Open Access Research Article
Denial Of Access To Various Rights And Privileges To Women In Household And Daily Life
Published Paper
Article Details
Denial Of Access To Various Rights
And Privileges To Women In Household And Daily Life
Authored
By - Seerat Khera
ABSTRACT:
Realizing gender equality
and eradicating all forms of discrimination against women are fundamental human
rights ideals. Despite this, women's rights have not always been a key
priority, and they routinely experience violations of their human rights throughout
their lives. Achieving equality between women and men requires a thorough
understanding of the ways in which women experience discrimination and are
denied equlity in order to establish effective methods to end discrimination
against women.In order to completely comprehend women's human rights, this
seminar paper explains a number of particularly pertinent topics before
introducing the major clauses in ways how women face discrimination. Finally,
information on the primary work of other connected themes, such as gender
neutrality and abortion rights, is explored together with a few key aspects of
women's human rights.
KEYWORDS:
1. Rights
2. Gender Equality
3. Rights Violation
4. Discrimination
5. Equality
6. Gender Neutrality
7. Abortion Rights
SYNOPSIS:
The society with time has
been advancing and realising the importance and value of gender neutrality.
People have been realising how importance has to be given to women’s individual
rights which also includes women’s right to abortion. It is not only important
to understand and work on equality between men and women but also the legal
status of the LGBTQ community. Even though there have been a lot of
improvements in the past years but it still remains an issue.
RESEARCH
QUESTION:
In this paper, I would like to
question the legal position of women’s rights, inclusive of rights to abortion,
the legal status of Eunuchs and Gender neutral upbringing with relation to
patriarchal attitudes and lastly sex trafficking. The whole idea behind
equality and living in a free and fair environment becomes questionable with
this.
RESEARCH
OBJECTIVE:
The main objective behind this
research is to trace out ways in which such discrimination is faced and ways
for making this better and eliminating gender discriminations. It also focuses
on why patriarchal attitudes and stereotypes should be eliminated.
HYPOTHESIS:
I believe that a lot of people don’t
really talk about it openly without personal attacks and commentaries, but with
the growth of the industries and rise in the opportunities it is really
important to talk about it and realise where we as individuals who choose their
genders as men, women, bisexuals or transgenders should respect and accept
other’s rights and freedom.
RESEARCH
METHODOLGY:
The research methodology has been a
mix of doctrinal and non- doctrinal techniques. I have used various opinions of
people on this along with trusted websites.
What
is Gender?
In terms of economic, social, and
cultural factors, the term "gender" refers to the advantages and
disadvantages that come with being male or female. In most nations, being a man
or a woman entails more than merely having distinctive biological and physical
traits. Different expectations apply to how men and women should behave, dress,
and perform at work. Understandings of the skills, traits, and behaviour
acceptable to men and women are also reflected in how men and women interact
with one another in the family, the job, and the public arena. As a result,
gender is different from sex in that it is social and cultural rather than
biological in origin. The roles that men and women perform and the expectations
that are put on them are only a few examples of the many differences across
civilizations and changes in gender features and characteristics over time.
However, as gender characteristics are socially produced, they may be altered in
ways that improve a society's justness and equity.
How
is Gender different from Sex?
Gender are the roles, behaviours,
expressions, and identities of girls, women, boys, men, and persons who
identify as having a variety of genders are discussed. The way people behave
and interact, how they view themselves and other people, and how power and
resources are divided in society are all impacted. Gender identity is not a
binary (girl/woman, boy/man); it is a continuum that can change through time.
The various ways that people and groups understand, experience, and express
gender are influenced by the roles they adopt, the expectations that are placed
on them, how they interact with one another, and the nuanced ways that gender
is institutionalised in society.
On the other hand, In both people and
animals, the term "sex" refers to a collection of biological
characteristics. Physical & physiological characteristics, such as
chromosomes, gene expression, hormone levels and functions, and reproductive/sexual
anatomy are largely involved. Although sex is often classified as either female
or male, there are differences in the biological characteristics that make up
sex and how those characteristics are exhibited.
Gender
Neutral Upbringing- A case analysis
Mostly, as we see around us when a
couple expects a baby the very first notion that is given rise to is whether
they want or expect a girl or a boy, in a world where we want to bash
stereotypes and move on, a society where we want equality between all genders
we still pay a lot of importance as to what gender the couple’s going to give
birth to and purchase and be prepared accordingly. It still remains blue for a
boy and pink for a girl. With increasing awareness and gender neutral
discussions, many parents in India are also beginning to raise their children
in a gender-neutral manner by learning to see past the binary distinctions
between male and female.
Parenting that is gender-neutral
focuses on raising children without imposing gender roles on them. They are free
to be anyone they opt to be instead. "Gender is an artificial construct
that was developed to confine people. That is not what we want for our
children.
As per an article published, a 38
year old homemaker says that, 'Children have called my daughter's
characteristics "tomboyish" and have made fun of them, but we think
this is all the more need for parents to practise gender-neutral parenting and
to educate oneself and their children.' [1]
Some parents support spreading the
information as well as letting their kids grow up without stereotypes. Social
Media Influencer Deeksha Mishra, who resides in Delhi, uses her social media
platform to raise awareness of gender-neutral parenting. To address the
inherent patriarchal nature of our culture, there has been an increase in the
demand for girls in recent years. However, I value balance in life and think
kids should be brought up without prejudice, says Mishra. The mother of two,
33, continues, "My sons, who are one and three years old, enjoy playing in
the kitchen and pretending to cook rotis. My older son's soccer class has a
female who plays better than everyone else! All of these ought to demonstrate
how outdated gender preconceptions are. Additionally, this is the subject of
the majority of my internet posts.
Other than this, people also wish to
know if gender neutral upbringing is the right cause what is the right time to
start practising and focusing on these techniques and leaving such stereotypes
behind. A lot of researchers and scholars did various techniques and surveys to
come to the conclusion that, early childhood i.e. 0 to 8 years, is the time
where the majority of brain growth occurs, and this development starts very
young. The foundation for how a child perceives and responds to the world is
set throughout this period by whatever they are exposed to. Children may get
disassociated from what they really want to do as a result of gender biases
that are enforced during these early years through numerous means, such as the
activities offered or the colours they favour using. In order to make this a
success parents must demonstrate to their children that there are no
gender-specific tasks, not even around the house. To emphasise the concept,
household tasks and errands can be shared evenly. Additionally, look for role
models who don't match the stereotypical gender norms, such as male nurses,
classical dancers, and teachers, or female scientists, diplomats, and
philosophers. In a country like India, which is still developing on so many
grounds, such notions of specifications between genders still exist this may
cause a friction by the people around you questioning the values and tasks
you’re wishing to inculcate within your off spring, but in no way should stop
people from passing on the importance of this and raising awareness about the
same.
Children do better in settings where
their identities are respected. Supportive relatives and friends help queer and
trans youth avoid the unfavourable outcomes that they frequently encounter. By
enrolling their children in swim classes, educating them to stay away from
fire, and chopping food into tiny bits, parents take precautions to keep their
kids healthy and safe. Preventive care also includes making room for a child
who might be transgender, nonbinary, or queer. [2]
It's challenging to transform the
world overnight. It's necessary to alter perspectives and mindsets. We must be
welcoming to all. But the fact that a conversation has begun is a sign of
progress. As we know and hear, something is always better than nothing.
The society should support and accept
gender neutral upbringing, although with the body structure and capabilities,
your characteristics and someone will be able to do changes. What a female is
physically characterised to do, a male might not be. For instance, a female
conceives a baby and should also hold the right to abort.
Abortion
as a legal women’s right
Every year nearly 68 million women
have pregnancies which they don’t want or didn’t intend to happen. The reasons
for not wanting such pregnancies may be because of financial conditions, family
relations, personal health or availability of medical care. On the basis of the
above mentioned factors, a woman may either decide to keep the child or to
abort it, but the only person who should be permitted to take such decision
will be the woman alone. Thus, to protect such rights and safety of a woman’s
decision and opinion abortion should be a legal women’s right.
Numerous human rights documents
defend the right to life. It is well known that women who live in nations where
abortion is illegal seek the procedure covertly, in dangerous medical
situations that put their lives in danger. About 20 million women have unsafe
abortions each year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Each
year, these dangerous abortions result in the demise of close to 70,000 women.[3]
The Supreme Court ruled that a
woman's inability to marry cannot restrict her ability to terminate a pregnancy
at any time up to 24 weeks. The Roe v. Wade historic decision, which had legalised
the operation in the US, was overruled by the US Supreme Court in June,
igniting a global debate on the right to abortion. The Medical Termination of
Pregnancy (MTP) Act, which dates back to 1971, had only allowed married women,
divorcees, widows, minors, disabled and mentally ill women, and survivors
of sexual assault or rape to have the procedure.
In a decision on a petition by an
unmarried pregnant woman who had been in a consensual relationship but was
denied the right to an abortion due to her being past the 20-week mark, the
bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud, A S Bopanna, and J B Pardiwala clarified
that that the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act's provisions cannot be
interpreted to refuse that right to single women who are past the 20-week mark.
In accordance with Article 21 of the
Constitution, a woman has the right to end a pregnancy if her mental or
physical health is in jeopardy. Importantly, the woman alone has the authority
over her body and makes the final decision as to whether or not she wishes to
have an abortion. It was stated that denying women autonomy over their lives
and bodies would be an insult to their dignity.
It was further stated and clarified
that for the purposes of the MTP Act, marital rape must be included in the definition
of rape.
Such abortion as stated might be
caused because of poor healthcare facilities, even violence at times and lastly
patriarchal attitudes and poor family relations thus women should be given full
protection with respect to their right to abort. Further in the research, the
above mentioned reasons would be discussed in detail. Despite these
difficulties, it is probably safe to say that India's commitment to treating
safe and legal abortion as every woman's constitutional right is reaffirmed by
the Supreme Court of India's 2022 decision to include women—regardless of their
marital status—under the MTP act, which allows them to terminate pregnancies up
to 24 weeks.
The Supreme Court's recognition of
women's right to equality, their agency, and their choice is even more
significant for a country where the woman's body has always been under
patriarchal surveillance. It is a welcome departure from the stereotypical-traditional
belief that only married women engage in sexual activity and that, as a result,
the law should only benefit them.
And lest we forget, the MTP Act's
expansion will be historic in India, where 73 million single women are now
denied access to safe and legal abortions after 20 weeks. The SC's latest order
might significantly lessen women's reliance on dangerous abortion practises
because, according to a report by the United Nations Population Fund published
in 2022, approximately 67 percent of abortions in India are judged unsafe,
killing eight women on average in a day. In India, approximately 67 percent of
abortions are judged unsafe and result in the deaths of eight women on average
every day, according to a report released by the United Nations Population Fund
in 2022.
The framework needs to be more
inclusive, but it also needs greater publicity. Even though India's
reproductive laws have been shifting toward a more liberal approach, abortion
still carries a stigma, particularly in the lower strata of society where
motherhood is continuously viewed through a moral lens. As a result, families
and occasionally even medical professionals forbid women from having abortions.
The framework needs to be more
accessible, but it also needs greater publicity. Even though India's
reproductive laws have been shifting toward a more liberal approach, abortion
still carries a stigma, particularly in the lower strata of society where
motherhood is continuously viewed through a moral lens. As a result, families
and occasionally even medical professionals forbid women from having abortions.
Sexual Violence against women with
Disabilities and
the legislative measures in India
In general, disabled women have been
marginalised denied their rights and equality within society economic and
social possibilities because poverty, stigma, and discrimination. Those are
generally seen as asexual, which implies they are prevented from having close
relationships or a union. There is an assumption that they are unable of
performing the maternal role; as a result, too frequently compelled to get
sterilised.[4] For
people with disabilities, sexual violence and abuse are important issues,
especially for women with disabilities who are more vulnerable than
non-disabled people. [5]
Sexual violence is defined by the World Health Organization as any sexual act,
attempt to obtain a sexual act, inappropriate sexual comments, acts to traffic,
or otherwise directed, against a person's sexuality using coercion, by any
person regardless of their relationship to the victim, in any setting,
including but not limited to home and work.[6]
People with disabilities have
unintentionally been prevented from accessing the skills and resources they
require to protect themselves due to traditional methods of
"protecting" them. It is generally known that women with disabilities
are vulnerable in India, where female foeticide is common and girls are not
welcome. As a result, the incidence of sexual assaults on women with
disabilities has increased and caught the attention of members of the civil
community. According to the research, women with disabilities are more likely
than males with disabilities and non-disabled people to experience sexual
assault and abuse.[7]
According to the 2001 Census report,
women make up 42.457% of all Indians with disabilities. [8] A
gender-sensitive disability law for India is urgently needed in light of the
rise in sexual assault cases, and there is also a need to make certain
necessary changes to the country's current criminal laws.
According to the research, women with
disabilities are more likely than males with disabilities and non-disabled
people to experience sexual assault and abuse. 9
According to the 2001 Census report,
women make up 42.45% of all Indians with disabilities.[9]
There are a few case studies which
prove this research- it shows that in India people treat women with disability
in a way which is superior or dominating in ways than they would to the general
people.
® At 10 p.m. in the Ram Nivas Bagh of
Jaipur, three individuals raped a 35–40 year old "stupid and deaf"
woman who is the wife of a low-income "Rikshawala." The accuser
claims to be a 19-year-old student and young man. Laxmi, the "deaf and
dumb" wife of Arjun, was returning to her home on the evening of May 9,
1981, about 11:00 p.m., after attending a wedding in Brahampuri. She was forced
to exit the Rickshaw by Ram Dhan Meena, one Sardar, and another person, and
after they took her to a seedy location, all three of the accused forcibly had
sex with her. The prosecutrix told the husband the tale in the middle of the
night, about 1:00, and they both proceeded to the police station to present the
semen-containing clothing to the officers and file a report. Laxmi was
investigated because she could only communicate through signs and was dumb and
deaf.[10]
® February 2012, a teenage patient at
the Bankura Sammilani Medical College Hospital whose family alleged that their
daughter had been sexually assaulted by a resident. The hospital workers
transported her to Kolkata for forensic examinations. A three-person committee
was formed to look into the issue. The victim is deaf and dumb, therefore we
require an interpreter, said Superintendent of Police Pranab Kumar. This makes
it difficult for us to conduct an investigation. [11]
® On August 2013, a 12-year-old girl
with mental difficulties was allegedly sexually assaulted by her physically
disabled 43-year-old neighbour in the Mukund Vihar neighbourhood of northwest
Delhi. The accused persuaded the victim to follow him to the store's go down
while she was having fun. Then he lowered the shutter, and the girl was raped.[12]
The victims of the crime typically
knew the accused before the rape was committed. They were sometimes sexually
assaulted by their own family members, including the father. According to the
cases, most victims were raped when they were defenceless and alone. The adult
accused most often seduced and charmed the young victims. Legislation cannot
solve the numerous issues with how the testimony is read and analysed by the
judges after it has been recorded. Disability often prevents disabled women
from communicating the sexual assault they experience, and even when they do,
neither the police nor the legal system take their testimony seriously when it
comes to its probative significance. As a result, even if the accused is found
guilty by the lower court, at the appeals stage before the higher court, the
accused is cleared because the lower court failed to record the prosecutor's
testimony or follow the rules of procedure. It emphasises "the need to
incorporate a gender perspective in all efforts to promote the full enjoyment
of human rights and fundamental freedoms by persons with disabilities" and
acknowledges that "women and girls with disabilities are often at greater
risk, both inside and outside the home, of violence, injury or abuse, negligent
treatment, maltreatment, or exploitation."[13]
Sexual assault against disabled women
is a quiet crime in our nation because, for the most part, the victims either
don't recognise the abuse or don't report it.
Even when it is expressed, it rarely
inspires belief. The majority of the time, it is discovered that the offenders
escape justice. Additionally, there is concern that revealing the abuse would
sever relationships with the caregivers. The fact that peer group learning is
severely limited among impaired women since they are less likely to be sent to
school indicates a lack of knowledge and awareness. Due to prejudices and the
societal roles that are or are not given to women with disabilities, these
women are more vulnerable and are subject to rights violations.
Therefore, while passing laws, a
state should not only declare certain rights and privileges but also specify in
great detail how such rights will be implemented. [14]
Widespread discrimination against
women
in access to healthcare
Younger and older women, as well as
those who live farthest from a large hospital, are more likely to forgo medical
care. Every stage of a woman's life cycle has health risks. The health issues
that women in these nations struggle with the most are those related to
reproduction, childhood female mortality rates that are higher than average,
violence against girls and women, workplace and environmental dangers, and
cervical and breast cancer. Numerous of these contribute to maternal mortality,
which was the indication of women's health that received the most attention in
the research. Health disparities between men and women have their roots in
traditional societies, where conventional medical procedures and definitions of
health status all reflect the inferior social standing of women. Traditional
medical practises that blame women's illnesses on behavioural mistakes made by
women, as well as differences in access to and use of contemporary healthcare
services by women and girls, including family planning, safe abortion services,
maternal care, and general healthcare, are examples of how gender inequality in
health is manifested. A study of outpatient visits at one significant tertiary
care hospital in Delhi reveals that women in India experience "severe
gender discrimination" in access to healthcare.[15]
In one of India's major public hospitals, a study of 2.4 million patient
appointment records revealed that hundreds of thousands of women were unable to
get the necessary medical care. Two-thirds of hospital appointments in 2016
were completed by men, according to a study that was published in the journal
BMJ Open, leaving over 4,00,000 women ‘missing’ from care. In previous studies
on gender discrimination in poor nations, the issue of missing women has been
mostly explained by the excess mortality of female patients as evidenced in the
low population ratios of women to males. By examining gender inequality
experienced by women in access to healthcare. Using extensive data across a
wide range of patient groups and medical conditions to examine the gender
discrimination in access to healthcare. There have only been a few small sample
studies on gender bias in access to healthcare for particular patient groups or
medical conditions. This topic’s goal is to examine how the patient's age and
distance from the medical institution relate to gender discrimination in access
to healthcare.[16] The sex
preference that manifests in discrimination against female children in health
and general care, women's workloads that not only expose them to health risks
but also make it difficult for them to take time off for healthcare, lack of
autonomy by women that results in lack of decision-making power and access to
independent income, early marriage, and other factors are reasons for gender
inequalities in health. One of the social areas in which gender disparity
manifests itself in Third World nations is in the area of health. Efforts to
elevate women's status must therefore be a part of plans to address gender
disparities in health. Additionally, national laws, regulations, and practises
can encourage and maintain discrimination in the healthcare industry,
preventing or discouraging women and girls from obtaining the wide spectrum of
medical care they may require. Evidence shows how such laws have a negative
influence on human rights and health. For instance, women and girls lack the
ability to decide on their own medical care, surgery, childbirth, or
contraception in various countries due to national laws, legislation, or social
conventions. Health issues can present differently in men and women due to
gender being a social determinant of health. Men and women have different
health statuses and get different levels of healthcare, which must be addressed
in terms of both biological and sociocultural factors.
A fundamental human right is the
availability of healthcare, including both therapeutic and preventative
methods. This places a duty on the government to guarantee that these human
rights be completely respected and safeguarded. In all facets of healthcare,
gender inequalities must be addressed and eliminated.[17]
There were a few recommendations
given by world’s medical association that said and stated:
®
promote
women's and children's equitable access to health
®
categorically
denounce breaches of women's and children's fundamental human rights, including
those caused by social, political, religious, economic, and cultural customs
®
Promote
women's and children's health and access to health as human rights and insist
on all women and children's rights to full and adequate medical treatment,
particularly where religious, societal, and cultural constraints or
discrimination may prevent access to such care
®
Encourage
the provision of pre conceptional, prenatal, maternal, and postpartum care, as
well as vaccinations, optimal nutrition for growth, and child healthcare
development
A serious, well-known issue that
threatens people's lives and wellbeing is gender bias in healthcare. It is a
part of sexism, a key global factor in inequity, particularly inequitable
access to healthcare.
Healthcare is less effective and of
higher quality when there is gender bias in diagnosis, treatment, and health
outcomes. Organizations and institutions must make a commitment to altering
their policies and procedures in order to stop it.
Analysing The Patriarchal Attitudes
and Stereotypes
In Family relationships
One of the contentious issues for
sociologists, particularly those who are interested in the sociology of gender,
is gender stereotyping and the establishment of gender roles. Gender
stereotypes and the establishment of gender roles are sociocultural and
relational constructs that evolve and are ingrained in the institutional
network, social interaction, and social connections, particularly in families.
In the home, gender socialisation, varied familial environments, and parents'
different roles with their children all contribute to gender stereotyping and
the creation of gender roles. It is advised to embrace a gender-balanced
familial environment, gender mainstreaming strategies, and media that plays a
positive role to combat gender stereotyping and lessen its effects on the
development of gender and social roles.
Gender has to do with a set of
cultural norms that dictate how men and women should act.[18]
Each culture assigns its members specific duties and prescribed behavioural
patterns that enable them to plan their lives in a predictable and consistent
manner. Cultures and societies prescribe normative role behaviour and
de-emphasize interpersonal interactions in the hierarchy of norms.[19]
Individual freedom is restricted by normative role behaviour, which is
collectivistic and links people to established expectations for their rights
and obligations. Stereotypes, which are predefined conceptions or pictures that
characterise numerous domains of activity, including gender, are directly
related to the emergence of socially created and culturally defined realities.
Stereotyping is the practise of passing judgement on someone based on how one
perceives that person to fit into a particular group. It is, in other words,
"the conscious or unconsciously application of (correct or inaccurate)
knowledge of a group in appraising a member of the group."[20]
Family, as the primary socialising
institution, disseminates basic identities and ingrained messages that are
thought to be unique to a feminine woman and a masculine man. In the family,
men and women are given various role models based on the characteristics that
are historically associated with each sex. Similar to this, society assigns
tasks that are known as gender stereotypes based on a set of physical and
psychological traits determined by families. In contrast to the birth of a
female kid, which is seldom honoured, the birth of a male child is seen as a
symbol of greater family authority. Similar to this, men predominate in
important decisions including marriage, choosing a partner, and other familial
matters. The traditional societal structure places limitations on women and
tends to favour men in positions of authority. Patriarchy upholds masculine
ideology and fosters unfavourable gender norms.
A child's socialisation is the
process by which he or she learns to accept the rules, conventions, and
traditions of the world around them. The process by which children of various
sexes are socialised into their respective gender roles and taught what it is
to be male or female is known as gender socialisation. Gender socialisation
starts at birth when people ask one another the straightforward question,
"Is it a girl or a boy?" Similar to this, gender and the development
of gender roles are mostly learnt through the prevalent socialisation
institutions, such as family, peers, school, and so forth, which are regarded
as the "teachers" of society. Through the process of socialisation,
people acquire the actions and attitudes that are expected by society. The kind
of men and women that a given culture and society wants them to be are shaped
and reshaped through this process. Similar to this, every society in the world
prescribes specific actions and attitudes for men and women that are
appropriate in various circumstances. These prescriptions serve as gender norms
in the form of rules, which in turn create gender roles. Parental behaviour,
whether overt or covert, toward their children is the main factor influencing
the early development of gender role stereotyping. Children's socialisation is
greatly influenced by parents, who also provide a comfortable setting in the
home where they may engage face-to-face with their offspring. Parents instil
stereotypes in their children by a variety of everyday actions and actions,
such as the way they dress them, how they decorate their rooms, the toys they
provide them to play with, and the attitudes and behaviours they exhibit toward
them.[21]
Furthermore, it has been established that men and women have different
emotional capacities, with men possessing masculine traits being aggressive and
women being perceived as emotionally docile. In this way, gender stereotypes
are established and instilled inside families through the process of
socialisation, when parents treat their kids in a stereotypically internalised
way to portray their males as angry, strong, and agentic, and their daughters
as passive, weak, and delicate. This stereotypical socialisation establishes and
determines distinct and separate realms for both men and women, which
ultimately creates a foundation for the formation of gender roles. According to
the literature, which has its roots in sociocultural norms, gender stereotyping
is a social construct. The term "gender role conflict" refers to a
psychological condition when an individual and others are negatively impacted
by their excessive internalisation of their assigned gender role. Restrictions
are an individual's attempt to control their conduct and the behaviours of
others to comply to restrictive and stereotyped norms, congruent with the
ideology of masculinity, according to O'Neil's gender role conflict theory.
When gender role stereotypes are prevalent, gender role conflict occurs.[22]
In this context, it is also beneficial to define what patriarchy is. A
"Patriarchy" is a term used to describe a male-dominated society in
which men hold power and monopolise positions of moral authority, social
privilege, and property ownership. Individual conceptions of gender roles can
be greatly influenced by growing up in a patriarchal family with separate
gender roles. Men inherit patriarchal rank from their fathers and grandfathers.
GRS and patriarchal standards have an impact on people's lifestyles, and
patriarchal beliefs—like the notion that males should rule over women—can have
an impact on how people of various genders interact with one another [23].
However, patriarchal norms also include ideas about how generations interact,
such as the dominance of older generations over younger generations, a focus on
children's obedience, and a preference in the family for the eldest son.[24]
Numerous Indians voice egalitarian opinions about certain gender roles in the
household. For instance, according to 62% of adults, both men and women should
be in charge of raising children. But among sizable portions of the population,
conventional gender roles continue to be dominant: Roughly one-third of
respondents (34%) believe that women should be primarily in charge of child
care. Similar to this, a sizable majority (54%) believes that both men and
women in households should be accountable for working to earn money, however
many Indians (43%) believe that males should be primarily responsible for this.
Additionally, a large majority of Indian people believe that men should have
more employment rights than women when there is a shortage of jobs, which
reflects the continuous dominance of men in the economy. Eight out of 10 people
concur, with the majority (56%) saying they totally concur. Indians place
significance on having both daughters and sons: Almost all Indians (94%) and,
separately, 90%) believe that having at least one daughter is very important
for a family. Additionally, the majority of Indians (64%) and 58% of
respondents agree that both sons and daughters should be responsible for taking
care of their parents as they get older. However, respondents to the survey are
much more inclined to believe that boys, as opposed to daughters, should have
more rights and obligations in these areas. For instance, only 2% of Indian
adults believe daughters should be in charge of caring for ageing parents,
compared to nearly four out of ten Indian adults who believe sons should. These
conventions are a component of a larger phenomenon in Indian society where, for
various historical, social, religious, and economic reasons, families tend to
place a higher importance on boys than daughters - a practise known as
"son preference." Sons who are adults typically support their
families financially and live with them. In the meantime, families may still
pay dowries in some weddings between daughters and husbands. Additionally,
daughters frequently reside with their husband's parents and fulfil duties to
their in-laws. The government's Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao ("Save the girl
child, Educate the girl child") program, for instance, aims to prevent
sex-selective practises during pregnancy and to ensure that girls have access
to educational opportunities by running public awareness media campaigns, among
other policies. In recent years, Indian society has placed more emphasis on
improving the status of daughters.
Based on my study and research it is
seen that most Indian households still use patriarchal attitudes and
stereotypes to gender socialize and work in accordance of it. It seen and
noticed that children are grown up looking and experiencing such sexist gender
discriminations and attitudes, thus impacting their thinking and what they
imbibe in themselves for future. The right awareness in the right way is the
only thing that can change this.
Conclusions and Recommendations
All the above mentioned topics are
discussed keeping in mind the scenario of the Indian society, it gives a fair
idea of what a woman has to go through in different areas of. Life and even in
her own house she has to go through so much more than we see. It is seen and
noticed with the time passing by, there are a lot of good changes that come by,
yet the society tends to be the same in many ways. It is important to create,
host and plan various awareness programs in such localities to make people
aware about how far we have come from stereotypes and patriarchal attitudes. We
support equality and healthy living along with respecting the dignity and
personal choices that every individual should have the right to access.
It gave me an insight to the irony of
our lives and acceptance of our living standards.
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Article Information
Denial Of Access To Various Rights And Privileges To Women In Household And Daily Life
Authors: Seerat Khera
- Journal IJLRA
- ISSN 2582-6433
- Published 2023/04/04
- Volume 2
- Issue 7
About Journal
International Journal for Legal Research and Analysis
- Abbreviation IJLRA
- ISSN 2582-6433
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