Social Discrimination and it’s Eradication Measures

Our Indian Society consist of a variety of people that differ in Cast, Religion, Economic status and Gender. For this society a different kind of Social Justice required. According to article – 14 of Indian constitution social justice provides commitment for equality and equal protection before law. Sociologically the word gender refers gender to the socio-cultural definition of man and woman. The way in which societies distinguish men and women and assign them social roles. The distinction between sex and gender was introduced to deal with the general tendency to attribute women’s subordination to their anatomy. Gender inequality is therefore a form of inequality which is distinct from other forms of economic and social inequalities. It dwells not only outside the household but also centrally within it. It stems not only from pre-existing differences in economic endowment between women and men but also from pre-existing gendered social norms and social perceptions. India will be democratic, socialist and secular country. According to this policy there is a separation between religion and state. Practicing untouchability or discriminating a person based on his caste is legally forbidden. Along with this law the government allows positive discrimination of the depressed classes of India.

Gender based discrimination is rooted in all aspects of social, economical and political existence. Women's subordination is all round - economic, social, religious, cultural, political, and ideological, each of which reinforce to other one. Low representation in governance and decision making process, low educational and economic status and social exclusion are the crucial challenges to social inclusion. The problem of dalit women is more complex and double rounded than other women. They are not only the victim of Gender biased discriminations but also they are also suffered by the severe caste based discriminations, which limit the access to and control over development resources than later.

Half of the total number of crimes against women reported in 1990 related to molestation and harassment at the workplace. Eve teasing is a euphemism used for sexual harassment or molestation of women by men. Many activists blame the rising incidents of sexual harassment against women on the influence of "Western culture". In 1987, The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act was passed to prohibit indecent representation of women through advertisements or in publications, writings, paintings, figures or in any other manner.

In 1997, in a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of India took a strong stand against sexual harassment of women in the workplace. The Court also laid down detailed guidelines for prevention and redressal of grievances. The National Commission for Women subsequently elaborated these guidelines into a Code of Conduct for employers. India has a highly masculine sex ratio, the chief reason being that many women die before reaching adulthood. Tribal societies in India have a less masculine sex ratio than all other caste groups. This, in spite of the fact that tribal communities have far lower levels of income, literacy and health facilities. It is therefore suggested by many experts, that the highly masculine sex ratio in India can be attributed to female infanticides and sex-selective abortions.

All medical tests that can be used to determine the sex of the child have been banned in India, due to incidents of these tests being used to get rid of unwanted female children before birth. Female infanticide (killing of girl infants) is still prevalent in some rural areas. The abuse of the dowry tradition has been one of the main reasons for sex-selective abortions and female infanticides in India. The incidents of domestic violence are higher among the lower Socio-Economic Classes. The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 came into force on October 26, 2006.

References:-
► Bumiller, Elisabeth. May You Be the Mother of a Hundred Sons: A Journey among the Women of India. New York: Fawcett Columbine, 1990.

► Das Gupta, Monica, and Li Shuzhuo. “Gender Bias in China, the Republic of Korea, and India 1920-90: Effects of War, Famine, and Fertility Decline.” World Bank Policy Research Working Paper 2140. 1999. Forthcoming in Development and Change, Special Issue on Gendered Poverty and Wellbeing. Available from mdasgupta@worldbank.org or downloadable from www.worldbank.org.

► Deliege, Robert. The Untouchables of India. Oxford: Berg Press, 1999.

► Dubey, Suman. “The Middle Class.” India Briefing 1992. Eds. Leonard A. Gordon and Philip Oldenburg. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, in cooperation with Asia Society. 137-64.

►Dugger, Celia W. “Modern Asia’s Anomaly: The Girls Who Don’t Get
Born.” The New York Times, 6 May 2001.