Gender Discrimination.

         G​ ender Discrimination          G​ ender is a common term where as discrimination is meant only for women, because females are the only victims of gender discrimination. Females are nearly 50% of the total population but the representation in public life is very low. Recognising women's rights and believing their ability are essential for women empowerment and development.      

                Introduction    Literally, the meaning of discrimination is an unfavorable treatment to anyone based on sex,race, and so on. It is considered as an obstacle for the achievement if the objectives of equality, development and peace. Discrimination is recognised as a form of inequality and issue for women around the world. It affect the capacity of women to participate freely and fully in society and in turn brings psychological harmful consequences. Half of the population of the world consists of women, whole large portion is still discriminated phase of life directly or indirectly.

Gender Discrimination    The gender discrimination may exist in various dimensions which include gender discrimination in hiring, gender discrimination in salary and wages, gender discrimination in promotion and gender discrimination in different goods and facilities. But, the gender discrimination is starts from our home. Some examples are: Early marriage Dowry Rape and sexual harrasment

And mainly female foeticide (finding out the sex of the foetus and aborting if it is a girl) The situation of the gender discrimination has been worsnend with the development of science and technology as it predicts the sex of a feotus before it turns info baby. In 1978 and 1983, seventy eight thousand of foetuses were aborted in Mumbai. Scholars have reported different types of discrimination against women and it is different according to ethnicity. Brahmin and Chhetri are considered most vulnerable group as they often practice early age marriage. The girls from Brahmin and Chhetri families are forced to get marry at early age without their consent. Similarly, women are not allowed to move and talk freely which turns into violence. It was reported that woman was beaten and also put a paste of chilly powder and garlic inside her vagina for speaking with two boys , in 2007. And also reported the newly married brides do not eat meal as they want since they are not supported to move in a day time if they eat as they want they

might have to go outside for defecate and men will see their face. Gender discrimination also exist in education. Parents reluctance to educate daughters has its roots in the situation of women. Parents have several incentives for not educating their daughters. Women in some communities, they still think that girls need to spend time for household chores after marriage and do not prefer to send girl child for higher education. Some women in some communities got oppertunity for higher education and job as well but they could not continue it after marriage since there was pressure from the husband and mother-in-law to quit the job as they need to move and interact with different people. Discrimination in decision making for family, property right in the form of less expense in education, food, and healthcare for girl child than boys is old practice in rural areas.

Women in rural areas are considered as relatively uneducated and rarely involved in formed meetings and planning phase. Women are discriminated to make decisions in formed meetings and also to involve in Political participation due to illiteracy. Besides education, workloads also makes women less available in attending meetings. Household responsibilities make women less available for the extra meeting or social events where information is exchanged. But now there is a lot of differences in the way education is provided. Gender Discrimination - Direct or indirect? The job vacancy announcements that overtly discourage applications form married workers are examples of direct discrimination. In many countries domestic workers are excluded from the protection that the low grants to other employees. As domestic workers tend to comprise mainly women or members of ethnic minorities or

migrant workers, their exclusion from entitlements to certain labour constitutes a form of indirect discrimination based on sex or race. One good way to see the way education impacted on girls and women is to look at the female labour force participation rate and see how it performed is the educational gender discrimination was being reduced. Now I remembering a a adage , that is an African adage that goes : \"if you educate a boy, you train a man, If you educate a girl , you train a village\" Women should step outside their 'comfort zones' . Women should certainly step outside their comfort zone if they have to get their rightful place in the society. Most women, especially Indian women , feel safe and comfortable within the four wall of their home. They prefer to study at home, looking after their husband and children. They should feel that they are in no way inferior to men. There is a popular saying : \"What a man can do, a woman can do better…!\"

In India, several laws, legislations, policies and institutional reforms have been enacted to carry out the gender action plan for the development of women. In pre-independent India, few laws passed in response to social demands and on the basis of humanitarian consideration. After independence, there have been important changes in legislation and litigation which have facilitated the increased participation of women in political activities as well as in the socio-economic development activities and the increase appear to be more likely at the lower level than at the highest centres of decision making. Article 14 of Indian constitution says that the state shall not deny to any person equality before or equal protection of the law, Article 15 says that no women can be discriminated against on the ground of sex, Article 15(3) emphasis that the state shall make special provisions for women and children and Article 16 provides equality of opportunity in matters relating to employment by the state. The 73rd 74th Amendments of Indian constitution in 1993 are the milestone in the history of India, which provides lot of powers for the local bodies.

It paves the way for decentralisation, empower the poor people as well as women. But nowadays, the laws are violated. But defendant is given only a minor sentence. BUT, these are also being exploited by some women. We have many examples for exploitation of womens rights. Recently, a women says Zomato delivery boy hit her after delay, and she shares pics of her broken nose. And those pics and video become viral in social media. It is because the laws support women more than men. Some women takes this an advantage to do what they want and used to retaliate. So, always men are not wrong. Solutions for Gender Discrimination Various movements, programs, are being carried out by the Government, voluntary organisations and by

lot of social activities for women's developments and against the gender discrimination. To solve the gender discrimination problem the E⁴SD factor would be very useful. They E⁴SD factors are; E Education : Education develops the skills, imparts knowledge, changes the attitude and improve the self confidence. E Employment : Employment gives the income and improve the economic position of the women. Employed women are given importance by the family members. Employment gives the economic independence for the women. E Economic Independence : Economic independence will free the women from the slavery position and boost the self confidence. Economic independence of women also helps in the national economic developments. E Empowerment : Empowering women with the help of law, education, and employment will make

the society to accept the women as an equal gender like male. S Self-confidence : Due to prolonged suppresment, Indian women, an especially eneducated woman hasn't had the self-confidence. Women need self-confidence to fight against all the atrocities against her and to live self esteemed life. D Decision Making : Even in the family as well as in the society the decision making power of women is denied. Mostly males makes the importance decision in the family and in the society. This makes women as voice less and destroys herself confidence and she feels less important in the family as well as in the society. So, to end gender discrimination women must empower with decision making power.

Conclusion Societal discrimination exists in male dominated society. Women are aware of discrimination practices at home and society as well. They perceive more discrimination practices at the societal level comparing to household level. Societal discrimination are often highlighted by media and it becomes an issue for debate at the national level. A nation or society, without the participation of women cannot achieve development. If we eliminate gender discrimination, women will deliver all the potentials, skills, knowledge to develop the family, the nation and the whole world. Name: K S Sharon Course: Political Science 1 dc Rl No: 331