Gender inequality can appear in a variety of ways, such as social stereotyping, interpersonal and societal violence, gender pay discrepancies, etc. It is not shocking that a sizable portion of our society is subjected to unfair or unfavorable treatment because of their gender. Given the complex character of Indian society, which is divided along caste, class, and urban/rural lines, the inequity and abuse that women experience vary depending on how two or more of these elements interact. The big issue I still have is if males in politics are prepared to share power with women, despite Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, and many other initiatives to empower women in India.
Throughout my studies, I frequently questioned how much attention in India is given to problems like caste prejudice and poverty. The situation with gender discrimination, however, is different. I used to wonder why gender equality concerns weren't shouted over the loudspeakers during elections and why pledges about women's safety, equal pay, etc. were never made. One explanation could be as simple as the fact that not enough women are active in politics and holding signs supporting gender equality.
India ranked 140 out of 156 nations in the Global Gender Gap Report 2021 for women's representation in parliament, and the figures at the national level are even more worrisome. Only 14% of Indian parliamentarians are women, and most of them come from just four states. Only 9% of women are elected to State Legislative Assemblies, which is much lower. The statistics make it abundantly evident that gender equality is a far cry from reality in the biggest democracy in the world and that only a small fraction of a nation's population is actually represented.
Second, we can say that India's voting patterns are also founded on a variety of broad traditions that have an impact on how society votes. Giving women's issues a voice or focusing attention on them may be seen as a weak and hazardous political move that feeds the vicious loop that prevents women from entering politics because religion, caste, area, and community are all important factors of the same.
Thirdly, the context and tone are inherently problematic even when women's issues are discussed in political arenas. For instance, women's security has become a more pressing problem in recent years, yet the way it has been handled speaks volumes about the inadequate representation of women in India. When leaders discuss rape and violence against women, they do not convey the idea that women have a right to live in a safe environment, but rather that they are helpless and need our support. Thus, instead of being empowering, the policies take on a welfare state character.
In my opinion, politics is not the only arena where gender issues may be discussed; women's exclusion from decision-making bodies has resulted in both ineffective and insensitive policymaking. More women in decision-making structures would mean that there would be a good percentage of representatives from a section of society for whom the policies will be made, and this is definitely worth fighting for. I'm not sure if having more women candidates during elections would put more gender issues in the spotlight because there are party agendas that work on a broader level.
Comentários