1. Gender inequality in India, the significance of being born as woman Presented by : P.SONAIMUTHU Executive Director, SAADOW Natham - 624401, Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu, India, www.saadow.org, E-mail : saadows@gmail.com It is impossible to think about the welfare of the world unless the condition of women is improved -Swami Vivekananda

2. India India's social structure is a unique blend of diverse religions, cultures and racial groups. India's social structure is a unique blend of diverse religions, cultures and racial groups. All the great religion of the world, viz, the Hindus, the Muslims, the Christians, etc, are found here. All the great religion of the world, viz, the Hindus, the Muslims, the Christians, etc, are found here. There are 18 major literary languages, apart from numerous other languages and dialects. There are 18 major literary languages, apart from numerous other languages and dialects. There is striking diversity between various communities and groups in kinships and marriages rites, customs, inheritance and modes of living. There is striking diversity between various communities and groups in kinships and marriages rites, customs, inheritance and modes of living. Diversity is also seen in the pattern of rural as well as urban settlements, community life, cultural and social behaviour as also in the institutional framework. Diversity is also seen in the pattern of rural as well as urban settlements, community life, cultural and social behaviour as also in the institutional framework. The uniqueness of Indian social structure lies in its “unity amidst diversity” The uniqueness of Indian social structure lies in its “unity amidst diversity”

3. Gender Disparity From ancient to present Women in ancient India were held in high esteem Women in ancient India were held in high esteem The position of a woman in the Vedas and the Upanishads was that of a mother (maata) or goddess (Devi). The position of a woman in the Vedas and the Upanishads was that of a mother (maata) or goddess (Devi). In the Manusmriti, woman was considered as a precious being In the Manusmriti, woman was considered as a precious being In the early Vedic age, girls were looked after with care. In the early Vedic age, girls were looked after with care. The practice of polygamy deteriorated the status of woman The practice of polygamy deteriorated the status of woman

4. Gender Disparity In the medieval period, the practices of purdha system, dowry and sati came into being In the medieval period, the practices of purdha system, dowry and sati came into being With the passage of time, the status of woman was lowered. With the passage of time, the status of woman was lowered. After the development of science and technology, female foeticide is being practiced on a large scale. This has led to a drop in the female ratio. After the development of science and technology, female foeticide is being practiced on a large scale. This has led to a drop in the female ratio. According to the census 2001, the sex ratio in India is 927 females to 1,000 males. Dowry have become common. According to the census 2001, the sex ratio in India is 927 females to 1,000 males. Dowry have become common. Female infanticide practices in few areas Female infanticide practices in few areas

5. Gender Disparity In many parts of India, women are viewed as an economic liability despite contribution in several ways to our society and economy In many parts of India, women are viewed as an economic liability despite contribution in several ways to our society and economy The crime graph against women is increasing at an alarming rate. The crime graph against women is increasing at an alarming rate. The condition of an Indian widow is quite deplorable. The condition of an Indian widow is quite deplorable. At home, the woman's contribution towards home as a housewife is not recognized.. At home, the woman's contribution towards home as a housewife is not recognized.. Domestic Violence, Rape, Sexual Exploitation, molestation, eve-teasing, forced prostitution, Sexual harassment at work places etc are a common affair today Domestic Violence, Rape, Sexual Exploitation, molestation, eve-teasing, forced prostitution, Sexual harassment at work places etc are a common affair today

6. Disparity at Birth Infant mortality Birth/growth/survival Birth/growth/survival Foeticide/sex ratio 972/1000 in 2001 Foeticide/sex ratio 972/1000 in 2001 Maternal mortality 27% are mm 27% are mm 40-50% receive antenatal care 40-50% receive antenatal care

7. Infanticide Sex ratio 972/1000 972/1000Reasons Male Heir for the family Male Heir for the family Huge dowry Huge dowry Continued financial support to girl child Continued financial support to girl child Poverty Poverty Domestic violence Domestic violence Caste system Caste system

8. Methods of infanticide Feeding with Calotropis Procera & Euphorbia Tricalli latex Feeding with Calotropis Procera & Euphorbia Tricalli latex Putting paddy in to the mouth Putting paddy in to the mouth Not allowing to feed milk Not allowing to feed milk Closing nose Closing nose More artificial feeding of milk More artificial feeding of milk Covering with wet cloths Covering with wet cloths Live burial Live burial

9. Maternal mortality Health seeking behavior Health seeking behavior Priority to male child than female child Priority to male child than female child Anemic fully growth potential Anemic fully growth potential

10. Malnutrition Reasons The UN estimates that 2.1 million Indian children die before reaching the age of 5 every year – four every minute The UN estimates that 2.1 million Indian children die before reaching the age of 5 every year – four every minute Mostly from preventable illnesses such as diarrhoea, typhoid, malaria, measles and pneumonia. Mostly from preventable illnesses such as diarrhoea, typhoid, malaria, measles and pneumonia. Every day 1,000 Indian children die because of diarrhoea alone. Every day 1,000 Indian children die because of diarrhoea alone.

11. At work Working environment Working environment Unequal wages Unequal wages Undignified treatment Undignified treatment Working in odd hours Working in odd hours Sexual harassment Sexual harassment Higher working hours Higher working hours Engaged in harmful industries Engaged in harmful industries Occupational hazards working roughly twice as many hours as men Occupational hazards working roughly twice as many hours as men Nearly 27 percentage are accounted by unpaid activities. Nearly 27 percentage are accounted by unpaid activities.

12. Violence against women Forced in to subordinate position Every 42 minutes a sexual harassment occurs. Every 42 minutes a sexual harassment occurs. Every 43 minutes a woman kidnapped. Every 43 minutes a woman kidnapped. Every 93 minutes a woman is burnt a very dowry. Every 93 minutes a woman is burnt a very dowry. Pre quarter of reported rapes involve girls under the age of 16 years. Pre quarter of reported rapes involve girls under the age of 16 years. Restricted out-side participation Trafficking / selling of girl child Trafficking / selling of girl child Every 26 minutes women is molested. Every 26 minutes women is molested. Every 34 minutes a rape take place. Every 34 minutes a rape take place.

13. Poor health care Neglecting during illness Neglecting during illness Recognition of illness by herself Recognition of illness by herself Health services as a last resort Health services as a last resort Reluctance to be examined by male doctors Reluctance to be examined by male doctors

14. Lack of Education 65.38% only, male 73.53% female 53.7 65.38% only, male 73.53% female 53.7 Poor literacy – gender gap in literacy rate Poor literacy – gender gap in literacy rate No higher education – up to Higher secondary No higher education – up to Higher secondary

15. Economic Constraints Kept as dependants Kept as dependants No equal property rights - As against law No equal property rights - As against law Loans of men is paid back by women Loans of men is paid back by women Economic uncertainty Economic uncertainty Denial in inheritance of properties to orphaned / deserted Denial in inheritance of properties to orphaned / deserted

16. Discriminative socialization process Customary practices Customary practices In household activities only (boys not allowed) In household activities only (boys not allowed) Restricted to play Restricted to play Isolation / separation in schools/public places Isolation / separation in schools/public places Restricted to move freely Restricted to move freely

17. Detrimental cultural practices After marriage – husbands are dominating After marriage – husbands are dominating Dominance from In-laws family / members Dominance from In-laws family / members Never / rarely considered for any decision making Never / rarely considered for any decision making Can not support her parents Can not support her parents Limitations in continuing relationships with brothers / sisters / relatives Limitations in continuing relationships with brothers / sisters / relatives Child / Early marriage Child / Early marriage Patriarchal attitudes Patriarchal attitudes Not able to continue girl/boy friends friendship after marriage Not able to continue girl/boy friends friendship after marriage

18. In Governance After over sixty years of independence women are still exploited After over sixty years of independence women are still exploited The 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments have provided 33 percent reservation for women in the Panchayati Raj System The 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments have provided 33 percent reservation for women in the Panchayati Raj System Panchayat / Parliament totally 790 seats by filling 6.6-8.4 percentage. Panchayat / Parliament totally 790 seats by filling 6.6-8.4 percentage. Women Reservation bill delayed Women Reservation bill delayed In PRI only in reserved seats (not in open Competition)/ cast disparity. In PRI only in reserved seats (not in open Competition)/ cast disparity. Men domination in administration Men domination in administration

19. Social Advancement of women Self Advancement Reflexive dimension of employment Reflexive dimension of employment Assert themselves what they thought Assert themselves what they thought Self awareness Self awareness Capacity building. Capacity building.

20. Social Advancement of women Contd… Advancement as a group Enough group members/meetings Enough group members/meetings Adequate support Adequate support Intimacy / involvement/resources Intimacy / involvement/resources Decision making / problem solving ability/ leadership qualities enhancement/ participation Decision making / problem solving ability/ leadership qualities enhancement/ participation

21. Social Advancement of women Contd… Advancement of community Planning / implementation/ evaluation /bias discrimination. Planning / implementation/ evaluation /bias discrimination. Economic advancement Right to choice/savings Right to choice/savings EDP skills/ marketing EDP skills/ marketing Information /linkages/external, internal resource mobilization. Information /linkages/external, internal resource mobilization.

22. Social Advancement of women Contd… Psychological advancement Fulfill helplessness Fulfill helplessness Self respect/strong determination/ assertive nature / motivation / win self confidence. Self respect/strong determination/ assertive nature / motivation / win self confidence. Social advancement Power distribution / Socio / equality dissemination of knowledge about health nutrition, literacy, education, freedom and opportunities/ adoption of new practices Power distribution / Socio / equality dissemination of knowledge about health nutrition, literacy, education, freedom and opportunities/ adoption of new practices

23. Social Advancement of women Contd… Political advancement Decision making / political rights / participation in political Campaign Decision making / political rights / participation in political Campaign Ability to solve political issues Ability to solve political issues Solving health and social problems Solving health and social problems Confronting exploitative power Confronting exploitative power Public life participation Public life participation Control over – their self confidence Control over – their self confidence

24. Social Advancement of women Contd… Educational Advancement Prime avenue of women empowerment. Prime avenue of women empowerment. Break down of power stereotyping Break down of power stereotyping Legal understanding / rights / gender sensitization / health education etc. Legal understanding / rights / gender sensitization / health education etc. Strengthen own income generation activities. Strengthen own income generation activities. Dalit empowerment / SHGs movement Dalit empowerment / SHGs movement

25. Social Advancement of women Contd… Technological advancement Technical means and skills characteristic of particular civilization group or period. Technical means and skills characteristic of particular civilization group or period. Technology habitually designates the complex of information, skills methods and machinery required for the manufacture utilization and making of useful objects – UNO source. Technology habitually designates the complex of information, skills methods and machinery required for the manufacture utilization and making of useful objects – UNO source. Man - Mutual, Management, planning, organizing etc. Man - Mutual, Management, planning, organizing etc.

26. Strategies for advancement of women Literacy Literacy Formal Education Give greater employment opportunity Give greater employment opportunity Primary / secondary dropout of female child is high. Primary / secondary dropout of female child is high. Territory education is appreciable Territory education is appreciable Reservation / expenditure or provision of services/ special provision like construction. Reservation / expenditure or provision of services/ special provision like construction. All rights, legal measures All rights, legal measures

27. Strategies for advancement of women contd.. Post literacy Post literacy Consolidate the basic literacy skills at speaking, reading, and writing and problem solving at the time. Consolidate the basic literacy skills at speaking, reading, and writing and problem solving at the time. Sustain the learning environment Sustain the learning environment

28. Strategies for advancement of women contd… Continuing education Continuing education Establishing a responsible and alternative structure for life long learning, responding to the needs of all sections of the society. Establishing a responsible and alternative structure for life long learning, responding to the needs of all sections of the society. Supports grass root community. Supports grass root community. Women learners educate their children. Women learners educate their children.

29. Strategies for advancement of women contd.. Human rights education Human rights education To take control of their circumstances To take control of their circumstances Achieve their own goals, helping themselves, enhance their quality of life Achieve their own goals, helping themselves, enhance their quality of life Motivate them for lobbying / advocacy Motivate them for lobbying / advocacy

30. Strategies for advancement of women Contd.. Skills development Availing skills through institutions/external sources. Availing skills through institutions/external sources. Cultural emancipation Motivate powerless/exploited Motivate powerless/exploited Poor/oppressed / marginalized/ unvoiced always by women culture of silence by Paulo Ferrier. Poor/oppressed / marginalized/ unvoiced always by women culture of silence by Paulo Ferrier.

31. Strategies for advancement of women contd.. Political participation Political participation Slow process/ needs training Slow process/ needs training Knowledge on advocacy & lobbying Knowledge on advocacy & lobbying Knowledge on all development activities Knowledge on all development activities

32. Strategies for advancement of women contd.. Health education Health education Health care / Nutrition Health care / Nutrition Problems of early marriage Problems of early marriage Mother and child health care Mother and child health care Small family norms Small family norms Diseases / communicable and non communicable diseases / Diseases / communicable and non communicable diseases / RTI/STI/HIV and psychological issues RTI/STI/HIV and psychological issues

33. Strategies for advancement of women contd.. Capacity building Capacity building SHGs approach / savings /credits / leadership / accounting etc. SHGs approach / savings /credits / leadership / accounting etc. Entrepreneurship development Entrepreneurship development Achieve women advancement improving income regularly Achieve women advancement improving income regularly Expand their decision making, acquire assets Expand their decision making, acquire assets

34. Collaborators of Social advancement of women NGO/ INGOs / NPOs NGO/ INGOs / NPOs SHGs / CBOs SHGs / CBOs Policy makers Policy makers Local leaders Local leaders Information disseminators Information disseminators Health care providers Health care providers Teachers Teachers Family members Family members

35. THANK YOU A nation's progress and prosperity can be judged by the way it treats its women folk Men must recognize and accept the fact that women are equal partners in life