GENDER AND CAREER ASPIRATIONS
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CAREER AND GENDER ASPIRATIONS
Various social, cultural, economic, and occasionally even psychological factors
influence the relationship between gender and job aspirations. Gender frequently has a
big impact on how people want their careers to turn out. Gender expectations, social
and cultural standards, and opportunity accessibility are a few instances of how various
factors impact the disparity in gender goals between men and women.
1. RIGHT TO EDUCATION ACT (2009)
The Right to Education (RTE) Act of 2009 in India mandates free and compulsory
education for children aged 6 to 14, regardless of gender. This act makes it necessary
to provide free and compulsory education. The Act guarantees every child the right to a
free and obligatory education in a local school until the conclusion of elementary school.
Responsibilities of Government and Local Authorities It is the responsibility of the
government and local authorities to ensure that students are admitted, attend, and
complete elementary school.
Non-discrimination: The Act forbids any type of discrimination against children based
on caste, gender, religion, or socioeconomic position during the admissions and
education process.It also stated and enforced that professors should not provide private
tuition or work in non-teaching positions.
2. WITH 48.5 PERCENT OF ITS FEMALE POPULATION, INDIA IS THE WORLDS
SECOND MOST POPULATED COUNTRY.
Females account for around 48.5% of India's population, or around 675 million women
and girls. This demography has a significant impact on the country's social and
economic conditions. Economic Contribution: Women in India make important and
remarkable contributions to the economy, particularly in agricultural and small-scale
enterprises, and increasingly in urban sectors such as information technology,
education, healthcare, and finance. The transition from rural to urban is progressing
rapidly, with increased resources and support for women. Social Progress: The
emphasis on female education, health, and empowerment has grown, as have many
government initiatives targeted at enhancing women's rights. Programs such as "Beti
Bachao, Beti Padhao" and reservations for women in local government are milestones
towards gender equality. Females have also made great contributions to sports, as
evidenced by previous years and even this year's, i.e. the 2024 Paris Olympics. Despite
these attempts, difficulties like as gender-based violence, educational inequality, and
employment gaps continue.
3. HIGHER EDUCATION IS A POWERFUL TOOL FOR OVERALL DEVELOPMENT.
Higher education is an important driver of India's overall growth and development. It
contributes significantly to economic advancement, social reform, and cultural
enrichment.
Economic Growth and Development: Higher education provides individuals with
specialized skills and information that are required in a variety of economic areas,
including technology, medicine, and engineering. A well-educated workforce is more
productive and capable of driving economic progress. Higher education improves the
quality of human capital, resulting in better job prospects and higher earnings.
Social Development: Higher education allows people from all socioeconomic levels to
enhance their living conditions. Gender Equality: Higher education empowers women
by equipping them with the skills and knowledge required to engage in the workforce
and make sound decisions. This can result in improved gender equality and social
growth.Higher education is the cornerstone of India's development. Higher education
builds the groundwork for a wealthy, equitable, and forward-thinking society by
cultivating an educated and competent workforce, encouraging research and
innovation, and contributing to social and cultural growth. Investing in higher education
is an investment in the future of India.
4. WOMEN’S CAREER GOALS~ EMPOWERMENT AND ADVANCEMENT IN
TRADITIONALLY MALE-DOMINATED FIELDS.
Women's engagement in historically male-dominated sectors has been a sign of
progress toward gender equality. Empowering women to seek and achieve in these
fields not only promotes personal development, but also helps to overall social and
economic development. Despite progress, problems remain, making it critical to focus
on tactics for empowerment and progression.
Challenges Faced by Women in Male-Dominated Fields
Gender Bias and Stereotypes: Women frequently suffer biases that call into question
their competency and fitness for historically male-dominated roles. These prejudices
can limit and discourage women's growth. Workplace Culture: Women may find
male-dominated businesses unwelcoming, with a lack of mentorship, support networks,
and inclusive policies. This might lead to feelings of isolation and difficulties in
progressing. Work-Life Balance: Women's caregiving duties might make it difficult to
balance high-pressure employment.The underrepresentation of women in leadership
roles results in a lack of role models, which may discourage other women from pursuing
careers in these disciplines.
Females must be mentored before they can participate in male-dominated industries
like athletics and engineering. To inspire them, they must be provided with appropriate
education and skill development opportunities. Finally, there will be inclusive methods
that do not leave women behind.
5. AS HOMEMAKERS, WOMEN MAKE MORE INFORMED AND BETTER
DECISIONS.
Homemakers, particularly women, make better and more informed judgments thanks to
the specific skill set they build while managing home chores. Multitasking, budgeting,
problem solving, and efficient time and resource management are all common tasks for
homemakers. Females are better at financial management because they handle
household budgets and make decisions regarding budgeting, planning, and so on. They
also provide more cost-effective alternatives.
Time Management Females excel at scheduling and prioritization because
homemakers are in charge of organizing daily routines, balancing the requirements of
family members, and ensuring that activities are accomplished properly. This
necessitates excellent time management skills and the ability to prioritize activities
properly.They are also more adaptable, which is useful when dealing with unforeseen
changes or problems like a sick child or a malfunctioning equipment. This ability to think
on their feet and alter plans as needed promotes informed and flexible decision-making.
Problem Solving and Conflict Resolution- Homemakers deal with a wide range of
challenges on a daily basis, from small household repairs to family conflict resolution.
This consistent exercise improves their problem-solving skills and enables them to
make sound practical decisions. Females tend to make decisions with everyone's
well-being in mind, and their decisions are more emotive.
6. AISHE- ALL INDIA SURVEY ON HIGHER EDUCATION REPORTED THAT THERE
ARE 2.07 PERCENT MORE FEMALES IN HIGHER EDUCATION (AS PER 2021-22
DATA)
The All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) for the 2021-22 academic year
revealed an interesting statistic: there were 2.07 percent more girls than males enrolled
in higher education institutions in India. This is a noteworthy achievement in the context
of gender equality in education, demonstrating continued efforts to improve women's
access to higher education. Implications of the AISHE report:
Progress towards Gender Equality: The growth in female enrollment implies that
attempts to promote girls' education and ensure equal opportunities in higher education
are having a good impact.
Changing cultural views: The results may also represent a shift in cultural views about
women's education, as more families see the value of higher education for their
daughters. Despite this improvement, female students may continue to face problems
such as gender-based discrimination, safety concerns, and balancing academic goals
with traditional gender responsibilities. Continued efforts are required to overcome these
difficulties and guarantee that women derive full advantage from their educational
achievements. The AISHE 2021-22 report shows a good trend in women's enrollment in
higher education, with a 2.07% increase in female representation.
REFERENCES
Here are some references that support the information provided:
1. Right to Education Act (2009)
- Government of India. (2009). The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.
2. Women's contribution to India's economy
- World Bank. (2020). India Development Update: Unlocking Women's Potential.
- McKinsey Global Institute. (2018). The power of parity: Advancing women's equality in India.
3. Higher education and development
- UNESCO. (2019). Higher Education for Sustainable Development.
- World Bank. (2018). Higher Education for Development.
4. Challenges faced by women in male-dominated fields
- World Economic Forum. (2020). Global Gender Gap Report 2020.
- McKinsey Global Institute. (2015). The power of parity: How advancing women's equality can add $12 trillion to global growth.
5. Skills of homemakers
- OECD. (2019). The Hidden Workforce: How to Unlock the Potential of Homemakers.
- UN Women. (2019). The Value of Unpaid Care Work.
6. AISHE report (2021-22)
- Ministry of Education, Government of India. (2022). All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2021-22.
