Amirthamayee 1

OPRESSION FACED BY “OTHERS”

The society that one lives in does not comprise of uniform individuals, they vary from person
to person. This leads to the formation of a majority and a minority in the society which leads
to different kinds of discrimination. Some face discrimination for being a religious minority
and some due to being differently abled. In Susan Wendell’s work, “Toward a feminist theory
of disability1” she talks about the discrimination due to being disabled or handicapped in the
society and the hardships some disabled individuals face in the society. Many disabilities have
not been medically recognized as a disability and therefore are non-existent in the eyes of the
society. This society does not include every individual equally, but it categorizes each and
every individual into a certain category which may or may not be correct. Wendell mentions
the usage of the term “other” to refer to some of the categories. She suggests that the word
implies that the subject is not in accordance with the norms of the society and is deviating from
the normal. Disability for example as mentioned in the reading is mostly seen as a physiological
defect in an individual. This is unfair as they also belong to them same society.

This is similar to the stance taken by Kriti Sharma in her article, ‘Custody, conflict, psych-
social well-being.2’ Both of them talk about the alienation faced by a disabled individual in the
society, especially that faced by a woman. The needs of a disabled individual are much greater
than that of an “abled” person, and being a disabled woman requires much more attention and
has many more requirements. They are perceived as a burden on society, and they are often
“sold” by their parents or in-laws which is not very commonly observed in disabled men. In
public institutions which are run by the State, one would expect good facilities which meets
the needs of all individuals. However, as mentioned in the articles the basic needs of a disabled
person are not met which leads to more alienation from the society and makes them a bigger
burden as they cannot even do basic functions on their own. The conditions in a prison are
much worse. Prisons in India do not have the basic amenities that a woman requires, and
disabled individuals undergo much more difficulty. Basic rights are not given to the inmates.
This leads to mental agony and torture which sometimes lead to a number of mental issues
such as post-traumatic stress disorder and schizophrenia which makes the individual disabled
in the eyes of the society. For example, an inmate does not have the right of patient
confidentiality as the therapy session if allowed, is in the presence of guards which might defeat
the entire purpose of therapy.

The resources which are available to men in this patriarchal society are much greater than that
which women get. The disparity can be seen in the disabled society as well. Many of the
common struggles endured by a female such as menstruation is not considered a set-back or a
disability, but if we look at the definition of disability, we can conclude that it comes within its
ambit. The patriarchal system reduces the position of women in the entire society. This is
reiterated in Ghazala Jamil’s3 article when she states that a woman is considered as the “shadow
of a man” and does not have an individual identity. The feeling of “self” which is defined in a
masculine manner is almost non-existent as they are considered beings only to satisfy the
system’s needs which are favorable to men due to its patriarchal nature. Women are denied
most of their rights and freedoms and in many cases, they are not even aware that their right is
being taken away.

1
Wendell, Toward a feminist theory of disability
2
Sharma, Custody, conflict, psych- social well-being
3
Jamil, Muslim women speak
 Amirthamayee 2

The patriarchal system prevents the inclusion of women at high positions, and this impacts the
minority women much more. This society has evolved in a way that prescribes certain role for
women and if one dares to deviate from it, she is considered a rebel and one who does not
respect traditions. For instance, in her article Jamil talks about the religious minority of Muslim
women. She mentions that the Muslim community is looked down upon in the society and
suffer from discrimination. The discrimination and oppression faced by a Muslim woman is
also much greater. She talks about how Muslim women are judged by the society and are
restricted from doing various activities in the name of respect for their religion or society which
in fact is shaped by men in this patriarchal society. The instance mentioned in the article is of
how a Muslim girl is considered forward if she does not wear her hijab and backward if she
does, but what the society is doing by labelling her is oppression and taking away her free will
or choice.

The society that is described is non-inclusive and not equal to every part of it due to its
patriarchal nature. It sets out norms that make a lot of individuals a part of “other” who face
oppression from the majority. Women and disabled individuals are some of those who bear the
brunt of the society and do not get a vote in their own life. They are deprived from the feeling
of inclusion in the society. I feel this oppression is multifold for women who are disabled or a
part of a minority as they don’t only face one form of oppression but many forms of it therefore,
I agree with Ghazala when she mentions that patriarchy, communalism and poverty are not
experienced in separate spheres but can be loosely demarcated for explaining the various social
relationships in this society.

Name: Amirthamayee
ID: 20171312
Class: BA LLB ‘E’
Word Count: 969