Gender Issues in India: A Contemporary Analysis
by Yuvi K - December 16, 2023
Understanding Gender Issues in India: A Contemporary Analysis
Gender is one of the most important determining factors of the life of an individual, having a complex and varying role in different societies and cultures. India is a country with a very gendered society, with traditionally strong patriarchal norms and values. Thus, gender issues are especially pertinent in contemporary India, and there is a need to examine how gender manifests itself in various aspects of the lives of people in India.
Definition of Gender
Gender is a socially constructed framework, using which the idea of a man and woman is defined. This framework not only affects the experiences of people in different communities, but also determines the social roles, attitude, expectations, power dynamics, and opportunities that different genders are allotted. It not only distinguishes between men and women, but also recognizes the existence of non-binary genders such as Third Gender, Hijras, and Transgender. It is largely based on traditional stereotypes about gender roles which have been historically ascribed to boys and girls. (लिंग एक सामाजिकतया निर्मित ढांचा है जो पुरुष और महिला का विचार परिभाषित करता है। यह ढांचा सिर्फ मनुष्यों की अलग-अलग समुदायों के अनुभवों को प्रभाव्य करता है बल्कि वे अलग-अलग सामाजिक भूमिकाओं, आदरणीयताओं, अपेक्षाओं, शक्ति डायनैमिक्स और अवसरों को प्रदान करता है जिनपर पुरुषों और महिलाओं द्वारा हिस्सा लेना होता है। यह सिर्फ पुरुष और महिला के बीच अंतर प्रदर्शित करता है, बल्कि यह तीसरे लिंग, हिजरा, और ट्रांसजेन्डर जैसे गैर-दोहरे लिंगों की अस्तित्व की पुष्टि करता है।)
Gender Issues in India
In India, gender has been a major factor in determining the access to resources and opportunities for different genders. Issues of gender inequality and discrimination affect both men and women, and have been a huge barrier to unlocking the potential of a significant workforce in India. It is a fact that men and women are still socially, economically, and educationally disadvantaged due to gender biases.
Gender and Access to Resources
In India, a large section of the population is still struggling to access basic necessities of life such as water, health, education, and other basic services. Gender is an important determinant for the access to resources, both for men and women, as a result of entrenched patriarchal norms and values. Women in particular are still heavily discriminated against. They face higher illiteracy rates, lower wealth, and worse health than men.
Gender and Education
Gender has also been a major factor determining the access to education. In India, reports suggest that there is still a gender gap in education at both the primary and secondary education levels. There is a large discrepancy in the number of girls and boys who are enrolled in higher educational institutions, with boys often being favored over girls. In addition, there is a gap in terms of the content and quality of education that girls receive. This gap does not allow for equality between boys and girls in terms of acquiring knowledge and skills, thus further fuelling gender disparities.
Gender and Employment
In India, the situation remains poor with regards to women’s access to formal, wage-based employment. In the workforce, women are still grossly under-represented. This is reflected in the fact that women earn only about a third of what men earn for the same position. This reflects the inequality that women face in the workplace in terms of access to resources, wage parity, and professional opportunities.
Gender and Sexuality
In India, the issue of sexuality is still a sensitive one, and has long been subject to majority attitudes and traditions. This has resulted in the stigmatization of all non-normative sexual identity, expression, and activity, creating an atmosphere of exclusion and oppression. This is especially true of individuals belonging to Third Gender and Transgender communities.
Conclusion :
In India, gender issues are still pervasive, affecting different genders in different ways and impacting access to resources like health, education, and employment. It is also important to acknowledge the marginalization of Third Gender and Transgender communities, which have been further aggravated by majority attitudes and traditions. There is a need for a change in attitudes and behaviour so as to ensure that all genders have the same access to resources and opportunities.
While several interventions have been made to try and address gender issues, more needs to be done. Active steps need to be taken to create a strong foundation for empowerment and access to resources; to challenge existing gender-related stereotypes and traditional norms; to build greater educational equality; and to ensure that women and other genders are able to access wage-based employment. With these efforts, India will be able to ensure that all genders are able to contribute to society in the best way possible.
