THE CONTEXT: The World Bank (2018) categorizes violence against women and girls as a global pandemic, impacting not only the individuals affected but also broader economic and social structures. In India, high-profile incidents like the 2024 Kolkata case of a young female doctor’s assault underscore the persistent societal backlash against women’s empowerment and challenge the foundation of India’s developmental and democratic ethos.
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK:
- Economic Development and Gender Gap: In India, the labour force participation rate for urban educated women has risen, reflecting a growing presence in sectors like IT, healthcare, and education. Increased earning potential may provoke societal resentment in patriarchal settings. Empowerment outside the traditional “private sphere” confronts established gender norms, leading to reactions that seek to “correct” this perceived deviation.
- Backlash Effect and Gender-based Crimes: Patriarchal societies resist changes that challenge traditional power structures. Women’s increased presence in public spaces and their growing financial independence can spark reactions ranging from subtle discrimination to overt violence, including public crimes like assault and rape.
- Male Backlash: Female economic empowerment may unsettle existing hierarchies in gender-biased societies, where men’s identities are tied to traditional gender roles. In response to women stepping into roles previously reserved for men, patriarchal groups may increase resistance. This may take the form of restrictive norms or even violence to reaffirm male dominance.
THE ISSUES:
- Domestic Violence: While economic independence may improve women’s bargaining power, it also increases the risk of domestic violence in certain settings. Increased autonomy may lead women to assert themselves within the home, triggering backlash in households with strong patriarchal attitudes.
- Public Crimes: Crimes outside the home, such as harassment, assault, and rape, can also increase in regions where women’s empowerment disrupts the social order. Evidence from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) shows a correlation between states with high female labor participation and rising reports of assault, underscoring the complexities of empowerment in traditional societies.
- Patriarchal vs. Feminist Factions: Societies with high levels of gender bias often experience conflict between patriarchal and progressive groups. The backlash is especially evident in communities where traditional values strongly dictate women’s roles. In India, data reveals that regions with high levels of “missing women” and higher prevalence of purdah see more resistance to female empowerment.
- Cultural and Institutional Biases: Indicators such as the prevalence of purdah and son preference underscore how ingrained norms can shape women’s experiences. The “missing women” phenomenon in India represents a powerful cultural measure of gender bias, as it reflects the societal preference for sons and discrimination against daughters. States like Haryana and Punjab, with high instances of missing women, also exhibit some of the highest crime rates against women.
- Bargaining Power and Domestic Violence: When gender bias is low, women’s economic empowerment improves household bargaining power and reduces domestic violence. For instance, in Kerala, known for relatively progressive gender norms, women’s increased earnings correlate with lower instances of domestic violence. However, in states with higher institutional gender biases, such as Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, economic empowerment may lead to increased domestic tensions.
THE WAY FORWARD:
- Educational Reforms: Programs that promote gender-sensitive curricula in schools to counteract stereotypes.
- Legal Reforms: Strengthening laws against gender-based violence, such as the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA) in India. Enhancing enforcement and providing support for victims will also reduce under-reporting.
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Large-scale campaigns, such as “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao,” can foster greater acceptance of women’s public roles and contributions.
- Empowering Local Bodies: Community-level initiatives involving local leaders can encourage more progressive gender norms and reduce resistance to women’s empowerment.
- Economic Incentives for Female Empowerment: Incentivizing female participation in the workforce can both improve GDP growth and reduce economic dependency on patriarchal systems. Providing support for women entrepreneurs via MUDRA scheme.
THE CONCLUSION:
Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted policy approach that not only targets legal protections and cultural changes but also offers economic opportunities that make female empowerment more socially sustainable. India’s future economic and social progress depends on creating an environment where empowerment is celebrated rather than punished, supporting long-term societal growth and resilience.
UPSC PAST YEAR QUESTION:
Q. “Though women in post-Independent India have excelled in various fields, the social attitude towards women and feminist movement has been patriarchial.” Apart from women education and women empowerment schemes, what interventions can help change this milieu? 2021
MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION:
Q. Examine the relationship between female empowerment and crime against women in India, with particular emphasis on the role of economic development and societal gender bias.
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