Concerns Over Subtle Gender Discrimination 

Syllabus: GS1/Society

Context

• The Vice-President of India during his address at the SheShakti2024 event emphasized on paying attention to pervasive subtle gender discrimination in the society.

Different form of subtle gender discrimination

• Gender Stereotyping in Professional Roles: Many jobs in India are still viewed as either male or female roles. This stereotyping affects hiring practices, career progression, and even the way tasks are allocated within a professional environment.
  • For instance, engineering, defense, and construction are often seen as male-dominated sectors, while teaching, nursing, and caregiving roles are generally attributed to women.
• Decision-Making Positions: Subtle gender discrimination manifests when women are systematically excluded from key decision-making processes, or when their opinions are not given equal weight.
  • The “glass ceiling” persists, making it harder for women to ascend to top management positions.
• Microaggressions in the Workplace: Subtle gender discrimination often takes the form of microaggressions—small, everyday verbal or non-verbal slights. 
• Domestic Responsibilities: Even as more women enter the workforce, they are still expected to shoulder the bulk of domestic work.
  • This double burden is often overlooked in formal discussions about gender equality but remains a major hindrance to women’s professional growth.
• Education and Career Guidance: Girls are encouraged to choose safe or family-friendly professions, rather than being pushed toward fields like technology or entrepreneurship, which are perceived as more male-dominated.

Government steps to address the issue

• Reservation for Women in Local Governance: The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, which reserve one-third of seats in Panchayats and Municipalities for women, have been instrumental in empowering women at the grassroots level.
• Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017: To reduce workplace discrimination, the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017, increased paid maternity leave from 12 to 26 weeks. 
• Women in STEM Initiatives: Recognizing the underrepresentation of women in STEM fields, the government has initiated various scholarships, mentoring programs, and initiatives like the Women Scientist Scheme to encourage greater participation in science and technology fields.
• Gender Budgeting: Gender budgeting is an important tool used by the government to analyze the impact of public expenditure on gender equality.
  • By incorporating gender perspectives into budgetary decisions, India is gradually focusing on addressing gender disparities in various sectors like health, education, and employment.
• Stand-Up India Scheme: It encourages entrepreneurship among women by providing easy access to financing. It aims to promote self-employment and business ventures led by women.
• MUDRA Loans: It provides credit specifically for women entrepreneurs. It facilitates financial support for women-led businesses and startups.

Way Ahead

• While India has made great strides in formalizing gender equality through laws and policies, the subtle forms of gender discrimination remain pervasive and deeply embedded in societal structures. 
• Addressing these biases requires a multi-pronged approach involving not just policy interventions but also societal transformation in how we perceive gender roles. 
• Continued government efforts, coupled with increased awareness and proactive initiatives in the private sector, are critical in dismantling these subtle yet significant barriers to true gender equality.

Source: PIB