Empowering Women and Role of NGOs in Gender Equality in India

Empowering Women and Role of NGOs in Gender Equality in India

For centuries gender inequality has been a burning social issue in India. As per the 2011 census, the child sex ratio of boys to girls in the age range of 0 to 6 years was 918:100. This ratio depicts the desire to have only male child and the discrimination against girl child which demands efficient and urgent solutions.

The discrimination between girls and boys starts even before a child is born. In many cases, a girl child is prevented from being born as she is considered a burden to the family. If a girl child does survive female infanticide, she lives in an environment where she is not granted even basic rights, wholesome nutrition, equal education opportunities, and is unable to lead a thriving childhood. The census 2011 revealed that girl children constituted 48% of the total child population in India and most of them were engaged in child labor, child marriage, or child trafficking.

In this article, we will look at how grim is the condition of a girl child in India, the factors, and reasons that contribute to such gender inequality, and how gender equality NGOs In India are striving to bridge these gender-related gaps.

Definition of Gender Inequality Gender discrimination refers to any kind of unequal treatment based on genders such as priority or privilege. Gender inequality causes one gender or sex to be routinely prioritized or privileged over another. ● Gender inequality exists in the form of differences in power, status, health, and employment of the weaker sex. ● Gender equality is the fundamental right of every human and gender-based discrimination violates this basic right. ● Almost all human rights treaties prohibit gender discrimination including international laws which provide for equal gender rights for women and men. ● There are laws that are specifically geared towards the realization of women's rights for example the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.

The Statistics Show State of Girl Child in India Patriarchal norms of Indian society hold back many girls and women from realizing their dreams. The lack of quality education, poor medical facilities, and overall awareness of their rights create a grim scene for a girl child. Let us look at some of the statistics to verify this belief: ● As per NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau) 2018, children constitute 51% of all trafficking victims out of which 80% are girls. ● As per Census 2011, married children in India amount to 12.5 million out of which 8.9 million children are girls. The ratio of married girls to boys is 3:1. ● As per UNICEF India has 233 million girls brides and 102 million are married even before they turn 15.

Causes and Effects of Gender Inequality Gender prejudice begins in childhood, from the time a child is born girls and boys experience different gender norms with respect to access to opportunities and resources, which have lifelong consequences at homes, schools, and communities. ● Boys are encouraged to go to school and take up jobs while girls have to carry household responsibilities. Lack of education increases the odds of child marriage and pregnancy. ● Gender inequality is the prime reason behind sexual violence against women and they also have to take part in unrecognized domestic work. ● Gender discrimination has long-lasting psychological effects on mental health all around the world. Some of the effects are high levels of stress, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, eating disorders, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) in women and other marginalized genders of society. ● Women get paid less for the same amount and kind of work than men. ● Women have to go through unpaid work such as tending to a sick relative. ● Women have a lack of representation in government offices.

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The everyday life of working women around the world is inundated with sexist remarks, workplace discrimination, and sexual harassment.

Significance of Gender Equality Gender equality is imperative for a peaceful, sustainable, and prosperous future. It is crucial to enhance the value of a girl child through investing in them and empowering them with life skills, education, sports, and other means. Gender equality happens when people of all genders have equal responsibilities, rights, and opportunities. ● When we increase the value of a girl we are collectively contributing to achieving specific results, ○ Some are short terms like reduction in anemia, improved education. ○ A few middle-term achievements are ending child marriage. ○ While some are long-term effects such as eradicating sex selection on gender bias. ● By achieving gender equality we prevent many kinds of violence against women for example limits to women's freedom, men's control on decision making, rigid gender stereotypes, roles, etc. ● Gender equality leads to economic prosperity such as an increase in GDP per capita.

It is also reported that businesses gain 15% more profit by having women in leadership roles. ● The economy of a nation also betters since crime against women takes up a large percentage of police work and government funds.

How NGOs Support Gender Equality NGOs are well placed to propagate awareness and the consequences of gender inequality in India. NGOs are able to recognize gender discrimination at many levels and sectors which are not identified readily otherwise. ● NGOs recognize that change can be brought about quicker if all stakeholders (government, administration, providers of the required funding, etc.) are involved in discussions. Hence, NGOs promote this approach and also ensure the electorate understands the need for change and supports it. ● NGOs are extremely effective advocates at all levels i.e. local, national, and international. ● NGOs understand the importance of Women's SHGs (self-help groups) as an effective strategy for empowering rural women as well as girls in urban regions.

SHGs bring together women from all walks of life to fight for the eradication of inequality. SHGs work on multiple issues including health, agriculture, nutrition, forestry, seeking mirror credit, activities to generate income, and many more. ● NGOs promote the use of ICT (Information and COmmunication technology) to empower women. ● NGOs work intimately with affected rural women and represent their problems to concerned authorities. They also carry out impact assessments of those policies that affect women.

Driving Initiatives to Reduce Gender Discriminations WOTR (Watershed Organization Trust) is an NGO working for gender equality in India.

WOTR was established in 1993 and it is involved in ensuring the availability of basic necessities (food, water, shelter) to the disadvantaged communities of India. WOTR works with various stakeholders across different sectors and has improved human lives, especially that of women, in 5200 villages. Their women-specific work includes promoting SHGs, building capacity and reducing the drudgery of women, and helping women set up small-scale businesses.