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GLOBALISATION AND ITS IMPACT ON WOMEN’S RIGHTS
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GLOBALISATION AND ITS IMPACT ON WOMEN’S RIGHTS
AUTHORED
BY - VANSHIKA LAMBA
ABSTRACT
Globalization
has a great influence on women’s rights and this as concept deserves more
attention. Globalization has improved the lives of women across the world, most
importantly of those living in developing countries. Many of the forces like
Foreign Direct Investments, Multinational Corporations and most important of it
all – Technology have a great role and influence in the recognition of women’s
rights across the globe.[1]
Since the
early 19th century, we see that women have faced grave social,
economic and political issues and have been linked to the strategies of
globalisation and liberalisation but the scenario is now changing. Due to
Globalisation, there are trade openings, there are abundant market
opportunities, and Foreign Direct Investments and globalisation are of great
benefit to all.[2]
In the late twenty-first century now, women have better access to
information and economic probability which have excessive influence on the
present gender roles and protocols. Through Empirical and Theoretical Research
in this paper, I attempt to examine the Feminist approach towards globalization,
the various theories associated with it and The
Convention On Elimination On All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, 1979
(CEDAW) and its contribution and impact on women at large.
I also aim to ascertain whether globalization can enhance women’s rights
and if it does, then to what extent.[3]
INTRODUCTION
Globalisation refers to the
interconnection or the inter-linkage of people, nations, societies, thoughts,
ideas, cultures etc. It is a process through which nations interact globally,
expand their trade and commerce and function on a worldwide scale. We can trace
globalization's extent to an era where initially the system of exchange was a
“barter system” after which slowly trade and commerce began to gain a lot of
importance when the currency was introduced. Economies gradually started
developing and used currency as a system of exchange between nations which led
to the widening of the trade and commerce market.[4] In
India, globalization’s origin traces back to the rule of Dr Manmohan Singh in
who’s ruling with industrialisation, many more factories were set up, and with
technology evolving, new and improved methods of production and supply came
into being. This not only was a boon to the Indian markets but also affected
the nations worldwide. New connections in the market were established between
nations. Thus globalization is a great boon to the economy as it helps nations
develop and strengthen their relations.[5]
Prior to British Rule, India
was an independent, “self-sufficient” economy and was also termed as the “
Golden Eagle “. Post-British Rule, India was robbed off its wealthOur Indian
leaders struggled to get the economy back on track but failed miserably.[6] A lot of
preference was given initially to the concept of a mixed economy in the hope
that it would be a boon to the economy. It was then that the concept of “
public and private sectors” came into existence. Many of these sectors failed and the rate at
which production was taking place fell gradually leaving India to suffer. At
that time, there was unemployment and mass poverty everywhere because people
did not have adequate savings left with them.[7]
Globalization has been a boon to India, providing its
citizens with new and improved opportunities. With the introduction of Multi-National
Companies, a lot of people have got access to good jobs. Globalization also
strengthens the bonds between nations. With MNCs coming to India, new
opportunities are available to people.[8]
WOMEN
AND GLOBALISATION
The Target Group in every society is always women. It is she
who has to look after the family, her husband, her children and herself. Women
have always faced “patriarchal and social problems”, “ caste-based
discrimination” or “social restraints. Many times it is so because of financial
constraints and lack of support from the family. With changing times we see
that women have shifted from their typical role of managing households and have
engaged themselves in other activities. It has paved the way for them to
achieve a good education and this in turn gives women better accessibility to
jobs.[9] With so
many changes coming into being, the stereotypical attitude that others have
towards women is also beginning to change and women are being treated at par
with men in most of households and workplaces though a few exceptions do exist.[10]
This change in mentality and behaviour has got a lot to
do with women’s movements that are happening throughout the globe and this
provides disclosure to women globally by educating them about their rights and
spreading awareness as well. [11]
When it comes to women, globalization also has a negative
impact on their lives. Women do most of the work and receive a nominal salary
for the work done. This is the harsh reality of “ women- workers” in India.
Apart from these, they also sometimes face sexual harassment at the workplace
and are insulted badly. Women are exposed to harsh, unhealthy working
conditions which causes a lot of problems both mentally as well as physically.
This is how women are being exploited and this can be seen not only in the
rural areas or small businesses but also in big companies and sectors where they
are expected to work on a 10-12 hour basis. This totally goes against the
labour laws but is ignored by everybody. Even though a lot has changed with the
influence of western thought on our culture and values, women are still
considered to be weak and are looked down upon. We can see this kind of
discrimination against them in workplaces as well.[12]
THE
FEMINIST APPROACH
The Feminist Approach basically highlights the issues
that are being faced by women globally which mostly relate to gender discrimination
and gender inequality. Feminism lays the foundation of “equal rights and equal
opportunities” for both men and women without discriminating between them. It
encourages women to stand up for themselves and raise their voices instead of
being subdued. Feminists believe that everyone should be exposed to the same
rights and opportunities and there should be no biasness when it comes to men
and women.[13]
Feminist Approaches focus on grave issues and intend to
remove gender biases and injustice relating to globalisation from society.[14]
Different feminists have different views regarding the same but the centre
point revolving around all of these theories and views has been “ equality for
women “.[15]
Many feminists are of the view that this approach was very limited and
restricted. In their opinion, even the challenges faced by women which seem to
be grave issues that deserve attention. [16]
Most feminists in their writings have highlighted the
fact that women are not “subordinate” to men. They should fight for their
rights and not be subjected to “subordination”.[17]
Many feminists have given a lot of importance to Human
Rights and addressed the problem of forced labour, sexual slavery etc. Gender
issues should be looked into with utmost concern. There should be joint
accountability and interdependence to solve these issues which exist in
society. Iris Marion Young, a social feminist is of the opinion that the
conventional theories of justice are just not merely enough to explain the
unfair conditions that lead to the growth of factories in undeveloped nations.
Iris Young goes on to further explain that the responsibilities of citizens of
developed nations to labour in the Global South require a new framework. She
refers to this new framework as the “ social connection model “ and goes on to
explain that this model portrays the duties of the rich developed northern
nations towards workers in the global south. [18]
The Social Connection Model is based on the ideology that
every person who contributes to the framework which results in injustice has a
responsibility to correct these wrongs as at the end of the day it is our
actions in particular which lead these injustices to occur. According to Ann Stewart, a social feminist “Legal
Feminism” is beyond problems which are related to “relativism or universalism”.[19] With
the passage of time, we now mow have a proper understanding of the movements
relating to women and their rights globally.[20]
Some feminists also talk about the concept of “Feminist
Orientalism”. Feminist Orientalism is a method in which feminist writers
identify women’s problems and demands and make it available to the audience to
spread awareness. If the lives of women in different parts of the world can be
compared then the feminists’ desires to change the norms, then it can be seen
as an attempt to change the west more like itself rather than a progressive
effort to reorganize the West. Feminist Orientalism focuses on transforming
western culture while preserving the essential western organizations and
ideologies. It brings about a more conscious review of the different
indications of the typical “patriarchal society” and a change in the thought
process of people by the publishing of novels like “Jane Eyre” which reflects
traces of feminist orientalism. This brings about awareness about women’s
rights and empowers them. [21]
The theories of
feminists which have laid special emphasis on globalisation are committed to the
“creation of self–reflexive critiques “. [22]The
fundamental belief of this concept is to analyse feminist claims and put their
extreme focus on feminist perspectives. An example of this can be the writings
of Schutte who strongly believes that feminist ideas and values that are spread
globally are influenced by the values of existing nations. This clearly
explains why the thought process of women in developing countries is recognized
when they comply with western ideologies. These kinds of values are utilised to
rationalise “political hegemony “and “economic exploitation “.[23]Brooke
Ackerly, a feminist gives her views on the same where she states that the
Feminist Theories can be applied to produce new ways to evaluate the work
carried on by women’s rights organizations.[24] We see
that different feminist scholars have different approaches towards feminism.
Chandra Talpade Mohanty, who is a renowned professor of women’s studies laid
down her observation and stated that the feminist scholars of the West
inculcate an “ ethnocentric approach “ which portrays the women of the third
world as “ one- dimensional and homogeneous.”[25] The
Third World Woman usually lives an uneducated, poor and victimised life. [26] Chandra
Mohanty, another social feminist is of the view that a lot of significant
developments can be seen in the development of feminism and globalisation
research. Women bear the blame for gender indifferences in society and at home
to express their concerns to change this pattern of injustice.[27]
DIFFERENT
FEMINIST APPROACHES
POST -
COLONIAL FEMINISM
The concept of post-colonial feminism aims to analyse
globalisation in the light of Western Colonialism. According to post-colonial
scholars, western colonialism and imperialism has a major impact on the
progress of the modern world and they illustrate how these effects tend to have
an influence on global nations as well as cultural norms.[28]
Post-colonial feminists, mostly emphasize the fact that “non-Eurocentric” perspectives challenge the
North-South structural inequalities from the viewpoint of individuals from “
indigenous communities “. [29]Feminists
say that it is difficult to grasp the regional customs and practices in
emerging economies without taking into account the manner in which these
customs have been formed or without even considering their historical
background.[30]
A few Western feminist scholars have been outspoken about their disapproval of
cultural practices like Sati. Mary Daly is one example of the same. Another
famous scholar, Uma Narayan strongly questions the feminists for accepting the
“ Eurocentric ” notion. Uma Narayan also argues that Sati cannot be viewed as a
distinct phenomenon and such thought majorly “ misinterprets “ it.[31] She
strongly believes that in the Post Colonial era, feminists should consider the
past and present history of societies.
ETHICS OF CARE FEMINISTS
Another distinct school relating to feminist
theoretical approaches revolving around globalisation is concerned with the
task of taking proper care of the young, elderly and crippled. [32]Many scholars believe that
the traditional methods and analogies revolving around globalization neglect
caring. In their opinion, this is objectionable as the principles relating to
care are underestimated which acts as a major factor for the gender-based,
racial and economic disparity between nations as well as the Global North and
South. [33]Thus both theoretical, as
well as practical approaches are involved in globalisation relating to ethics.
The feminists who propose the Ethics of Care Theory lay down that there should
be a more balanced model of globalisation which is based on social norms like
care. Care is a fundamental component of humanity.[34] Social and Economic
Policies should be created in a way where the main emphasis should be on
satisfying human needs and decreasing misery over growing economies and rising
economic competition.[35]
TRANSNATIONAL FEMINISM
As per transnational feminism,
globalisation has set up conditions for feminism to spread beyond national
boundaries. Global manufacturing of products and other related processes has
made women experience inequalities across borders as well. If we consider the
other aspect, globalisation-related innovations have bought new changes in the
political arena where “feminist resistance “is being supported. [36]To build
a positive perspective worldwide and in order to achieve transnational unity,
transnational feminists combine the controversial opinions and ideologies of
the post-colonial, third – world and the ethics of care feminists. [37]Transnational
Feminists propose the ideology of “global sisterhood “that goes beyond ethnic, socioeconomic,
and regional differences. They also support international cooperation among
nations. Their main aim is to make sure that while globalisation has an
influence on everyone, they also have a grave effect on women in geographical
and social conditions.[38]
THE
CONVENTION ON ELIMINATION ON ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN, 1979
(CEDAW)
The United Nations General
Assembly adopted an international agreement known as the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women or the CEDAW on
December 18th, 1979.[39] This refers to an “international bill of
rights for women “and has around 30 Articles and was ratified by 89 states.[40]
The CEDAW puts legal obligations
on its member countries to preserve, promote and safeguard human rights. India ratified
the CEDAW in 1993, officially becoming a part of it. The CEDAW mainly laid
emphasis on encouraging gender equality and stopping gender discrimination.[41] Under
CEDAW, all member countries are bound to abide by the rules and regulations
laid down by it once it joins the convention. According to the CEDAW standards,
States have the obligation to make sure that women are not being exposed to
discrimination in their marriage and family. States must take measures to
correct these ongoing issues.[42]
The CEDAW Committee’s general recommendation mentions that member
countries should establish a strong framework to provide guidance to the
government, to administer women’s rights and to develop innovative strategies.[43]
CONCLUSION
From this research, I have concluded
that there are many factors that determine the “global flow “in a country and
it is not solely dependent on the economic efficiency of a country alone. Lifestyle
standards of the people have vastly enhanced with the advent of globalization
and the changes that it has bought along with it. Under-developing countries
are developing and developed nations are gaining the most out of globalization.
[44]
From my analysis, I have
concluded that too many idealised philosophies of the radical-democratic model have
silenced criticism and variation. [45]This has
resulted in the development of feminist multi-party politics. To evolve with
the changing trend, feminists have put forward that there must be a link
between social change movements. This link should be the basis of clearly
established mechanisms.[46] This
paper has questioned the notion of a societal movement which is against
globalisation. I have started with the introduction, talking about what
globalisation in general means followed by how and what changes it has bought
post-independence in India and how it affects nations throughout the world. I
have then spoken about how globalization has affected and influenced women and
what changes it has brought about in their lives. I have spoken about the
Feminist Approach to Globalisation and the ideologies and theories of various
feminist scholars about globalisation and its impact. By talking about Post-Colonial,
Transnational and Ethics of Care Feminists I have tried to highlight their
perspectives on the inequalities in the Global North and South and their take on
how globalisation has affected women throughout the world and continues to do
so. [47]Lastly,
I have highlighted what the CEDAW or the Convention on All Forms Of
Discrimination Against Women 1979 is, what its major objectives are and how it
functions.[48]
[1] Elisabetta Ruspini,” From the Effects
of Globalisation to Women’s Agency in Globalisation”(2019)
[2] Ibid
[4]
Ibid
[5] David L. Richards and Ronald Gelleny,”
Women's Status and Economic Globalization”(2007)Wiley Vol. 51, No. 4 pp. 855-876
[7] Ibid
[8] Ibid
[10] Ibid
[11] Ibid
[12] Ibid
[13] “Feminist
Perspectives on Globalization”(2014) Stanford
Encyclopedia of Philosophy
[15] Ibid
[16] Ibid
[17] Ibid
[18] Ibid
[20] Charlotte Skeet,”
The Globalization of Women’s Rights Norms” (2009) The Journal of Law and Social
Justice Vol 4, pp 34-73
[21] Joyce Zonana ,”Sultan
and the Slave: Feminist Orientalism and the Structure of Jane Eyre” Vol. 18,
No. 3 pp. 592-617
[22] Ibid
[23] Ibid
[24] Ibid
[25] Ibid
[26] Ibid
[27] Ibid
[28] Catherine Eschle,” Feminist
Studies of Globalisation: Beyond Gender, Beyond Economism” (2004)
Global Society Volume18 Issue 2
[30] Ibid
[31] Ibid
[33] Ibid
[34] Ibid
[35] Ibid
[36] Ibid
[37] Ibid
[39] “The Convention On
Elimination On All Forms of Discrimination Against Women,” (2006) The United
Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment for Women
[40] Ibid
[41] Ibid
[42] Ibid
[43] Ibid
[44] Krisha Kamal, 'Impact of
Globalisation on Feminism' (2021) 4 Int'l JL Mgmt. & Human
908
[45] Ibid
[48] “The Convention On
Elimination On All Forms of Discrimination Against Women,” (2006) The United
Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment for Women
Article Information
GLOBALISATION AND ITS IMPACT ON WOMEN’S RIGHTS
Authors: VANSHIKA LAMBA
- Journal IJLRA
- ISSN 2582-6433
- Published 2023/05/01
- Volume 2
- Issue 7
About Journal
International Journal for Legal Research and Analysis
- Abbreviation IJLRA
- ISSN 2582-6433
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