Rashmi Oberoi dwells on gender inequality and its attendant fallouts and finds it rooted in the patriarchal mindset of the Indian society. She feels parents and teachers can play a pivotal role in giving
women their due and bringing them on par with men across all walks of life and spheres.
Hope… We use this word so often in our everyday language. It is a feeling of trust, security, and a reason to keep going. I also think it borders between that passionate desire of our heart entwined with a feeling of expectation and a longing for a certain thing to happen. It’s only hope that has got us through 2021 and now makes us look forward to 2022.
The past year has brought to fore gender issues and gender-based discrimination that is still looming large. Gender inequality extends across various facets of society. The root cause of gender inequality in our society lies in its patriarchy system – a system of social structure and practices, in which men dominate, oppress and exploit women. Gender inequality is therefore a form of inequality which is distinct from other forms of economic and social inequalities. It dwells not only outside the household but also centrally within it. It stems not only from pre-existing differences in economic endowments between women and men but also from pre-existing gendered social norms and social perceptions.
Then there is gender-based pay discrimination which is a huge issue in today’s times – the need to have wage equality once and for all and equal rights for women. Equality will be achieved when men and women are granted equal pay and equal respect. She is not better, wiser, stronger, more intelligent, more creative, or more responsible than a man. Likewise, she is never less. Equality is a given. A woman is human.
For ages it was believed that the different characteristics, roles and status accorded to women and men in society are determined by sex, that they are natural and therefore not changeable.
Gender is seen closely related to the roles and behaviour assigned to women and men based on their sexual differences. As soon as a child is born families and society begin the process of gendering. The birth of the son is celebrated, the birth of a daughter filled with pain; sons are showered with love, respect, better food and proper health care. Boys are encouraged to be tough and outgoing; girls are encouraged to be homebound and shy. All these differences are gender differences and they are created by society.
Not just in India, but since time unknown women have been looked down upon as inanimate objects all over the world. To fight for the equal rights for women, there have been feminist movements around the globe. Indian feminists had to fight against culture-specific issues within India’s patriarchal society. The patriarchal attributes include dowry, siring sons, among others. Also there are issues like female infanticide and female foeticide that exist.
Of course, for this to succeed, parents and teachers have to take on a hands-on approach by encouraging questions and highlighting positive examples and role models for both girls and boys. There is too much negativity around gender and sexuality issues, and parents should remember that kids would actually like to hear it from their parents rather than from the media. As societies progress, the conversation around gender stereotypes will also evolve with the needs and demands of the day. India’s current spate of crimes against women along with the age-old grip of patriarchal laws and customs dictate an urgent need for gender-sensitive education and upbringing. The only way to ensure a safer and equal society is to educate tomorrow’s leaders and lawmakers against the mistakes and injustices we’ve seen and borne in the past. And raising our sons and daughters without discrimination is a giant leap in that direction.
A society which commits atrocities on their weaker members is not only uncivilised but also underdeveloped. Thebrutalities done on women by men are not their sign of strength by they are construed as the sign of their weakness which they are camouflaging.
History has proven the fact that the societies and civilisations which haven’t respected rights and safety of women have perished badly. I firmly believe that respect and safety of women are the basic foundations of a society. It is imperative that if a community is not providing equal rights to women and if women are bereft of basic freedom, there cannot be an ounce of progress in that society.
The fight must continue for security and equality of women…for their safety…for their rights to live and do as they please. A New Year… A new beginning… New hopes and new dreams… May we find it within us to continue hoping!
[/column][column size=”4/5″]
Rashmi Oberoi
Rashmi Oberoi, an army officer`s daughter is passionate about writing and has authored two story books for children – My Friends AtSonnenshine and Cherie:The Cocker Spaniel.
[/column]