Women in India continue to face marginalization in several domains today. They are disadvantaged at home, in workplace, in public sphere, in education etc. 53% of the overall female population in India only has an undergraduate degree, and women are steadily reducing the higher education gap. The startling statistic is that just 20% of women participate in the total workforce. Only about 9% of the companies have women in high positions.
CONCERNS REGARDING THE STATUS OF WOMEN
There are several concerns regarding the status of women in India even today. Below, we summarise the major concerns regarding the status of women in the country.
EDUCATION
Despite the government’s effort to ensure equality of opportunity for education for both men and women in our society, the literacy rate of women in India, especially in rural areas, still remains very poor.
Schools in rural India are at considerable distances and in absence of strong local law and order, women find it unsafe to travel long distances for schooling.
Traditional practices like female infanticide, dowry, and early marriage have also contributed to the problem as many families find it economically unviable to educate the girl child.
GENDER BIAS AND STEREOTYPES
Still a large section of our Indian Society considered the roles of men as taking all the financial responsibilities and work outside.
Gender role stereotyping attributed to women have generally led to prejudice and discrimination against women. In many parts of India, especially in rural regions, there are still different socialisation norms for men and women.
Women are expected to be soft-spoken, calm, and quiet. They should walk, talk, sit and behave in a certain manner. Whereas men ought to be confident, loud, and could display any behaviour as per their wish.
Women not only in India but across the globe face a social barrier preventing women from being promoted to top jobs in management.
SAFETY
In India, despite of continuous efforts in the field of safety, women are threatened by various acts via feticides, domestic violence, rape, trafficking, forced prostitution, honour killings, sexual harassment at workplace etc.
SANITARY HEALTH AND PERIOD POVERTY
A lack of access to sanitary products, menstrual education and hygiene and sanitation facilities necessary to properly manage menstruation. According to a United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) study conducted in 2011 only 13% of girls in India are aware of menstruation before menarche.