Gender Equality A Myth

Imagine:
You manage to squeeze yourself into a crowded PMT bus and scan
around in hope of finding an empty seat. You find a young man sitting on a seat
reserved for mahilayein. If youre a woman, you distinctly frown in that
direction thinking that guy has no manners OR education! If youre a man, you
will either support that person thinking good for him! Why do ladies need
reserved seats anyway or disapprove, thinking that seat is rightfully for women.
If youre the woman or the second guy, youre promoting gender inequality.
We need no stats, influential speakers or heated debates to simply state that
gender inequality exist in our country. Everyone knows that. We come across it
everywhere, in education, society, religion and politics. Very few of us (mostly
the women!) stop to introspect the teachings of our culture, percolated through
thousands of years of tradition, and even fewer realize that what mightve been
the best practice at that time may actually be a hindrance to our own progress
as an individual and society in the modern world.
Our nation is quite the confused adolescent child. Gender inequality is deeply
rooted in our culture and the very words like patriarchal society, raksha
bandhan, dowry and karwachauth say out loud that the women of our
society are the weaker sex and need to be protected. As quoted from an article The origin of the Indian idea of appropriate female behavior can be traced to
the rules laid down by Manu in 200 B.C.: "by a young girl, by a young woman, or
even by an aged one, nothing must be done independently, even in her own
house Kinda shocking, isnt it?
We parade in our day-to-day lives without realizing the discrimination we may
promote, or be subjected to. From the moment were born, the process of
gendering begins, as our parents teach us the social responsibilities we will bear
and what is considered appropriate. A girl is taught to behave reservedly, and
a boy is taught to be strong as they will be the head of the family. How many
families out their dream of their daughters being the CEO of some company, or
being a national icon? Most usually start worrying about her marriage after
merely a couple of years of adulthood. A daughters birth is still perceived as a
burden and our world-famous rates of female feticide provide ample proof for the
same. Even in cities there exist a lot of cultural stereotypes like chivalry (a
classic form of men expected to assume the stronger and nobler role, taking it as
their duty to protect the weak), job discrimination (in promotions and assuming
roles of greater responsibility), and even the rules of sport are different for men
and women! Women cricket was not broadcasted until recently.
Sociology defines gender as the way societies make a distinction between men
and women and assign them social roles. Biology says men and women are
different. Expecting equality there is completely paradoxical and borders on
sarcasm! Any scientific researches on gender-inequality are nonchalantly
dismissed by the gender depicted as weak in the respective researches. Rape is
a classic example of human nature ruling over the weaker sex. So that means

inequality may not always be against women. In jobs where presentation and
glamour matters, women are preferred. When was the last time you went upto a
reception desk and saw a handsome young man there instead of a woman?
So then, inequality exists. And we certainly wont abolish our culture to get rid of
it. So whats the solution? It is, of course, to focus on merit and not gender.
Parents ought to change this attitude first and teach children of both the sexes to
respect each other. People around us should be viewed as persons, and not men
and women. But along with this attitude, we also need to recognize our
capabilities as a being. Men and women should play to their strengths and
acknowledge where they lack, instead of fighting for the superior position every
time!
However, a mindset takes time to build. Until then, we as a society should take
certain steps to reduce the harm caused by centuries of mal-practices and
biased philosophies to safeguard our present for a better future. Traditions that
devalue women should be reformed to promote equal value for both genders.
Grave issues like rape, dowry and female feticide should be subjected to
stringent, harsh punishments. Positive discrimination should be encouraged like
providing secure and accessible facilities to women. Rural areas can have
schemes that favour all families who take special efforts for educating and
empowering their girl child.
Our aim must be to abolish all such practices in the long run. There should be no
need to have a reservation system for women. No woman in this country should
be compelled to sayit is a curse to be born as a woman in this country.
Go for gender respect, not gender equality

Amolika Pardeshi