Roadmap for Answer Writing

Introduction

• Define patriarchy as a social system characterized by male dominance, where men hold power in various sectors such as politics, economy, and family.
• Briefly explain how patriarchy affects women’s lives, constraining their freedom in personal, social, economic, and political domains.

Body

1. Patriarchy’s Influence on Personal Realms

• Family dynamics: Women are expected to conform to traditional gender roles such as taking care of children and managing household chores.
  • Fact: The Time Use Survey (2019-2020) by MoSPI reveals that women in India spend three times more hours than men on unpaid domestic work.
• Gender socialization: From a young age, girls are socialized to prioritize caregiving and domesticity, limiting their individual aspirations.
• Reproductive rights control: Women face societal pressure regarding marriage and motherhood, curbing their autonomy over reproductive choices.
  • Fact: The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) indicates that around 13% of married women in India have unmet needs for family planning.

2. Patriarchy’s Impact on Social Relationships

• Surveillance and moral policing: Women’s behavior, attire, and relationships are scrutinized through patriarchal norms.
• Power imbalances: Patriarchy reinforces unequal relationships, leading to domestic violence, marital coercion, and restrictions on women’s personal freedoms.
  • Fact: According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB, 2019), over 147,000 cases of cruelty by husbands or relatives were reported.
• Social discrimination: Women from marginalized communities face compounded discrimination due to caste, class, and gender, limiting their access to resources and opportunities.
  • Fact: Dalit women experience overlapping discrimination, making them more vulnerable to violence and exclusion.

3. Patriarchy’s Limitation on Economic Opportunities

• Gender wage gap: Patriarchy perpetuates wage disparities between men and women.
  • Fact: The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report (2021) ranks India 140th out of 156 countries in terms of wage equality for similar work.
• Occupational segregation: Gender roles segregate women into specific, lower-paying jobs, limiting their opportunities for career growth.
• Glass ceiling: Women face barriers to accessing executive positions in organizations.
  • Fact: Women hold only about 17% of board seats in India, limiting their influence on corporate decision-making.
• Limited access to financial resources: Patriarchy hinders women’s access to loans and credit, stifling their entrepreneurial potential.
  • Fact: NFHS-5 data shows healthy growth in women with bank accounts (73%) but not in credit access.

4. Patriarchy’s Denial of Political Empowerment

• Underrepresentation in leadership roles: Women remain significantly underrepresented in political offices.
  • Fact: Women hold only around 14% of seats in the Indian Parliament.
• Social and cultural barriers: Patriarchal norms discourage women from entering politics, with societal biases undermining their credibility.
• Lack of access to resources: Limited access to education, finance, and political networks restricts women’s political participation.
• Violence and harassment: Women in politics face violence, intimidation, and harassment, deterring their engagement in political processes.

5. Measures to Combat Patriarchy and Empower Women

• Gender-responsive legislation: Enact and enforce laws to promote women’s rights and protection, ensuring equal opportunities.
• Quotas and affirmative action: Implement reservation systems in political spaces to ensure women’s representation and empowerment.
• Engaging men as allies: Promote male involvement in challenging patriarchal norms and fostering inclusive environments.
• Safe spaces and support systems: Create environments free from violence and discrimination where women can freely express themselves and participate in society.

Conclusion

• Summarize the pervasive influence of patriarchy on women’s lives, emphasizing the need for systemic change.
• Highlight the importance of policy reforms, societal changes, and collective efforts in dismantling patriarchy to empower women.

By following this roadmap, you can address the various facets of how patriarchy impacts women’s lives and discuss the measures required for their empowerment, with supporting facts to make your argument stronger.