Treating boys and girls alike………..

Can we Indians imagine a husband parenting and nursing his child at home, doing all the housework and the wife dedicating her full time to a well paid job, and on returning home, dictating her husband on what to do?

Aren’t we confused at this role reversal? We start scratching our heads as to why this reversal seems so out of order………Why can’t we accept women dictating men, and men taking the complete responsibility of child care and household work, but accept the other way round?

This is because of the stereotypes we have been seeing and experiencing in this male-dominated society we are living in. A close look would reveal that such differences among men and women are not linked to any biological differences but because of different roles assigned by the society.

The discrimination faced by women begins from their birth itself. As soon as a child is born families and society begin the process of gendering. The birth of the son is celebrated with great pomp and happiness while the birth of a girl child becomes a source of grief. The son, is seen as the bearer of the family name is seen as the future source of income, as a type of insurance. The girl is looked down upon as a burden to the family. "May you be the mother of a hundred sons" is a common Hindu wedding blessing. This is the reason why there are many cases of female infanticide or female foeticide mainly in many rural areas and even in some urban areas in India.

Similarly boys experience preferential treatment when it comes to education and other facilities, since the Indian mentality has an opinion that the resources used for the male child is like an investment. However girls are either left uneducated or not given higher education because of the mentality that the resources used for girls would go waste as one day she would be married off. Moreover they see education as a reason for high dowry, a real root of many problems in India. A girl’s identity is forged as soon as her family and society limit her opportunities and declare her to be second-rate.

In India, gender-biased societal setup is the main cause for gender inequality. In a patriarchal society as in India, the male is always the head of the family, and the centre of power and authority because of the role of family earning assigned to him. Though women play an important role in the survival and maintenance of household, their position in household decision making is always secondary, as the role of household labour assigned to them is unpaid, and treated as unproductive labour.

Even in the economic sphere, women are paid less than men for the same work. Also, for jobs, promotion, undertakings, men are always preferred over women. Also women are mostly employed in the unorganised sector and their participation in organised, high paid jobs is still very less. Whether women work outside their homes or not, the household responsibility always vests with them!

The President of India is a woman. The leader of the majority party at the Lok Sabha, and apparently the most powerful person in India is a woman. Indian history has seen so many brave and important women rulers and freedom fighters. However still, women are still considered to be unfit for political institutions. Though the Constitution gives 1/3^rd reservation to women in local governments, The Women’s Reservation Bill is still waiting to be cleared by the legislature.

Gender inequality has adverse impact on development goals as reduces economic growth. It hampers the overall well being because blocking women from participation in social, political and economic activities can adversely affect the whole society. Moreover it takes away basic rights entitled to all humans irrespective of their differences.

Education is the tool that can help break the pattern of gender discrimination and bring lasting change for women in developing countries. Women who have had some schooling are more likely to get married later, survive childbirth, have fewer and healthier children, and make sure their own children are educated. They also understand hygiene and nutrition better and are more likely to prevent disease by visiting health care facilities. Girls' education also means comprehensive change for a society. As women get the opportunity to go to school and obtain higher-level jobs, they gain status in their communities. Status transforms into the power to influence their families and societies.

Also equally necessary is the importance of the family members in supporting education for the girl child and acquaintance with ideas of liberalism, and social change. Women have proved themselves whenever they have been given a chance, in all spheres, be it social, economic or political. Hence it is the most important to give women the chance they deserve, as equal humans.

And in the words of ex UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, "Gender equality is more than a goal in itself. It is a precondition for meeting the challenge of reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development and building good governance."