Does discrimination against women a cause of backwardness of Indian economy?

By Ramita Udayashankar Women are the backbone of the society. But right through history they have been discriminated against and treated as inferior to men with their contribution to growth and development not acknowledged. Discrimination against women is something that includes all cultural, social, economic, racial, ethnic levels and classes. India, with a population of 1.2 billion, is the world's second most populous country. Of this number, 120 million are women who live in poverty. India is also one of the few countries where males significantly outnumber females. As per the 2001 Census, women made up for only 48% of the total population. Women Empowerment is in fact the ability of women to exercise full control over their actions. The position of women in post independent India has been undergoing a change. Supported by Constitutional guarantees to ensure dignity and equal opportunities, their participation in the various walks of life including education, politics and sports has been growing. The Indian Constitution guarantees equality to all its citizens and no discrimination can be made on the basis of sex. Keeping the backdrop of discrimination against women, state has also been empowered to make special provisions to protect them. Equality of opportunity in terms of employment with no discrimination on basis of sex is also guaranteed. The Indian state has also to strive for equal pay for equal work for both men and women. It is also the fundamental duty of each citizen to quit practices which affects the dignity of women. The 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments also provide for reservation of one-third of the total number of seats for women in panchayats (increased to 50% in 2009), municipal and other local bodies. Several bills and laws have been passed under different Acts to protect the rights of women. Govt. of India declared 2001 as year of women empowerment. National policy for the empowerment of women was also passed in 2001. On March 9, 2010, Rajya Sabha passed the Womens Reservation Bill providing for 33% reservation to women in Parliament and state legislative bodies. The bill now awaits the approval of Lok Sabha. The pillars of women empowerment are literacy (very low in rural areas), better health facilities (for mother and child), nutrition, political representation (from Gram Panchayat level to Lok Sabha) and financial security i.e. equal opportunity for self employment and self reliance. We need to make women aware of their rights, create a favourable atmosphere and give them due opportunities to live (Equal opportunities are not given hence not getting equal wages). The economic participation of women their presence in the workforce in mathematical terms is important not only for lowering the unequal levels of poverty among women but is also an important step toward raising household income and encouraging economic development in countries as a whole.

Discrimination against women in India: Unequal treatment imposed to women in India has always been an issue of concern. The society at large considers women as second class. Discrimination against women does not end with childhood, nor is it confined to the countryside only. Although India has had a woman as prime minister, the percentage of women serving in political or administrative offices still remains very low. According to the 2001 Census, female literacy in India was 54.16 % against male literacy of 75.85 %. Most of the working women remain outside the organized sector. Mere 2.3% women are administrators and managers, and 20.5% professional and technical workers. On an average one Indian woman gets killed or commits suicide every four hours over a dowry dispute. Female infanticide is a huge issue in India. People just do not want girls. The government has tried to step in but what do you do when majority of the population does not desire baby girls. India is among the few nations in the world where life expectancy at birth is shorter for females than males. Compared to sons, daughters are also more likely to be malnourished, receive inadequate health care and be neglected. Discrimination against the female sex starts at the stage of the foetus itself, with the killing of the female foetus. In India, the number of females birth per 1000 male births is less than 900, while the global average is over 950. Many women die before reaching adulthood because of gender-based inequities that translate into an imbalance of between 20 and 25 million fewer women. India has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, accounting for 12% of the deaths of rural women of reproductive age. Forms of Discrimination against women There are 5 major areas of discrimination against women in India: Malnutrition: India has exceptionally high rates of women malnutrition, because tradition in India requires that women eat last and least throughout their lives. Poor Health: Females receive less health care than males. Many women die in childbirth of easily preventable complications. Lack of education: Female education in India is still a far cry. It implies in low opportunities for jobs. Families are far less likely to educate girls than boys, and far more likely to pull them out of school. Overwork: Women work longer hours and their work is more difficult than men's, yet their work is unrecognized. Unskilled: In women's primary employment sector - agriculture - extension services overlook women. Problems faced by women Since many cultures value boys more than girls, many girls do not even get the chance to be born, and those who are born often do not get the same access to food, shelter, education and health care as boys. Many girls are forced into marriages and into

harmful sexual relations while they are still children. Girls are often expected to help with chores in their own homes as well as work for pay in other peoples homes. These girls then have less time and fewer opportunities for play, education and personal development. Discrimination and violence often happen behind closed doors within the family or community, where it is never discovered by people who could help. People also often feel it is not their business to mix into others family affairs. Lower employment among women is a sign of economic backwardness of a nation because the economy fails to generate enough jobs. Among most families in urban areas, job work for women is still governed by family deci6sions rather than the individuals own decision. When men earn high income, families discourage female members from taking up jobs. Higher employment among women in rural areas is owing to widespread rural poverty. Present scenario of women in economic sphere Over the years there has been little structural change in the employment pattern of women in India. The participation of women in the national economy both as producers & consumers is very limited. Women have a strong sense of responsibility & have avoided strife even at the cost of their own welfare. They are working on both domestic & economic fronts simultaneously. Across different sectors of the Indian Economy from 1999 to 2000, the female workforce in primary sector is 75%, 12% in secondary sector and 13% in tertiary sector. Discrimination of women in India can be eliminated by the following ways: A good education for women is a very important part of being empowered, and all schools should consider the needs of girls and provide safe spaces for learning. Girls should be allowed to participate in making the decisions that affect them and their future. Empowerment of women could only be achieved if their economic and social status is improved. Women should be allowed to work and should be provided enough safety and support to work. They should be provided with proper wages and work at par with men so that their status can be elevated in society. Conclusion Women empowerment is a change in the context of a womens life, which enables her increased capacity for leading a fulfilling human life. Women in India are economically and socially underprivileged. Bibliography Books Economic Empowerment of Women in India by M. Ramanjaneyulu Women's empowerment, issues, challenges, and strategies: a source book By Hajira Kumar Women key to successful democracy By Varalakshmi Ganapathy Indian Economic development by T. R. Jain Sahara Times

The Argumentative Indian by Amartya Sen Competition Success Review Pratiyogita Darpan

Internet www.civilserviceindia.com UNICEF Voices of Youth Website Chronic Hunger and the Status of Women in India