Gender-Related Social Issues in India: An Overview
India, with its rich cultural diversity and complex social fabric, faces a multitude of gender-related social issues. These challenges are deeply rooted in patriarchal norms, socio-economic disparities, and traditional beliefs. Despite legal provisions and progressive policies, gender inequality remains pervasive across various spheres of life. Below is an exploration of key gender-related social issues in India, illustrated with relevant examples.
1. Gender Discrimination and Patriarchy
Patriarchy—the social system where men hold primary power—is the fundamental cause of gender inequality in India. This system privileges men over women in family, society, politics, and the economy.
- Example: Preference for male children leads to practices like sex-selective abortions, skewing the sex ratio. The 2011 Census showed India’s sex ratio was 940 females per 1000 males, reflecting this imbalance.
- Women often face discrimination in inheritance, property rights, and decision-making within families.
2. Violence Against Women
Violence against women is a widespread and grave issue, manifesting in various forms including domestic violence, sexual harassment, rape, and honor killings.
- Domestic Violence: According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), about 29% of Indian women aged 15-49 have experienced physical violence since age 15.
- Sexual Violence: High-profile cases like the Nirbhaya rape case (2012) shocked the nation and highlighted the urgent need for stronger legal protections.
- Honor Killings: Women, especially in rural areas, face violence for marrying outside caste or religion, as seen in parts of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
3. Female Foeticide and Infanticide
The preference for sons has led to the killing of female fetuses and newborn girls, severely affecting the population balance.
- Technologies like prenatal sex determination are misused despite legal bans under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994.
- States like Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan have notably skewed sex ratios due to these practices.
4. Lack of Access to Education
Though India has made strides in increasing female literacy, gender gaps persist, especially in rural and marginalized communities.
- Girls often drop out due to early marriage, household responsibilities, safety concerns, and lack of sanitation facilities in schools.
- Example: The District Information System for Education (DISE) report showed a significant dropout rate of girls after primary school in many parts of India.
5. Child Marriage
Child marriage remains prevalent, especially in rural areas, limiting girls’ opportunities for education and personal growth.
- According to UNICEF, nearly 27% of Indian girls are married before the age of 18.
- Child marriage often leads to early pregnancies, health complications, and perpetuation of poverty.
6. Economic Inequality and Employment
Women’s participation in the workforce in India is low compared to men, and when employed, women often face wage discrimination and occupational segregation.
- Women constitute around 20-25% of the formal workforce, and many are concentrated in informal, low-paid, and unregulated sectors like domestic work and agriculture.
- The gender pay gap persists, with women earning significantly less than men for similar work.
7. Health and Nutrition
Women’s health is compromised due to inadequate access to healthcare, nutrition, and reproductive services.
- Malnutrition is widespread among women and girls, affecting maternal and child health.
- Maternal mortality remains a concern, though it has improved due to government schemes like Janani Suraksha Yojana.
- Lack of awareness and stigma around menstrual health leads to poor hygiene practices and school absenteeism.
8. Political Underrepresentation
Women are significantly underrepresented in politics and decision-making bodies.
- Despite constituting nearly half the population, women hold only about 14% of seats in the Lok Sabha (lower house of Parliament) as of 2024.
- Local governance has seen better participation due to reservation of seats for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), yet challenges remain at higher levels.
9. Gender-Based Cultural Practices
Traditional customs often restrict women’s freedoms and reinforce gender roles.
- Practices such as dowry, though illegal, continue and lead to harassment and violence.
- Restrictions on women’s mobility, dress codes, and social interactions are prevalent in many conservative communities.
10. LGBTQ+ Rights and Gender Diversity
Gender issues in India are not limited to the binary framework of men and women. The LGBTQ+ community faces discrimination, stigma, and violence.
- Though the decriminalization of homosexuality (Section 377) in 2018 was a landmark judgment, social acceptance remains limited.
- Transgender individuals often face exclusion from education, employment, and healthcare.
Conclusion
India’s gender-related social issues are complex and multifaceted, intersecting with caste, class, religion, and geography. While legal reforms and activism have made important strides, deep-seated patriarchal attitudes continue to hinder gender equality. Addressing these issues requires sustained efforts in education, economic empowerment, legal enforcement, and cultural change. Promoting gender sensitivity and inclusivity is essential for building a just and equitable society.
Subscribe on YouTube - NotesWorld
For PDF copy of Solved Assignment
Any University Assignment Solution
.webp)
