Celebrate Equality for All Irrespective Of Gender
Shweta Shalini, BJP Spokesperson expresses her views on the Women’s Equality Day Women are underrepresented in most industries at all levels. Please share your views. Women underrepresentation at all levels is partly a result of low participation in workforce and not necessarily bias. Over the last decade, the absorption of male workforce into the economy has been more or less proportionate to increase in working age population while for females it has plummeted possibly due to two major socio-economic factors:- One is the slow shift away from Agriculture which had high women labour force who didn't shift to industries like men. In the urban landscape, lack of opportunities within safe half an hour commute from home combined with social pressure on working mothers to prioritise kids over their careers is the reason. The Indian society conditions its females to be primary caretakers absolving men of equal responsibility and over time it becomes a practical solution to quit jobs. With lack of adequate workforce, the representation is bound to be low and it isn't surprising. Women participating in the Indian workforce fell to 18 per cent in 2019 from 37 per cent in 2006 as per stats which isn't the fault of Corporates alone. Indian ranking. The World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report this year ranks India at 149th position out of 153 countries on economic participation and opportunity for women. What measures can be put in place by companies to enable women to stay in profession? Measures aren't the need of the hour as private sector won't and shouldn't buy-in to reduce competitiveness in a bid to enable women. Women don't need that bargain and be again seen as put in a privileged position unlike men who compete and win. The only measure would be the greater sensitisation of Corporates to the positive impact on productivity which a more gender diverse work force will have. Corporates should embrace gender diversity and encourage women for the benefit accruing to the organisation rather than sort of a free give-away by men. The western companies are realising it with lots of research backing it and are moving accordingly to not just ensure gender diversity but also racial and diversity of culture. A diverse workforce has greater ability to come up with innovative solutions. Indian companies will follow the lead or remain uncompetitive. Indian and International awards are known to show gender gap As good idea would be to have a gender balanced jury or to withhold names of nominees so that design gets evaluated and judged purely based on the merit with name, reputation or gender of designer not influencing the jury. Another thing to correct the gender gap is any would be to make designing as a profession of choice for women and increase presence which will automatically reduce chances of bias. Does a lack of recognition and gender pay gap put women off their career path? Yes it does put off not just women but also men. Men are seen as primary earners which eventually leads to bias in pay as corporates pay considering that females salary is just complimentary addition to the family income. Physical factors which reduces women's ability to perform manual work is also a deterrent in blue collar female workers. Do you feel that celebrating work of women in any field should not be seen as benevolent sexism? It would be seen as benevolence only if men's achievements aren't celebrated in an organisation while women's success are. Whether it's career or work pressures, the women should be taught entitlement and freedom as much as men are. The men should be taught to respect the sense of entitlement, likes and dislikes of women too just like they do for fellow men which will automatically put an end to sexism in all forms. Much of these attitude is acquired from the society and upbringing and may not go anytime soon.
Tags : Interviews