Rooted problem of gender discrimination and immense ignorance towards women empowerment.

Name : ADITI SINHA

TECH ID: TECH53635

• Gender discrimination has become one of the most distressing and miserable situations of our country.• Growth and development prevails in scientific and educational fields but their lack is seen in the mindset of a large population of our country.• Women are being deprived of various necessities that are essential not only for their development but also for the development of the nation.• The attitude of discrimination towards women has existed for generations and as a result, affects the lives of both gender including the development of our country.• There are less opportunities for women in sectors which traditionally demand for men to participate such as armed forces, factories etc.• Women are regarded to be disadvantaged at work and conclusions are drawn that their capabilities are often underestimated.

Female literacy rate and its impact on our society

The development of any nation is indicated by the level of education and that too of both genders. As per census of 2011, an effective literacy rate of India for men was 82.14% whereas for women it was only 65.46%. There is a dramatic difference in the female literacy rate based on various regions in India. Kerala has highest female literacy rate( 92%, as per 2011 census) whereas Rajasthan(52.7% as per 2011 census) has lowest female literacy rate in India. States such as Uttar Pradesh(59.3% as per 2011 census) and Bihar (53.3% as per 2011 census) in spite of being thickly populated, show low levels of female literacy.

Female literacy rate in var-ious states of India

BiharKerala Rajasthan AssamOdisha

Lack of education means lack of awareness. Illiterate women are not aware of their rights When a girl or woman is not educated, it is not only she who suffers but the entire family has to bear the consequences of her illiteracy. The following pie-chart shows the rate of female illiteracy in various states of India.

Women’s health in India

The heath of Indian women is intrinsically linked to their status in India. Many of the health problems of Indian women are related to high levels of fertility. Overall fertility has been declining in India, by 1992-93, the total fertility rate was 3.4(IIPS,’95).

Uttar Pradesh has a total fertility of over five children per woman. On the other hand, Kerala, which has relatively high levels of female education and autonomy, has total fertility rate under 2.

Over 100,000 Indian women die each year from Pregnancy related causes. India’s Maternal Mortality Rate, dropped from 212 deaths per 100,000 in 2007-2009 to 178 in 2010-2012.

Dowry….still an anathema in our country

Recent reports reveal, in India, a woman dies every hour due to dowry related problems. The national crime records Bureau figures state that 8233 dowry deaths were reported in 2012 from various states.

In 2001, near 7000 dowry deaths were registered in India over inadequate dowry apart from other mental trauma cases. Bride burning, inducing suicides, physical and mental torture by their husbands or in-laws is sometimes found to be done if the bride fails to bring sufficient dowry.

The number of dowry deaths in the country has seen a steady growth during the period between 2007-2011. While in 2007, 8093 such deaths were reports, the number rose to 8172 and 8383 in 2008 and 2009 respectively. In 2010, 8391 deaths were reported according to NCRB.

Rape and sexual harassment… According to 2012 statistics, New Delhi has the highest number of rape

reports among Indian cities, while Jabalpur has the per capita incidence of reported rapes.

Sources show that rape cases in India have doubled between 1990 and 2008. The latest estimates suggest that a new case of rape is reported every 22 minutes in India.

According to NCRB, 24,206 rape cases were reported in India in 2011.

Ideas for improving female literacy rate

Primary education plays the most important role in shaping up the base. For this reason, free education, means of transportation etc. should be provided to the girls and they should be allowed by their family members to attend the classes. Every literate should take initiatives to teach illiterate girls. Message should be spread that education of women is a pre-condition for fighting against their oppression.

The condition of women’s health in India can be improved by: increasing the access to basic health services. improving sanitation and hygiene practices. improving quantity and quality of food and nutrients increasing the number of nursing homes, clinics and hospitals in rural areas as well.

The steps which should be taken for increasing the safety of women are as follows: By increasing police patrolling. All VIPs with more than two security personnel should give one cop from their security to enhance police presence for the public. All public transport must be on GPS and CCTV’s should be installed in buses. All sexual offenders must be monitored by law enforcers once they have served their sentence.

CONLUSIONFrom ancient times, women are facing all types of hardships which they do not even deserved. Today

women are working in every field that was once thought to be done only by men. It is said a girl transforms the

house to home. Let’s give chance to all the women so that they can reach new horizons and our country can

progress in every possible way. Let them study, let them work, let them live their dreams and last but not the least,

respect them.