal wages and breaking the glass ceiling. There is no country in the world that has achieved literal gender equality. There is a Khasi tribe in North East, India & Masai in Tanzania who still have ongoing matrilineal culture. But was the world always like this, there are many theories and proof that claim the initial existence of matrilineal societies, where children inherited their mother’s lineage. In this Kinship, the offspring being more associated with women and women single-headedly balancing all aspects played a more dominating role in the society. But soon men realised their physical dominance over women and that’s when the authority of men was made more in society. When men physically harassed women and the other man offered protection in barter of sharing the children giving men societal and livelihood safety. That’s how patriarchy rose! But over the centuries the balance was disbalanced resulting in this huge gender gap along with this disparity in standards of living between genders portraying women as a weaker and second gender from that time. In the broader opinion, there is no wrong in the proper division of work in balancing household but if one gender is disabled of equal rights because of her biological sex or termed as weak then the problem arises. Even in this era and age women even who have stepped out of their houses to work officially are yet deemed to be responsible for the household domestic work as well. Many women sit on the corporate desks or are stable entrepreneurs but still not many are on the top of the ladder. Many don’t get jobs because of the notion that women will go on maternity leave or their focus will be their household only. But if a woman doesn’t want to have kids or not prioritises her home over work she is termed as a woman of bad influence. Thus, today’s society is structured as a double edgd sword for women.
Moving towards access to healthcare, it also varies according to gender. As many as 60% of women in the country face trouble accessing healthcare for themselves (NFHS data). 3/5th of women report problem for themselves in obtaining medical care. Additionally, the Privilege of education is also impacted according to gender. Many females do not even enter school and out of those who do many don’t complete higher studies. Depriving girls of the Right to education is depriving them of equal growth and progress in life. It’s time we realise that females aren’t an instrument of reproduction but an asset of growth to society. Women have been tested as an instrument of population control in India, and not as beneficiaries of such efforts. There have been many efforts put in by the government to protect and raise the status of women in society. Apart from all the humanitarian rights the following Rights especially pertain to women,
* Right to maintenance
* Right to equal pay
* Right to dignity and decency
* Right against domestic violence
* Rights at workplace
* Right against dowry
* Right to free legal aid
* Right of private defense
* Right against harassment at work
* Right to get maternity benefits
* Right against female foeticide
* Right not to be arrested at night
* Equal share in inheritance
In our culture many of our deities are women, when a girl child is born we term her as a goddess but how truly do we treat that goddess her whole life is a thought you all must ponder upon. Let’s not raise children as on the defined set standards of a male or a female. Gender inequality results in unequal opportunities. As a society we all are equally responsible for the disbalance created. Women themselves also embark son preference and often take charge in it. It is time that women stand for women push and pull each other up and then stand together. Be each other’s strength to make this beautiful world a happy place for all. On the other part, Men should realise that women are creators of human life, they are equally stronger, be it physically mentally, or emotionally and it’s time you give them cerebral equality in their life. All individuals, regardless of their cognitive abilities or disabilities, should have equal access to opportunities and resources, and be treated with equal respect and dignity. Equal opportunity in life is a human right.
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