INDEX
1. Introduction.
2. Highlight the Plight of Oppressed Gender.
3. Discrimination at Different Places.
4. Women’s Ideology Towards Gender Inequality.
5. Movements Against Gender Inequality.
6. Kamala Das – Indian Writer’s Quest for Liberation.
7. Supreme Court Decision in India– Rights Impact.
8. Changing Mindsets Towards Gender Equality.
9.Learning Outcome.
10.Bibliography.
INTRODUCTION
“The issue of gender is a key feature in the
social and economic structures world over.
Fairness is not all that is involved in
understanding gender inequality as it also
relates to sustainable development.
This project will examine dimensions surrounding
gender equity across different cultures, focusing
on challenges faced by oppressed genders, abuse
within families, workplaces, and schools. It will
also expose women's opinions about gender
differences as well as talk about important
social movements such as India’s #Metoo campaign.
Additionally, the study will also look into the
works of Kamala Das especially her depiction of
freedom through her writings.
Among other things, this project aims at
highlighting recent developments including
landmark judgments by Indian Supreme Court
affecting rights of genders and suggesting ways
to promote an inclusive mindset among people
today.”
The Plight of Oppressed
Gender
“Gender Inequality - Gender inequality refers to
the unequal treatment or perceptions of
individuals based on their gender.”
1.Gender inequality negatively impacts both men and women. Less
than 40% of countries offer equal access to education, and two-
thirds of 774 million illiterate adults are women. Women earn
less than men for the same work and perform the majority of
unpaid care work. Rigid gender norms harm mental health.
Addressing inequality requires transforming power relations and
engaging men as allies.
Men often face societal pressure due to stereotypes that
position them as the primary earners or more inherently valuable
than women.
2. Injustice - Some
laws and social rules treat women and other
genders unfairly. Examples include biased inheritance laws,
limits on reproductive rights, and workplace favouritism towards
men. To fix these issues, we need to change the laws and the way
society thinks to be fair to everyone. Around 2.4 billion women
of working age are not given equal economic opportunity
globally.
3. Deprivation in other fields of life -
3.1 Economic Deprivation- Women often earn less money and
have trouble accessing financial services, which makes
it hard for them to be financially independent. For
example, women typically earn 77 cents for every
dollar, men earn.
3.2 Educational Deprivation- Many girls cannot get proper
education because of cultural, economic, and societal
barriers, like early marriage and household chores.
This keeps them in poverty and limits their job
opportunities.
3.3 Social Deprivation- Traditional gender norms severely
limit women's involvement in community and political
life, leading to social exclusion. Globally, women
represent only about 25% of parliamentarians as of
2021 (Inter-Parliamentary Union), reflecting cultural
barriers that discourage women from seeking leadership
roles. These norms also restrict women's opportunities
in community leadership, reinforcing stereotypes that
prioritize their roles in caregiving and domestic
duties over public decision-making.
3.4 Pain and Agony- Gender discrimination and violence
cause deep emotional and psychological pain. Women
often feel fear, sadness, and anxiety due to unfair
treatment. These experiences can lead to long-term
mental health issues like depression and PTSD.
Let’s look at some statistics to better understand the situation.
Rank Region Overall Gender
Gap Index (2021)
1 Western Europe 0.77
2 North America 0.76
3 Latin America and the Caribbean 0.71
4 Eastern Europe and Central Asia 0.71
5 East Asia and the Pacific 0.69
6 Sub-Saharan Africa 0.67
7 South Asia 0.62
8 Middle East and North Africa 0.61
Global Average 0.69
Gender parity will be reached in the year 2157!
Despite all the progress that has been made, it will still
take 134 years for the world to reach full parity, according to
the World Economic Forum.
Out of all the regions, Western Europe has the smallest gender
gap, with a score of 0.77. At this rate, the gender gap in
Western Europe could be closed in approximately 52.1 years, more
than 82 years faster than the global estimate.
Discrimination at
Different Places
“Gender Discrimination can manifest in different
places including workplaces, educational
institutions, public spaces, online
environments”
At the Workplace Women earn less than men for the same roles and
face barriers to senior positions, while men may struggle in
female-dominated fields due to stereotypes and biases.
At Online Spaces Gender discrimination often manifests through
cyberbullying and stereotypes. Women commonly face demeaning
comments, threats, and exclusion based on gender stereotypes.
Similarly, men who defy traditional norms of masculinity may
encounter mockery and challenges to their identity.
At Homes Women often find their opportunities limited to
traditional roles, impacting their career and personal
aspirations. Meanwhile, men face pressures to conform strictly
to traditional masculinity, influencing their self-expression
and roles within the household dynamic.
At Schools Girls frequently encounter discouragement when
pursuing STEM subjects, while boys may face stigma for showing
interest in fields like arts or tailor. This can wound up the
mindset of a child from an early age
Combatting gender stereotypes in education systems in India
requires a multi-angled approach.
1. Gender-Sensitive Curriculum Design
Review and Revise Textbooks: Ensure textbooks and teaching
materials depict men and women in diverse roles, breaking
away from traditional stereotypes. For example, show men as
caregivers and women as leaders.
Incorporate Gender Equality Topics: Include lessons on
gender equality, rights, and the impact of stereotypes to
build awareness among students.
2. Teacher Training
Sensitize Teachers: Provide training to educators to
recognize and challenge their own biases and promote
inclusive behavior in the classroom.
Gender-Neutral Practices: Train teachers to avoid practices
that reinforce stereotypes, like assigning leadership roles
based on gender.
3. Inclusive Classroom Practices
Mixed-Gender Activities: Encourage boys and girls to
collaborate on projects, sports, and activities, breaking
traditional gender roles.
Avoid Segregation: Refrain from segregating students by
gender for tasks, competitions, or seating arrangements.
Ideology of Women
towards Gender Inequality
“Most women believe in gender equality and that
men and women can play any role regardless of
their gender. However, women still face many
obstacles and discrimination in areas like
politics, work, and society.”
Most women around the world believe in equality between men and
women. Surveys show women tend to have a higher level of support
for equal rights compared to men. For example, in India, women
are only modestly more likely than men to say both genders
should have the same opportunities in life. However, despite
this general belief in equality, women continue to face
persistent discrimination and barriers in many countries.
Women often experience outdated attitudes about gender roles. In
India, a staggering 86% of women agree that "a wife must always
obey her husband", reflecting deeply entrenched patriarchal
norms. The media also plays a role in perpetuating traditional
female stereotypes, with 68% of respondents believing the media
portrays women primarily in roles like wives, mothers and
caregivers rather than showing the diversity of women's lives
and capabilities.
Despite facing discrimination and inequality, women have
demonstrated resilience and developed strategies to combat these
challenges. Successful approaches involve community-based
interventions, reduce gender-based violence, and demonstrate the
benefits of gender equality for all.
Education is a critical tool for empowering women and combating
inequality. Organizations like the Malala Fund, founded by
Malala Yousafzai, work to ensure girls worldwide have access to
education. By promoting education, these organizations help
women gain the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue careers
and become economically independent.
Public awareness campaigns, such as the #HeForShe movement,
encourage societal change by promoting gender equality and
challenging stereotypes. These campaigns engage men and boys as
allies in the fight for gender equality, fostering a culture of
respect and equality.
Cross-cultural differences in women's ideologies about gender
roles.
Economic Development and Workforce Participation
Developing Nations: Women often embrace traditional roles
focused on family and domestic responsibilities, driven by
limited access to education and employment.
Industrialized Nations: Women advocate for workplace
equality, leadership roles, and rights like equal pay due
to greater economic opportunities and education.
Religious and Cultural Influences
Religious Societies: Gender roles often reflect cultural or
religious norms, emphasizing modesty and traditional family
roles.
Secular Societies: Women challenge stereotypes and prioritize
independence and equality in cultures emphasizing personal
freedom.
Urban vs. Rural Divide
Rural Areas: Women often adhere to traditional roles due to
cultural conservatism and limited access to external
influences.
Urban Areas: Women tend to hold progressive views due to
exposure to diverse ideologies, education, and
opportunities.
Movements against
Gender Inequality
“Global movements have emerged to combat gender
inequality, advocating for equal rights,
opportunities, and treatment for all genders
through various strategies and reforms.”
The “MeToo Movement”- The #MeToo movement, which began in the
United States in 2006 and gained worldwide prominence in 2017,
made significant inroads in India as well. It created a platform
for women to share their experiences of sexual harassment and
assault.
Origin - The movement in India surged in late 2018 when actress
Tanushree Dutta accused Nana Patekar of sexual harassment,
prompting many women across various sectors to share their own
experiences of harassment and abuse.
It had several impacts in India,
Public Awareness: It brought sexual harassment into public
discussions, challenging silence and stigma.
Legal Reforms: Calls for stricter enforcement of laws and
workplace policies, focusing on the Vishaka Guidelines and
the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace
Corporate Changes: High-profile resignations and policy
revisions occurred,prompting organizations to strengthen
their approaches to handling complaints.
Significant Cases-
MJ Akbar: The prominent journalist and politician was
accused by multiple women of sexual harassment during
his tenure as a journalist. Akbar resigned from his
ministerial position and filed a defamation case
against journalist Priya Ramani, which he later lost.
Alok Nath: The veteran actor faced allegations of rape
and harassment from writer-producer Vinta Nanda and
other actresses. These allegations led to his
expulsion from the Cinema and TV Artistes Association.
Vikas Bahl: The Bollywood director was accused of
sexual misconduct by a former employee. The
controversy led to the dissolution of his production
company, Phantom Films, and his temporary removal from
projects.
Other Important Movements and Their Achievements-
Gulabi Gang - Originating in Uttar Pradesh, India, the
Gulabi Gang is a grassroots movement led by women to
combat domestic violence and gender injustice. The
members, known for their pink sarees, take direct
action to protect and empower women, often confronting
abusers and corrupt officials. Their efforts have led
to increased awareness and support for victims of
domestic violence.
Time’s Up! - Founded on 1 January 2018 in response to
the #MeToo movement, Time’s Up focuses on addressing
systemic inequality and injustice in the workplace. It
provides legal support to victims of sexual harassment
and works towards creating safe and equitable work
environments for all genders.
Kamla Das - The Voice of
Indian Woman’s Quest for
Liberation
“Kamala Das, also known by her pen names
Madhavikutty and Kamala Surayya, was born on
March 31, 1934, in Punnayurkulam, Kerala, India.
She hailed from a literary family; her mother,
Balamani Amma, was a renowned poet, and her
father, V.M. Nair, was a prominent journalist.
Das grew up in an environment steeped in
literature and the arts, which deeply influenced
her writing career.
Educated in both Kerala and Calcutta, Kamala
Das's early exposure to diverse cultures and
languages enriched her literary style. She
married at the young age of 15 to Madhava Das, a
banker, and moved to Mumbai. Despite her early
marriage and the responsibilities of raising
three children, she pursued her passion for
writing, becoming one of India's most influential
and outspoken female poets.”
As a confessional poet, Das boldly shared her personal
experiences, emotions, and struggles. This style let her talk
about very personal and often controversial topics, creating a
sense of connection and shared experiences among women readers.
Her honesty and openness helped to reduce the silence and stigma
around women's issues.
Das's works often criticize the systems that keep women in
submissive roles. Her poetry reflects the struggles of women
stuck in domestic roles, craving for freedom and self-
expression. By highlighting these issues, she drew attention to
the injustice women face and advocated for their freedom.
Kamala Das bravely tackled forbidden topics and criticized male-
dominated rules in her writing, leaving a profound mark on
Indian literature and feminist discussions. She opened doors for
future women writers to share their truths, contributing greatly
to the ongoing struggle for women's rights in India. Her
fearless and honest writing still encourages and strengthens
women today, establishing her as a key figure in the fight for
gender equality.
Kamala Das addressed gender equality and women's empowerment in
significant works like "The Looking Glass," which celebrates
female desire and independence, and her autobiography, "My
Story," where she openly discusses her life and supports women's
freedom. In "The Old Playhouse," she critiques patriarchal
norms, highlighting personal freedom and relationship
complexities. Through these writings, Kamala Das challenges
traditional gender roles, urging readers to rethink women's
roles in society.
Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers
"Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers" is a poem by Adrienne
Rich, an American poet and feminist. While not
authored by Kamala Das, the poem resonates with
similar themes of female oppression and the quest
for liberation, making it relevant in the
discussion of gender issues.”
Oppression and Patriarchy: Aunt Jennifer's life is depicted as
burdened by patriarchal oppression, symbolized by the weight of
her husband's wedding band on her hands. This symbolism
highlights the constraints and burdens placed on women within
traditional marriages which is very common in India.
Symbolism of Tigers: Aunt Jennifer's embroidery of tigers
symbolizes qualities like strength, freedom, and courage that
she longs for but cannot fully experience in her own life. The
lively and vivid imagery of the tigers starkly contrasts with
her quiet and limited existence.
Escapism Through Art: Through her artistic creation of tigers,
Aunt Jennifer finds a means of expressing her desires and
asserting an identity separate from her role as a submissive
wife. The act of embroidery becomes a form of escape and a
silent protest against the limitations imposed on her.
Critique of Gender Roles: The poem serves as a critique of
traditional gender roles that confine women like Aunt Jennifer
to passive and subservient positions within marriage. It
highlights the societal expectations and pressures that restrict
women's autonomy and personal fulfillment.
