Indian Society

Model Answer

Gender equality, gender equity, and women’s empowerment are interconnected concepts aimed at addressing disparities between genders.

1. Gender Equality: This refers to the equal treatment of individuals regardless of gender, ensuring that everyone has the same rights, responsibilities, and opportunities. It emphasizes eliminating discrimination and promoting equal access to resources and opportunities, such as education and employment.
2. Gender Equity: Unlike equality, gender equity recognizes that men and women have different needs and experiences. It focuses on fairness and justice by providing resources and opportunities tailored to address historical and social disadvantages faced by women. For example, initiatives like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao in India aim to correct gender imbalances in education and healthcare.
3. Women’s Empowerment: This concept involves enhancing women’s ability to make choices and control resources, leading to greater independence and decision-making power. Programs like Self Help Groups (SHGs) in India exemplify this by providing women with financial independence and leadership opportunities.

Importance of Incorporating Gender Concerns in Programme Design and Implementation

1. Addressing Historical Disparities: Gender-sensitive programs help rectify historical imbalances, ensuring women receive necessary support to overcome traditional marginalization.
2. Economic Growth: Gender equality can significantly boost economic growth. For instance, McKinsey Global Institute estimates that India’s GDP could increase by $770 billion by 2025 with improved gender parity in the workforce.
3. Better Health Outcomes: Programs that consider gender lead to improved health outcomes, particularly in maternal and reproductive health. For example, the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana supports pregnant women with financial incentives for better healthcare.
4. Political Representation: Incorporating gender concerns ensures women’s perspectives are included in policy-making, leading to more inclusive governance. The Women’s Reservation Act of 2023 aims to reserve 33% of parliamentary seats for women.
5. Sustainable Development Goals: Gender equality is integral to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5, which focuses on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

By integrating gender considerations into program design, we can foster a more equitable and sustainable future for all.

Model Answer

Introduction

Patriarchy remains a dominant social system, deeply influencing various aspects of women’s lives. It restricts their autonomy in personal, social, economic, and political spheres. By granting power and privileges to men, patriarchy subordinates women, perpetuating gender inequality.

Infiltrating Women’s Personal Realms

Patriarchy dictates traditional gender roles within the family, where women are expected to handle unpaid domestic work. According to the Time Use Survey (2019-2020), women in India spend three times more hours on household duties than men. Socialization practices further reinforce these roles, as girls are taught to prioritize family and caregiving, limiting their personal ambitions. Additionally, societal pressure over reproductive rights restricts women’s agency, evidenced by the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), which shows 13% of married women have unmet family planning needs, reflecting limited control over reproductive decisions.

Entangling Social Bonds

Patriarchal norms regulate women’s behavior through surveillance and moral policing, dictating their attire, relationships, and lifestyle. Women face social discrimination, especially from marginalized communities. Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (2019) highlights over 147,000 reported cases of cruelty by husbands or relatives. Moreover, Dalit women experience compounded discrimination due to both caste and gender, leading to their further marginalization.

Restricting Economic Opportunities

Women face wage disparities, occupational segregation, and limited career advancement. According to the World Economic Forum (2021), India ranks 140th out of 156 countries in wage equality for similar work. Women’s access to financial resources, such as loans, remains limited, hindering entrepreneurial efforts. Additionally, the “glass ceiling” restricts women from reaching executive positions, with women holding only 17% of board seats in India.

Withholding Political Empowerment

Patriarchy limits women’s political participation. In India, women hold only 14% of parliamentary seats. Social biases and stereotypes, coupled with lack of resources and safety concerns, deter women from entering politics. Violence and harassment further restrict their political participation.

Needful Measures

To overcome patriarchal constraints, it is essential to implement gender-responsive laws, establish quotas for political representation, and promote gender equality in decision-making. Encouraging male allies and creating safe spaces for women in politics will help dismantle patriarchal structures.

Conclusion

Addressing patriarchy requires systemic change, ensuring women have equal opportunities and the freedom to participate fully in all aspects of life. With targeted measures and social support, we can pave the way for a more equitable future for women.