Gender Equality 

-By Rahul singh

Introduction

Gender equality is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable society . The main aim of the is to achieve a world where people are free to share views irrespective of their gender and get acknowledge and praise for their contribution. The world without equality is like a world without right to present the views so the Sustainable development 5 of Gender equality is yet to achieved and its target to hit the target by 2030.

Understanding SDG 5

SDG 5 or Gender equality primary focuses on ending all sorts of Discrimination and providing a variable environment where participation of women is must and they are free to raise their voices against any sort of violence and discrimination that’s prevelant in the society. To get full benefit of the resources we should be just in providing equal opportunities so as to improve the quality of life and make a world a better place.

Measures to be taken to end Discrimination to be followed

End Discrimination: Discrimination all sorts of is driving wedge in the society, it creates a environment where people feel uncomfortable to share their views and are afraid of violence so discrimination should be ended to give people a just society with free flow of views .

End Violence: Violence against women had been a major issue in the society ,it’s more prevalent in the rural areas where people don’t allow their partners to move out of their houses without their permission. Human trafficking and violence is the issue that has to be dealt with as it is a curse to the society where we couldn’t respect women.

Eliminate Harmful Practices: In most of the underdeveloped and developing countries and moreover in rural areas child marriage and female infanticide is a common phenomenon which leads to a condition of violence against women and therefore creating a world where women struggle to find their space in the society.

Ensure Participation: Participation of women in all aspects is a must for the society as it gives a platform for proper utilisation of the resources of the country and more creating a society where freedom of speech and right to raise the voices against the any discrimination leads to a better society .

Action taken by Indian Government in field of gender equality

Legal and Policy Frameworks

Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005: This law was implemented with the view to ensure the rights of the women in household, main aim was to protect them domestic violence in all respect and protect their rights . The women could file complain in their local police station about any violence against them and police are entitled to take strict action against the people.

Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013: This law was implemented to protect the women in their workplace and provide a urgent redressal and action against the culprit. This safeguard the women and provide a healthy workplace environment where they could work with their own will and seek help for any violence.

Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961: This act prohibits the giving or taking of dowry, a practice that has been a major issue of the society, it address the issue and take action against culprit for taking any sort of gifts taking for marriage.

Government Programs to empower women

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP): It was launched as course of action for declining girl child ratio in the census of 2011 and it main objective was to restrict malpractices of abortion of child by gender identification by ultra sound technology. It also aims to provide girl child with primary education and empowering them to take part in the society.

Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK): This scheme provides women with loan to finance their skills and open ventures so as to take part in the society. This helps in women skill empowerment and helps to putting their skills onboard and earn from it.

The Importance of Gender Equality

Achieving gender equality is crucial for several reasons:

Economic Growth: women participation and upskilling helps growth of the society and economy as a whole as it provides a platform for the women to share their views and also be a part of it . It’s needed as it improves the quality of life of the people and moreover changing views of the people and making a economy great.

Health and Well-being: Education and participation of women help upskilling the youth of the society and moreover proving them a better view of the future and decrease in the rate of abuse against women as they could raise their voice against the unjust to them.

Peace and Stability: Societies with greater gender equality are more peaceful and stable. Women’s participation helps to give a society new outlook and moreover helps in achieving goal and improving the life of the people.

Achieving SDG Goals: Sdg goals which are entitled to be achieved before 2030 are not possible without the participation of women , they are the essential component of the society and their insights can’t be ignored and moreover it’s needed to achieve the upcoming goals and improve the standard of living of the people and helps the country and moreover society as whole to grow.

Conclusion

To become a global leader we have to make a just full society where expression of views are not suppressed due to gender and everyone as a whole take part and helps in growth of economy as whole. Education of each is necessary and moreover lives of each one matters so female infanticide should not be a part of any developing or developed society .

Citations

Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline perez

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

The Color Purple by alice walker

Possessing the Secret of Joy alice walker

Sexual Politics by kate millet

The Birth of the Pill: How Four Crusaders Reinvented Sex and Launched a Revolution by Jonathan eig

The Feminine Mystique by betty friendan

SDG5 – Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women and Girl by Umesh Chandra

Diversity Quotas, Diverse Perspectives By Stephan Groschl and Junko Takagi

Encyclopedia of Women and Gender Edited by Judith Worell

Things Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe