Progress In Women’s World: A Gap Between Policies And Ground Realities
Shilpa Rani is a third year undergraduate pursuing law from NUSRL, Ranchi. She believes that having an idea is futile if it is not expressed to world. She wants to give all her dreams a chance of fulfillment.
Progress In Women’s World: A Gap Between Policies And Ground Realities
In one of its reports, the International Labor Organization (ILO) reported that more than 204 million people were unemployed in 2015. Out of the 17 goals set by United Nations in its Development Program in the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development, Goal-8 is Decent Work and Economic Growth. A major challenge is to solve issues like forced labour, human trafficking and slavery to achieve full as well as productive employment. The term ‘decent work’ is not just limited to an opportunity of well being in an economy but decent wages, workplace safety and protection from harassment and discrimination are included too. Men and women both play an important role in economic development but from times immemorial women have been at a disadvantage in this area. Although the principle of equality has been recognized for a long time in the United Nation charter, 1945 and also in United Nation Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 it has been pointed out by many that women’s position in the development process was never fully addressed.
The neglected condition of women clearly implies that when half of the population is not addressed humanity is deprived of half of its energy as well as creativity. Discrimination against women is very rampant with blatant examples of discrimination in recruitment and promotion opportunities where they are paid less for work that is similar in nature. Various laws are being passed for health and welfare facilities, maternity benefits, crèche facilities, nursing break, separate toilets etc but their benefits are still out of reach of women employees. Different policies are made; guidelines are set out but not properly implemented. There are still numerous women at lower rank, who are being paid low wages, who suffer from discrimination and harassment and whose work receives little or no recognition. Laws, though passed are not implemented in the organized sectors and are non-existent in the un-organized sectors. This is a result of the reluctant nature of employers to implement those laws, policies, guidelines combined with the ignorant nature of Government in monitoring them. The concept of gender equality appears to be futile when we look at the number of cases where women have suffered discrimination on the basis of gender, when they are sexually abused or have to work in very hostile and unsafe environments. Many cases are not reported and to those which are reported, justice is denied, delayed and distorted.
Globally, it has been noted that women still work at lower rates when compared to men though Article 7 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights guarantees equal pay for equal work. Adding to this there is a stereotype belief about the kind of work women can do. Out of 143 countries in this world around 93 countries have imposed legal restrictions on women employment. These restrictions being legal or societal pressures are imposed on women employment restricting them to professions like teaching in primary schools, nursing etc. The problem remains that they are not given proper opportunity for higher education, training for skill development and thus their area of work is restricted. This is a deeply rooted notion and to uproot this, there is a need to bring about a change in the attitude of society at large.
It can be noted that the women’s sector is not organized which is clearly seen in the absence of women trade unions. When a woman raises her voice and shows discontent and reveals her preferences, it is seen as an exception rather than a rule. Male dominated trade unions treat women’s issue as minor and not important enough to discuss. Women labourers suffer from economic as well as sexual exploitation. In India the pathetic condition of women was observed by Committee on the Status of Women in India, also known as ‘Towards Equality’ in 1974. The Committee recommended a change in attitude, behaviour and law. Women should be aware of their rights and also the social and economical schemes run by Government for their development. Frequent cases of discrimination and violence show that Governments and International organizations haven’t yet fully been able to realize complete inclusion of women in the economic sphere.
We need to understand that bodily differences do not mean that both are unequal. Women play a dual role and this is a herculean task.The domestic responsibilities of women affects the nature and extent of their work participation as also their reproductive responsibilities of bearing and rearing children. The problem arises when these responsibilities are seen as insecurities and make their status as secondary. They are treated as temporary and non-serious. For this reason unmarried girls are preferred as employees to ensure commitment but at the same time it is believed that they will quit once they get married. These notions need to be changed in order to give equal recognition to women’s work.
It is the need of the 21st Century that gender issues be solved in order to attain the goal of an all-around development.
Women must have equal access to opportunities, decent work, productive resources and financial services. They must have an equal voice in economic decisions and for this, necessary foundations are quality education, decent work, access to facilities and above all a life free from discrimination and violence. We will have to integrate gender equality in all dimensions of sustainable development.
While the world defines the Sustainable Development Goals for the 2030 Agenda, it is the need of hour to achieve the goal of gender equality. These inequalities can be reduced by public action, proper implementation of policies, guidelines and laws and above all by recognition of women’s work. Bridging the gap between policies framed and ground realities requires much more than just legal reforms.
