By Sonie Kharduit
“INEQUALITY” is a very simple term which we tend to relate with economic disparity. I must emphatically say that its horizon is much wider than what we can imagine. Beyond economic aspects, it also casts shadows over various dimensions, from political to socio-religious aspects and the price of this malevolent trophy of inequality is bestowed unconditionally on women folk. They are the ones who bear the worst form of human abuse from the womb to the grave.
Gender inequality is the mother of all inequalities which prevents our country from realizing its full growth potential. In the word of our first woman PM, Indira Gandhi,” You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist.” This indeed justifies the uneven progress of India, when half of our population remains outside the path of development. In fact this problem is universal. Its presence can be felt in multiple forms across the globe. The recent report released by NITI Aayog, indicates the declining trend of sex ratio at birth (SRB), affecting 17 out 21 large states in our country. This is happening despite several empowerment measures being implemented and is therefore a cause of great worry. Views from multiple agents point towards the poor implementation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994. But it is also a fact that the gender problems in our country are outcomes of a plethora of historical injustice and discrimination, and the crime of such magnitude cannot be expected to be solved by a single Act on paper.
Women’s status- Past to present
A conscientious soul with the courage to accept the ugly truth will undoubtedly conclude that the status of women has not changed to the desired levels. And this fact is no different whether we are born in a patrilineal or matrilineal society, as long as male chauvinism prevails. Though a very short phase was visible where our women were more or less equal in status with men during the early Vedic era (1600-1000BC), an egalitarian set up took its shape when women had equal political power and could actively participate in governance and decision making through Sabha and Samitis. But with the entry of later Vedic phase, the Sabha and Samiti disintegrated and the subsequent emergence of the kingdom system (Mahajanapadas), became the sole figure of decision making. The entry of religion via the ugly Varna system based on caste is a dramatic shift from the class division practiced earlier, further ruined the status of women and since then they are at the receiving end of human injustice.
Deciphering the current status of women, the Global Gender Gap Index (GGI) released by World Economic forum (WEF) can provide us a clear insight to determine how much progress has been made in this regard, and the recent ranking is not encouraging at all (108th out 144 countries). The four parameters under GGI namely, health and survival, educational attainment, economic opportunity and political empowerment, enables us to measure the progress as well as the weaknesses, giving scope for improvements in our future policy making.
Coming back to each parameter, starting with health and survival, without going into the data one can always say women’s reproductive health is still poor if not worsened. Progress in Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) is visible but the pace of improvement has not kept abreast with the required speed. Anaemic related deaths, delivery related death, pre-natal and post-natal complications, adolescent health care etc are all the same challenges prevalent in the 1950s, in which even after the post LPG (liberalization, Privatisation and Globalisation) tools and technologies couldn’t eliminate. Although with the launch of NRHM and NURM (Rebranded as National Health Mission), a moral victory could be claimed with the increasing number of institutional deliveries, thereby preventing innumerable preventable deaths and the exemplary efforts of ANM and ASHAs is this regards is laudable.
To conclude one can say that women pay a heavy price for the hazards of health injustice, Its starts from birth and goes on to childhood, adulthood and womanhood because they are the ones who endure the biological responsibility of conceiving a baby, giving birth and finally the role of raising them. The male counterparts are relieve from the first-two roles but they hesitate to play the third role.
Educational attainment is no different for women, the literacy level of girls stands below boys consistently (girls -65%; boys-82%). Girl’s education is always considered a bad investment, the absurd social and cultural dogma places them at a disadvantage. Gandhi’s precept that a woman is the companion of man, gifted with equal mental capacity is not accepted in letter and spirit in Indian society till date. Over all educational upliftment of girls cannot be judged based upon some bang-up results in certain entrance exams, board exams, SSC or UPSC, they constitute only a minute drop in the oceans of women’s distress. Low education attainment finally takes shape in their low labour force partition rate, drubbing their struggle for a dignified life.
The abject performance in the above two parameters proves detrimental for the economic opportunity of women. Female Labour force participation rate (FLFP) as released by International labour organisation (ILO) India’s stands poorly at 121 out of 131, the worst indicator in South east Asia( except Pakistan). FLFP rate for India was 27% against China 63.9%, 56.3% in US, 79.9% in Nepal, 57.4% in Bangladesh etc. Hence we are not in a comfortable position at all. On one hand we are being recognised as one of the fastest growing economies in the world, whereas half of our population remains invisibles in the development process. The gender pay disparity, workplace harassment, safety concerns and household responsibility which particularly Indian women take by default, further weaken India’s FLFP.
The moribund Women’s Reservation Bill speaks of the state of Political empowerment commitments for women in India. The global average for women in parliament stands at 22.4%, India fares worst at mere 12%. The non passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill gives a clear signal of the dominance of male chauvinism. Recently a progressive step taken by Nagaland government to give political space in urban local bodies for women faced a huge protest forcing the government to abandon the whole process. Such protests typify the degree of intolerance by the male to see themselves on equal footing with women.
Women’s status in matrilineal society
In my limited wisdom I see no difference in terms of struggle and subjugation of our women even in our matrilineal society. The alpha male ego still rules the decision making process and man will always be considered as the head of the family. The lineage we carry from mother’s side is the only hallmark of being called a matrilineal society. Besides this our women shares the same fate as other women in this country. In fact the culture which we follow breeds further injustice, like the default inheritance of all family assets on the youngest daughter is incomprehensible nor does it justify this practice. Sometimes the most responsible person who has devoted his/her life for the family by virtue of being the eldest are ejected and made outcasts by the youngest daughter (Khun khatduh). Ironically even our Dorbar doesn’t allow women participation which eventually means no scope for grassroots political empowerments. We are no different from the Nagas, bringing customary rights to justify and safeguard the male selfish interest.
Women empowerment- cure for injustice and inequality
Women’s empowerment is the loudest statement we hear nowadays, but unfortunately it the least understood statement. In the words of Brigham young, “You educate a man, you educate only a man. You educate a woman, you educated a generation,” needs to be realized in letter and spirit, because an empowered women is the seed of all other empowerment. Central government initiatives of issuing welfare schemes in the name of a woman are the sign of acceptance of this fact and a step in the right direction too.
Stereotyping women’s capability is the worst form of violence we are committing towards our mothers and sisters, subjugating their rights and defeating the idea of a just and egalitarian society. The noble ideal of achieving an inclusive growth will remain a distant dream if we fail to acknowledge the importance of women’s empowerment in national development. Hilary Clinton put forward a very strong statement in this regard by saying that Human Rights are Women’s Rights and Women’s Rights are Human Rights once and for all, suggesting that women’s empowerment can be the remedy for the multiple problems arising from inequality.