GENDER SENSITIZATION

UNIT IV & V

1. Need for gender sensitization

A way to reduce barriers to personal and economic development created by sexism.

Helps to generate respect for the individual regardless of sex.
Is one basic requirement for the normal development of an individual

2. Mid-day meal
The Midday Meal Scheme is a school meal programme of the Government of India designed to
improve the nutritional status of school-age children nationwide. The programme supplies free
lunch on working days for children in primary and upper primary classes in government,
government aided schools.

3. Female foeticide

Female foeticide is the process of finding out the sex of the foetus and undergoing abortion if it is
a girl. Although it is illegal, many people continue to practice it. Besides this, there are some
communities which practice female infanticide - the practice of killing the girl child once she is
born.

4. Socialization. The impact of Socialization towards Gender equality within India.

The act of adapting behavior to the norms of a culture or society is called socialization. 

Socialization can also mean going out and meeting people or hanging out with friends.

The word socialization can mean "the process of making social.

In India gender socialization occurs not only through the acquisition of gender-appropriate
behaviors, but also through observing adults in the household, who are role models to children.
When the household is characterized by family violence, children encounter another form of
gender socialization. That is, children who witness fathers beating their mothers may become
conditioned to accept violence in their relationships. Research in India has already established
that violence is transmitted across generations, showing that married men who, as children,
witnessed their father beating their mother were significantly more likely to condone and commit
acts of violence against their own wives

First, stress process recognizes that stressors are generally harmful for the mental health of male
and female youth. Thus, witnessing violence between parents and experiencing parental beatings
are well-established predictors of mental health problems for both male and female youth
similarly; barriers that inhibit efforts to become more independent may create frustration and
despair for youth, generating mental health problems regardless of gender. At the same time,
however, it must be recognized that exposure to these stressors is not random, with females more
likely to encounter barriers to independence because of their sex.

Second, it is likely that gender unequal practices within households produce their intended effect.
When obstacles on the path to success are removed for males without regard to the cost for
 female children, male children should benefit while female children must work harder to keep up.
Thus, in households where there is greater gender inequality, male youth should be expected to
report fewer mental health problems. For female youth, living in a household with higher levels of
gender inequality should be associated with greater mental health problems.

Finally, stress process recognizes that stressors arise when male and female youth engage in
behavior that is inconsistent with the expectations for their gender. For example, when male youth
engage in domestic chores within the home, they are performing activities that are coded as
feminine. In a society that clearly demarcates differences between the sexes, youth whose
conduct is inconsistent with one’s gender are at risk for social sanctions Thus; it is likely that
performing sex-atypical tasks will be associated with greater mental health problems.

5. Concept of MISSING WOMEN in India and the role of Indian Government towards Women
Empowerment

The term "missing women" indicates a shortfall in the number of women relative to the expected
number of women in a region or country. It is most often measured through male-to-female sex
ratios, and is theorized to be caused by sex-selective abortions, female infanticide, and
inadequate healthcare and nutrition for female children.

There are principally two ways to examine the impact of gender bias immortality. One is to
compare actual age and sex-septic mortality rates with ‘expected’’ rates that we would obtain,
given equal treatment of both sexes. If actual female mortality rates exceed expected rates, one
may speak of ‘‘excess female mortality.’’

The second method, which was developed is to compare the actual population sex ratio (the
number of males divided by the number of females in the most recent census) with an ‘‘expected’’
population sex ratio that we would obtain given equal treatment of the sexes in the distribution of
survival-related goods. If the actual ratio exceeds the expected, the additional females that would
have to be alive in order to equate the actual with the expected sex ratios, would then be the
number of ‘‘missing women’’ at that point in time.

Women empowerment in India

 The principle of gender equality is enshrined in the Indian Constitution in its Preamble,
Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties and Directive Principles. The Constitution not only
grants equality to women, but also empowers the State to adopt measures of positive
discrimination in favor of women.

 India has also ratified various international conventions and human rights instruments
committing to secure equal rights of women. Key among them is the ratification of the Convention
on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 1993.

 The Government of India attempted to gender sensitise the Budget initially through the Women’s
Component Plan (by state governments also) and then more intensively with Gender Responsive
Budgeting institutionalized through the Gender Budget Statement published every year since
2005 ‐ 2006 with the Union Budget (in some states as well). This highlights the budgetary
allocations for 100 percent women specific programmes (Part A) and those programmes in which
at least 30 percent flows to women (Part B) in the annual expenditure budget.
 The women’s movement and a wide-spread network of non-Government Organizations which
have strong grass-roots presence and deep insight into women’s concerns have contributed in
inspiring initiatives for the empowerment of women.

6. Causes and Control measures of Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence against Women

The most common causes for women stalking and battering include dissatisfaction with the
dowry and exploiting women for more of it, arguing with the partner, refusing to have sex with
him, neglecting children, going out of home without telling the partner, not cooking properly or on
time, indulging in extra marital affairs, not looking after in-laws etc. In some cases infertility in
females also leads to their assault by the family members. The greed for dowry, desire for a male
child and alcoholism of the spouse are major factors of domestic violence against women in rural
areas. There have been gruesome reports of young bride being burnt alive or subjected to
continuous harassment for not bringing home the amount of demanded dowry. Women in India
also admit to hitting or beating because of their suspicion about the husband’s sexual
involvement with other women. The Tandoor Murder Case of Naina Sahni in New Delhi in the year
1995 is one such dreadful incident of a woman being killed and then burnt in a Tandoor by his
husband. This incidence was an outcome of suspicion of extra marital affairs of Naina Sahni
which led to marital discord and domes

In urban areas there are many more factors which lead to differences in the beginning and later
take the shape of domestic violence. These include – more income of a working woman than her
partner, her absence in the house till late night, abusing and neglecting in-laws, being more
forward socially etc. Working women are quite often subjected to assaults and coercion sex by
employees of the organization. At times, it could be voluntary for a better pay and designation in
the office. tic violence against her.

The Government of India passed a Domestic Violence Bill, 2001, “To protect the rights of women
who are victims of violence of any kind occurring within the family and to provide for matters
connected therewith or incidental thereto

An act called Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 [DVA, 2005] also has been
passed”. This Act ensures the reporting of cases of domestic violence against women to a
‘Protection Officer’ who then prepares a Domestic Incident Report to the Magistrate “and forward
copies thereof to the police officer in charge of the police station within the local limits of
jurisdiction.

Unfortunately, at present there is no single law in the Indian Constitution which can strictly deal
With all the different forms of ‘Domestic Violence’ as discussed in this essay. There is an urgent
need for such a law in the country. In fact, there has also been misuse of section 498-A and DVA-
2005 because of restricted definition of cruelty subjected to married women.
6. Eve Teasing
Streets, Bus Stands, Railway Stations, Parks and other public places should be for everyone to
access and enjoy. Yet for many women they are the scenes of harassment. Everyday women face
systematic assault on their fundamental right to free movement and personal dignity..

The problem
As girl walks down the street, a group of men makes comments about her face and figure--"Hey,
what a figure!" She walks on without comment annoyed at the intrusion. Then the comments get
nasty.

Girl is standing in a queue for a bus. Suddenly she feels a hand grab at her breast. She looks
around but isn't sure who did it. She feels violated and too stunned to say anything.

Girl notices a man following her on the way home from work. He stays quite a distance back but is
there day after day. One day he comes closer and calls out. She is afraid and changes her route
and travel time to avoid him.

This is a myth. Several studies done around the world show that women of all ages and wearing
all kinds of clothes are vulnerable to harassment. A study done by NIPPCID for Delhi Police
showed that 82% of the women who were part of the survey were wearing every day, non-
provocative clothes when they were harassed (salwar kameez, trouser –top, saree)

If you are in a bus the driver & conductor can be approached for complaints. As per law they
should assist the victim by accompanying them to the nearest police station.

Carrying with you safety pins and learning self defense techniques can be helpful.
If you are being harassed regularly it is better if you inform the same to your parents/friends.

It can be therapeutic and supportive. Many women face this problem and understand what you are
experiencing

What men can do to stop harassment? 

Don't do it yourself. Learn about the problem so that you become more sensitive to what might
offend others.

Don't cooperate with groups of men who harass. Act to frustrate or oppose harassment. Don't
cooperate with harassment. Refuse to join in.

At a suitable occasion, raise issues about sexual harassment. Show your opposition strongly

If you notice a situation where a woman seems to be being harassed, you may be able to help her
If someone is badgering her, you could go over and ask "Is someone bothering you?" If a woman
in a crowd shouts out about being pawed, you might be able to voice a supportive comment to the
crowd, such as "Whoever did that, it's not welcome."
7. Caste Discrimination in India and control

Though the caste system initially performed its positive functions well, in course of time it

became degenerated and instead of doing social good it caused a great harm to the society. Some

of the ill effects of caste system in India are as follows

1. It hindered national unity:

The caste system made the people unduly conscious of their own castes. Many a time caste

interests were given priority over national interest. Thus the whole system stood against the very

concept of national unity.

2. It stood against democracy:

The caste system ran contrary to the democratic spirit. Democracy tells about human equality, but

the caste system believed in inequality wherein the Brahmins were at the top, whereas the Sudras

were at the lowest rung of the ladder.

3. It resulted in suppression:

In the caste system the lower castes were suppressed and repressed by the higher castes. The

Sudras were very ill-treated and they were not allowed to come to the public places. Even their

shadows were considered profane by the higher caste people. Inter-dining and inter-mixing with

the lower castes was not allowed. Thus the system was solely based on exploitation of the lower

castes.

4. It hampered national development:

Under the caste system only a few got the scope to control the national life and the others were

engaged in serving the higher castes.

5. It resulted in religious conversion:

The dominance of Brahminism became intolerable on the part of the Sudras, who were the most

neglected people in the Hindu society. They were easily allured by the ideology and philosophy of

Islam as well as Christianity. Many of them embraced the new faiths. In this way the caste system

contributed to the expansion of Christianity and Islam in India.

6. It undermined the ability and aspirations of the people:

Since in the caste system one’s status and role are fixed up from the time of one’s birth, one’s

ability, personal endeavor or diligence became meaningless in order to bring about any

transformation.

8. It created a false sense of prestige among higher castes:

The higher castes believed that they had the monopoly of wisdom. They felt that all other castes

should consult them and work for them. This created a wide gulf between the higher and the lower

castes.

9. It resulted in the introduction of untouchability:

The worst aspect of the caste system was untouchability. The untouchable suffered from various

social, economic, political and religious disabilities. In the name of religion, they were thoroughly

exploited in the most inhuman manner. The lower castes were placed in the category of

untouchables. Their children were never allowed to be educated and they were compelled to take

unclean occupation.

11. It gave a lower status to women:

In the caste system, the women were utterly neglected. They were denied the privilege of higher

education. They could not voice their opinion in public affairs.

Caste system in India can be controlled by

1. Make inequality a political campaign issue: despite being important to the electorate, inequality
is absent from major political campaigns.

2. Introduce land reforms and raise taxation for the wealthy: We should work towards reducing
asset inequality through redistributive land reforms but also through inheritance taxes, preventing
monopoly of control over water, forests and mineral resources and reducing financial
concentration.

3. Give a voice to oppressed groups: We can tackle bias against caste and gender first of all by
recognizing the value and dignity of all work (including unpaid work) and all workers (including
those in the most difficult arduous and degraded occupations).
4. Improve the balance of mass media: The media in India plays a role in sustaining
inequality. This is becoming an urgent problem. We must take measures to reduce corporate
takeover and manipulation of mass media.

5. Eliminate caste discrimination: Caste discrimination is still all pervasive. Discrimination based

on caste status is a root cause of the high poverty levels that caste-affected people experience.

6. Harness the power of technology:  Policymakers should focus on making technology cheaper
and deepening its penetration.

7. Widen access to quality basic services: A two-tier system has been created, with largely
privatized quality education and health care for those who can pay, and a large population left to
fend for themselves with very poor quality public services.

8. Make women more visible in public life and institutions: It is shocking to see that in India
women make up only 5% of the total police force, just two out of 24 supreme court judges and as
we are going through polls right now, only 11% of the last parliament are women.

9. Ensure that India's growth is for the benefit of the many, not the few: India is a place of
increasingly stark extremes in wealth. In the same India where millions use smartphones, millions
live in poverty. Within India, there are many different countries.

10. Make development inclusive of those with disabilities: As far as India is concerned, we might
score very highly in terms of growth of physical infrastructure, but most of the public places are
inaccessible to people with disabilities. As per the 2011 census, India has about 2.7 million people
with disabilities, and only a handful of those enjoy education and/or employment.

11. Ensure that all groups and communities can express their voice without fear

8. Nirbhaya Act 2013

The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 (Nirbhaya Act) is an Indian legislation passed by the Lok
Sabha on 19 March 2013, and by the Rajya Sabha on 21 March 2013.

On 16 December 2012 a female physiotherapy intern was beaten and gang raped in Delhi. She died

from her injuries thirteen days later, despite receiving treatment in India and Singapore. The
incident generated international coverage and was condemned by the United Nations Entity for
Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, who called on the Government of India and the
Government of Delhi "to do everything in their power to take up radical reforms, ensure justice
and reach out with robust public services to make women’s lives more safe and secure" Public
protests took place in Delhi, where thousands of protesters clashed with security forces. Similar
protests took place in major cities throughout the country.

Six days after the incident, on 22 December 2012, the central government appointed a judicial
committee headed by J. S. Verma, a former Judge of Supreme Court, to suggest amendments to
criminal law to sternly deal with sexual assault cases. The committee, which also included retired
judge Leila Seth and leading advocate Gopal Subramanian, was given a month to submit its
report. The Committee submitted its report within 29 days, on 23 January 2013, supposedly after
considering the 80,000 suggestions and petitions received by them during that same period from
the public in general and particularly from jurists, lawyers, NGOs and women’s groups. 

The Cabinet Ministers on 1 February 2013 approved for bringing an ordinance.

Section Offence Punishment

Imprisonment not less than ten years but which may extend to
326A Acid attack imprisonment for life and with fine which shall be just and reasonable
to meet the medical expenses and it shall be paid to the victim

Attempt to Imprisonment not less than five years but which may extend to seven
326B
Acid attack years, and shall also be liable to fine

Sexual Rigorous imprisonment up to three years, or with fine or both

354A
harassment
Imprisonment up to one year, or with fine, or with both in other cases

9. The Hindu Inheritance Act, 2005

The Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005, an amendment to the Hindu Succession Act,
1956, received the assent from President of India on 5 September 2005 and was given effect
from 9 September 2005. It was essentially meant for removing gender discriminatory
provisions regarding property rights in the Hindu Succession Act, 1956. It was a
revolutionary step in the field of Indian legislation regarding rights of women in India.

Key amendments

Amendment of section 4 of the principal Act

In section 4 of the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, sub- section (2) has been omitted.
Amendment of Section 6 of the principal Act
Section 6 in the principal act has been substituted by the amended provision. The amended
provision under sec.6 of the principal act in essence defines as follows:-

 Daughter shall have the same rights in the coparcenary property as she would have had she
been a son;
 The daughter shall be subject to the same liability in the said coparcenary property as that of a
son;
 The daughter shall be allotted the same share as is allotted to a son;
 The share of the per-deceased son or a per-deceased daughter shall be allotted to the surviving
child of such per-deceased son or of such per-deceased daughter;
 The share of the per-deceased child of a per-deceased son or of a per-deceased daughter shall
be allotted to the child of such per-deceased child of the per-deceased son or a per-deceased
daughter.
Furthermore, after the commencement of the Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005, the pious
obligation of a son, grandson or great-grandson for the recovery of any debt due from his father,
grandfather or great-grandfather under the Hindu law, came to an end
Exception
The amendment, under clause 5 of section 6 provides an exception as follows:
5) Nothing contained in this section shall apply to a partition, which has been effected before the
20th day of December, 2004.
Explanation.- For the purposes of this section "partition" means any partition made by execution of a
deed of partition duly registered under the Registration Act, 1908 or partition effected by a decree of
a court

Key features & effect

The amendment has tremendously balanced the property rights of male and female siblings. In
2008, the Supreme Court ruled that the law has retrospective effect, and for the daughter to become
a co-sharer with her male siblings, the father would have had to be alive on 9 September 2005. The
Supreme Court also ruled that the amendment was applicable to all partition suits filed before 2005
and pending when the amendment was framed. [3]

 This amendment is in consonance with the right of equality as enshrined under Article 14, 15, &
21 of the constitution of India.