Aditya Munish
Middle School Runner-Up, Grade 8
Little Elm, Texas
Gender Inequality
From the grandma who has to walk in the boiling heat of the sun to buy groceries in order to feed her family, to the working mother who’s inescapable burden of taking care of the entire domestic duties rests on her shoulders amidst her full time job, and the girl who aspires to be a doctor being told that she cannot prevail above her duties to the family because of her gender. These are just 2-3 of a massive number of jarring examples of women inequality in India. Despite India’s constitution stating that all men and women are guaranteed equal rights, society deems to think otherwise.
For over 5000+ years, women have been ill treated which has evolved into a deeply ingrained hierarchy system where men are at a higher rank than women. The root cause of women inequality in India is resulting from persecution towards women, and the Indian patriarchy system.
My essay sheds light on lesser-known problems and impacts associated with Women Inequality, and pursues to enlighten society; providing a roadmap towards a future where men and women are treated equally and fairly.
Historical Information and Impact on Growth
Gender Inequality in India can be traced back to ancient times; where societal roles and norms were profoundly established in patriarchal structures. Research by Dr. R. Balasubramanian, Department of Indian Culture states, “In ancient India, gender roles were defined by a complex interplay of religious, cultural, and social factors … Despite the rich diversity of ancient Indian cultures, many shared a common thread of assigning women primarily domestic roles, limiting their participation in public life.”(JETIR). In the 18th century, the arrival of colonial powers further intensified these injustices. British administrative policies reinforced existing patriarchal norms, with educational systems predominantly catering to boys. Despite India gaining independence in 1947, societal opinions and entrenched patriarchal structures continued to suppress women's rights and opportunity, implanting a divide and strengthening strict gender roles for females as the guardians of the home.
Statistics and Lesser Known Challenges
Education Disparities: Girls from lower castes often lack access to education in India. On average, only the top 20% obtain 9 years, while many in the bottom 20% receive none, perpetuating educational inequality based on gender and social status.
Gender Pay Gap: Women internationally earn less than men for the same work, reflecting persistent economic disparities and unequal pay practices.
Unpaid Care Work: Women bear a disproportionate burden of unpaid care work, limiting their participation in paid labor and overall well-being.
An article by the World Economic Forum states, “Women in India spend around five hours a day on unpaid care work while men devote a mere half an hour on average. This disproportionate burden of unpaid care work by women means they lose out on opportunities to participate in paid labor or are forced to undertake paid labor-”(WEF). The WEF’s study highlights how societal structures maintain ingrained traditions that affect women.
Personal Experience and Opinions
During my summer vacation in India, I was confronted with a stark reality about gender inequality within my own family that I had previously overlooked. Despite my premature beliefs, I witnessed significant disparities, which left me utterly bewildered!
After an enervating 16-hour flight and an 8-hour transit wait, exhaustion was widespread. My father, sister, and I could rest as needed, but my mother had no such luxury. Despite serious leg swelling causing extreme pain—doctors even advised rest—she was expected to help with household chores alongside caring for my grandmother. The men in the house, aware of her condition, showed little concern. Instead, they lounged, demanding coffee at random times, ignorant to the exhaustion and pain all the women endured.
This experience highlighted entrenched beliefs that women are destined for household duties, even the most unpleasant tasks like cleaning and trash disposal. Such attitudes sustain inequality and ignore the physical and emotional toll on women, perpetuating an unjust burden.
Regardless of a woman achieving important milestones such as becoming a CEO, Senior Bank Manager, or even the Prime Minister; she continues to be judged based on her physical appearance, looks, and her conventional domestic abilities. Her accomplishments are often overshadowed by these peripheral expectations; this is unfair and outrageous!
Women often bear the blame for poor parenting when children misbehave, disregarding the shared responsibility both parents have in raising them. Conversely, positive behaviors in children are frequently credited solely to their paternal lineage.
Solutions
Raising Awareness: Anyone can share their thoughts and opinions towards supporting women.
From high schoolers posting stories about mistreated women, to societies joining hands and having meetings about the pressing problem; a meaningful way Americans can help stop gender inequality is leading media attention towards the problems.
Supporting Organizations about helping the problem of Women's Inequality: There are several organizations throughout India that help promote stopping women inequality. Such as World Economic Forum, Care India, UNESCO and much more.
Encouraging International Pressure: When more and more countries support this pressing problem, India’s government is forced to take action. Try supporting organizations all around the world to help this problem.
Reflecting on the lives of my grandmothers, aunts, mom, and women all around the world, it became disturbingly explicit that the cycle of gender inequality continues relentlessly. If men can retire from their careers at the age of 50-60, when will women in any family retire from household chores…Until their last breath?