Answer:
The Approach
Introduction: Mention the fact that challenges exist for women in their day to day lives despite many of them had adorned high offices.
Body: Discuss the challenges faced by women in India across both time and space.
Conclusion: Finish by reflecting on the need for sustained efforts to address these issues. Emphasize the importance of tailored solutions to overcome these disparities.
Introduction
Approximately one-sixth of the global female population live in India and many of them has achieved success in the fields like polity, administration, business, management, academics, law etc. Still the existence of a large majority remains limited within the four walls of their homes. Despite advancements in law, education, and economic opportunities, women in India continue to encounter challenges in their day-to-day life. They act as a barrier against gender equality and full empowerment.
Body
The challenges faced by women are a product of hegemonic patriarchy prevalent in the Indian society. Some of the most visible ones are discussed below:
Historical Inequality: Deep-rooted patriarchal norms have historically placed women in subordinate roles, limiting their opportunities in education, employment, and decision-making processes. E.g. household work, Purdah system, and inheritance rights.
Educational Barriers: Although women literacy has improved, gender disparity in education persists, especially in rural areas where girls are often deprived of schooling. According to the Census of India 2011, the literacy rate for males was 82.14%, while for females it was 65.46%.
Economic Inequality: Women face wage gaps and limited career advancement. They are underrepresented in high-paying jobs and leadership positions across various industries. According to the Global Wage Report 2018-19 of the International Labour Organization, Indian women are paid, on an average, 34% less than men.
Legal Inequities: Implementation of laws protecting women’s rights is often weak, and legal justice can be slow or inaccessible, perpetuating discrimination. A report by National Legal Services Authority (2018-19) indicated that only 12% of women eligible for free legal aid were able to access it, due to a lack of information and legal infrastructure.
Traditional Gender Roles: Societal expectations often confine women to domestic responsibilities, hindering their personal and professional growth. According to the Time Use Survey 2019 conducted by the National Statistical Office, Indian women spend an average of 299 minutes (almost 5 hours) per day on unpaid domestic work, compared to 97 minutes by men.
Malnutrition: Historically women, especially in low-income families, have suffered from nutritional deficiencies due to food distribution biases within households. 18.7% of women aged 15-49 years have a Body Mass Index (BMI) below normal (under 18.5 kg/m²).
Political Under-representation: Women are under-represented in political offices at local, state, and national levels. Social norms, lack of support, and political violence deter women from entering politics. It affects the prioritization of issues affecting women in policymaking. Only 13.6% members in the current Lok Sabha are women while in the Rajya Sabha, their representation is just 13%.
Violence Against Women: Domestic Violence, practices like dowry, honor killings, and female infanticide continue to endanger women’s lives. According to the 2022 report of the National Crime Records Bureau, a total of 4,45,256 cases of crimes against women were recorded in India, marking a 4% increase from 2021.
Safety in Public Spaces: Women frequently face harassment in public places. Inadequate security measures in urban and rural settings exacerbate safety issue which restrict their participation in social, educational, and economic activities. According to the UN Women report (2014), 84% of women in New Delhi reported being harassed in public transport, with the majority of incidents involving verbal harassment and inappropriate physical touch.
Urban-Rural Disparities: Women in rural areas often have less access to healthcare, education, and employment opportunities compared to their urban counterparts. Rural regions may adhere more strictly to traditional norms that restrict women’s roles and rights. Women account for 55% of the agricultural labor force, yet only 12.8% of land holdings are owned by them, according to the Agricultural Census 2015-16.
Workplace Environment: Spatial Segregation, lack of women-friendly facilities like restrooms and childcare centers in workplaces, harassment at work, glass ceiling etc. can discourage women from joining or remaining in the workforce. According to a FICCI-EY (2015) survey, 36% of Indian companies reported receiving complaints of sexual harassment.
Housing and Living Conditions: Overcrowding, poor sanitation, and heightened vulnerability to crime, lack of private and safe sanitation facilities exposes women to health risks and personal safety threats. According to the Safe Cities Index (2019) by The Economic Intelligence Unit, many Indian cities rank poorly in terms of infrastructure safety for women, with New Delhi and Mumbai ranking in the lower half of the global index for urban safety.
Border and Conflict Areas: Women in areas affected by insurgency or border conflicts face additional security risks and limited access to government services. According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR),sexual violence is a pervasive feature of armed conflict, affecting millions of women and girls worldwide.
Conclusion
Despite progress in legislation and increased awareness, these challenges continue to hinder women’s full participation in society. Addressing these challenges requires sustained efforts that consider the historical context and regional differences. Only by acknowledging and actively confronting these ongoing issues can India hope to empower its women and achieve true social progress. Better implementation of laws, self-help groups, affirmative action, and women-oriented policies can certainly help in this direction.
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