Best Essay on -Gender Discrimination in India

In this post we will discuss essay on Gender Discrimination

Gender Discrimination in India

Gender Discrimination refers to the discriminatory treatment of individuals based on their gender. It is a social problem that causes a disparity between genders, the root cause being socially constructed gender roles. India, from historical times, has been a male-dominated society. This was mostly because men were seen to be strong, earning bread and butter for the family. On the other hand, women had the role of household chores and looking after the house, children and family members. This discrimination is not limited to only females but to all other genders, including transgender and others.
In the present scenario, India has moved away from this male-dominated culture. However, it could still be seen in different strata of society, whether rural or urban. This is because it is deeply imbibed in our culture. The prime example could be seen in the Global Gender Gap Report 2022 by the ‘World Economic Forum’ in which India is placed at 135th rank out of 146 countries. Discrimination against females starts from the foetus itself and continues throughout their lives. Knowing that a girl is being born, they are aborted without even coming to life. This is evident according to the 2011 census, which showed the child sex ratio that was 919 females to 1000 males. Also, the census showed a huge gap between male literacy (82.14%) and female literacy (65.46%), and the same could be said for the population of both. There are many reasons for this unprecedented disparity, including female foeticide, illiteracy, extreme poverty, dowry, and preference for male children.
The harsh truth cannot be denied that other genders, including males, face discrimination and oppression in many cases. Many cases have been seen in which men have been victims of false rape charges, domestic violence etc. According to a report from the Delhi commission for women in 2014, 53.2% of the rape cases registered in Delhi were false. The bitter fact that men are merely seen to fulfil their family needs and provide money can also be seen as discrimination. However, women have been a constant victim of this social evil and much more sufferers than any other gender.
The government has sometimes put various efforts into removing or reducing this social evil. Even the Indian constitution recognises women’s rights under articles 14, 15, 17, 19,23 and 39. The government’s bold efforts, such as the prohibition of child marriage act 2006, the sexual harassment of women at the workplace act 2013, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao 2015, Dowry Prohibition Act 1961 etc., have proved vital in reducing gender discrimination. Other efforts include 33% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj institutions, property rights of women recognised by the Supreme Court and the landmark decision of Abrogating Triple Talaq, which was applauded nationally and internationally. These bold decisions for the welfare of women have produced personalities like Kalpana Chawla, P V Sindhu, Mirabia Chanu, Gita Gopinath and many more inspirations making India a proud nation.
Thus, we can see various mechanisms to reduce gender inequality. Still, a much more multidimensional approach is needed to end it from its root. Quoting Swami Vivekanand – “There is no chance for the welfare of the world unless the condition of women is improved. a bird cannot fly on only one wing”.