Is moral policing the newest deterrent to female labour force participation?

Is moral policing the newest deterrent to female labour force participation?

 

  • Form and extent of work, political participation, level of education, health status, representation in decision-making bodies, access to property are some of the relevant indicators, which reveal the status of individual members in society. However, not all members of society, especially women, have equal access to the factors that constitute these indicators of status.
  • Patriarchal norms limit or restrict Indian women’s education and employment options, ranging from education options to entry into the workforce and the nature of work.
  • In this scenario, it would be relevant to consider the position of women holding almost half of the country’s population and citizenship, where they currently stand in the struggle for freedom, dignity, equality and representation.

What does the constitution say about women empowerment?

  • The principle of gender equality is enshrined in the Indian Constitution.
  • The constitution not only guarantees equality to women, but also empowers the state to take measures of positive discrimination in favor of women so as to reduce their cumulative socio-economic and political disadvantage.
  • Women have the fundamental right not to be discriminated on the basis of sex (Article 15) and equal protection before the law (Article 14).
  • It is a fundamental duty for every citizen in the constitution to renounce the degrading practices prevalent against the dignity of women.

What are the areas in India where women have performed exceptionally well?

  • Over the years women have faced the injustice and prejudice of the society. But today with the changing times, she has made a mark for herself, she has broken the shackles of gender stereotypes and stands strong for the achievement of her dreams and goals.

For example we can look at some women and their recent achievements:

 Social worker:

  • Sindhutai Sapkal (Padma Shri 2021)- Raising orphans

 Environmentalist:

  • Tulsi Gowda (Padma Shri 2021)- She is called ‘Encyclopaedia of Forest’

Defense Sector:

  • Avani Chaturvedi – the first Indian woman to fly a fighter aircraft (MiG-21 Bison) solo

Sports area:

  • Mary Kom- the first woman in the country to win a medal in boxing in the Olympics.
  • PV Sindhu- First Indian woman to win two Olympic medals (Bronze – Tokyo 2020) and Silver (Rio 2016).
  • Indian Women’s Cricket Team- Finalist (Silver Medal), Commonwealth Games 2022

In International Organization:

  • Gita Gopinath- the first woman chief economist at the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

 Space technology:

  • Tessy Thomas- Revered as ‘Missile Woman of India’ (affiliated with Agni-V missile project)

Education field:

  • Shakuntala Devi- Guinness World Record for the fastest human computation.
  • Shanan Dhaka- AIR 1 in National Defense Academy Entrance Examination (First Women’s Batch of NDA)
  • Top 3 All India Ranks secured by female candidates in UPSC Civil Services Examination 2021.

Current Areas of Concern for Women in India

 Difference in Male Female Literacy Rate:

  • Despite the government’s efforts to ensure equality of education opportunity for both men and women in our society, the literacy rate of women in India, especially in rural areas, is still worse.
  • Schools in rural India are remotely located and in the absence of strong local law and order, it is unsafe for girls to travel long distances for schooling.
  • Traditional practices such as female feticide, dowry and child marriage have also contributed to the problem where many families find it economically impractical to educate the girl child.

Stereotypes regarding gender roles:

  • Still a large section of Indian society believes that it is the role of men to carry out financial responsibilities and work outside.
  • Stereotypes regarding gender roles have generally led to prejudice and discrimination against women.
  • For example, women are perceived as less reliable as workers/workers because of their child-rearing work.

Differences in the Socialization Process:

  • In many parts of India, especially in rural areas, the norms of socialization for men and women still differ.
  • Women are expected to be soft spoken, calm and quiet. They are expected to walk, talk, sit and behave in certain ways.  In comparison, a man can display any behavior he wants.

Representation of Women in Legislature:

  • The representation of women in various legislative bodies across India has been low.
  • According to a report by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the United Nations-Women, India was ranked 148th among 193 countries in terms of the number of elected women representatives in Parliament?

Security concerns:

  • Despite continuous efforts in the field of security in India, women have to face various situations like feticide, domestic violence, rape, and trafficking, forced prostitution, honor killing, sexual harassment at workplace.

‘Period Poverty’:

  • Period Poverty is a matter of serious concern in many countries of the world, especially India. Period poverty refers to a lack of access to hygiene products, menstrual education, and hygiene and sanitation facilities needed to properly manage menstruation.
  • A study conducted by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in the year 2011 revealed that only 13% of girl children in India were aware of it before going through the first menstruation.

‘Glass Ceiling’:

  • Women not only in India but across the globe face a social barrier that prevents them from getting promoted to the top jobs in the management sector.

Major government schemes related to women empowerment

  • Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Scheme
  • Ujjwala Yojana
  • Swadhar Greh
  • Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana
  • Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra Yojana
  • One Stop Center

Yojna ias daily current affairs eng med 22th August

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