GENDER DISCRIMINATION

GENDER DISCRIMINATION

Gender is a common term whereas gender discrimination is meant only for women, because females are the only victims of gender discrimination. Denial of equality, rights and opportunity and suppression in any form on the basis of gender is gender discrimination. Females are nearly 50 percent of the total population but their representation in public life is very low. Gender discrimination is not biologically determined but it is determined socially; and this discrimination can be tackled through proper and perpetuate efforts.
Half of the world’s population is female. They are doing two-third of work of the total work in the world but receive only one-tenth of the world’s total income. Nearly two-third of the women are illiterates and they possess only one percent of the total world’s assets. In the world only one-fourth of the families are headed by females. India is a male dominant society and gender discrimination is habitually customized.

Kinds of discrimination:

• Foeticide - Abortion of female foetus with the help of scanning.

• Not being allowed to go to school (Denial of education).

• Not being given necessary health care when ill.

• Early marriage.

• Eve teasing, Rape and Sexual harassment.

• Dowry.

• Divorce, Destitution even for insignificant or no reason

Causes of Gender Discrimination

• Educational backwardness

• Caste

• Religious beliefs

• Culture

• In the name of family history

• Customs and beliefs

• Races

• Low income

• Unemployment

• Society

• Attitudes

Solutions for Gender Discrimination

To find a solution to the problem of gender discrimination, the E4SD factor would be very useful. The E4SD factors are:

1. Education

Education imparts knowledge, develops skills, changes attitudes and improves self-confidence. It provides employment opportunities and increases income. Hence educating women is the best weapon to combat gender discrimination and to uplift their position in society. Not only females, the whole society must be educated to ensure equal rights for females.

2. Employment

Employment provides income and security, and improves the economic position of the women. Employed women are given greater importance by the family members. Employment gives economic independence for the women.

3. Economic Independence

? Religious beliefs

? CultureIn India, it is traditionally believed that the young woman depends on her father, in the middle age, she depends on her husband and when older, she depends on her son. Economic independence is imperative for women’s development as it will release women from their subservient and dependent position, and provide them greater autonomy. Economic independence of women also helps in the national economic development.

4. Empowerment

Empowering women with the support of laws, education and employment will lead to the social acceptance of women as equal to men. Empowerment of women will not only mitigate their economic dependence, but will also result in the utilization of their true potential and lead to greater national development.

5. Self-confidence

Due to prolonged suppression, Indian women, and especially the uneducated and unemployed women have little self-confidence. Women need self confidence to fight against all the atrocities against them and to live self esteemed lives. Hence, boosting the morale and self confidence of the women is the key to fighting atrocities against women.

6. Decision Making

In the family as well as in the society, the woman is denied the privilege of decision-making. Mostly it is the men who take the important decisions in the family and in the society. This makes women voice-less and reduces their importance in the family as well as in the society. So, to end gender discrimination women must be empowered with the authority of decision-making.