GENDER DISCRIMINATION

Nature has always maintained a balance in the objects of this world in order garnish it with a beauty, and so it produced a balancing factor for each and every object. These balancing factors vary in the proportion of the support they provide to their counter part. In the same context men & women are considered as the supporting counterpart for each other, but the major conflict in this systematic support is the term gender discrimination. Gender discrimination is often based on gender stereotypes of a particular society, i.e. considering men physically strong and women as emotionally sensitive. It is because of the fact that the term gender is often conflicted with the term sex. Both the terms are used as synonyms of each other in normal context, but theres a technical difference between the both. Sex is a biological differentiation of individuals, categorizing them as males and females, this difference of individuals is same in all the cultures, while gender is a social differentiation of individuals which categorizes them as masculine and feminine. No other issue is as contentious and well-debated in the politics of contemporary societies as the question of gender and politics. Women activists all over the world have begun to question political inequality among the sexes. They have raised fundamental questions about the essence of male-dominated democratic system in which women find themselves formally or informally excluded from political power. In recent decades, they have focused on the vital issues of empowerment, rights, social and political equality and discrimination in its all forms. The feminist movement even in a male dominated, socially conservative society like Pakistan has brought into sharp focus more or less the same issues about the social status of the women and their inadequate representation in the political power and participation in politics. "When you grow up, you can be whatever you want to be." Little girls in the United States hear this all the time, from their mothers to teachers to "Sesame Street" characters. Almost everywhere they go, they are encouraged to believe that girls can be just as smart, athletic, and successful as boys. Even the pictures of spunky women on magazine covers at the checkout stand tell them that when you're a girl, anything is possible. But for little girls in developing countries, the message is just the opposite. From the day they are born, they are constantly reminded of the things they are not allowed to do.

Gender discrimination in its originality is a phenomenon, by which the role of individuals is determined with in a particular society. Gender Discrimination allows the distribution of the social responsibilities among the members of the society in such an effective manner that one can fulfill his/ her responsibilities by using his/ her physical and mental capabilities at optimum. The conflict of gender discrimination arises when only physical part of ones strengths is considered and the mental part is neglected. As a result of such half considered phenomenon, individuals are categorized as strong and weak, emotionally strong and emotionally sensitive, competent and incompetent, leaders and followers etc. In this case the gender discrimination doesnt remain in its totality or originality and is considered as a factor deteriorating the process of development of human skills. The major determinants of gender discrimination include the social setup, culture, religion, geographical conditions, economic setup, moral standards and education level of the society. All these factors individually or in combination make up the face of gender discrimination. But the conflict of gender discrimination is divergent in nature as it originates from a single point with different angles. And that point of diversion is Male Chauvinism. The term male chauvinism is a prejudiced belief of an individual or a group of individuals that men are the superior to the women. The male chauvinism doesnt stop on biased categorization of the society in two groups but furthers the glorify one as more privileged one and another one, merely less privileged. Further more the privileges for one group are decided in accordance with their physical strengths, not the mental capabilities. Girls: Household Servants When a boy is born in most developing countries, friends and relatives exclaim congratulations. A son means insurance. He will inherit his father's property and get a job to help support the family. When a girl is born, the reaction is very different. Some women weep when they find out their baby is a girl because, to them, a daughter is just another expense. Her place is in the home, not in the world of men. In some parts of India, it's traditional to greet a family with a newborn girl by saying, "The servant of your household has been born." A girl can't help but feel inferior when everything around her tells her that she is worth less than a boy. Her identity is forged as soon as her family and society limit her opportunities and declare her to be second-rate. A combination of extreme poverty and deep biases against women creates a remorseless cycle of discrimination that keeps girls in developing countries from living up to their full potential. It also leaves them vulnerable to severe physical and emotional abuse. These "servants of the household" come to accept that life will never be any different.

Greatest Obstacles Affecting Girls Discrimination against girls and women in the developing world is a devastating reality. It results in millions of individual tragedies, which add up to lost potential for entire countries. Studies show there is a direct link between a country's attitude toward women and its progress socially and economically. The status of women is central to the health of a society. If one part suffers, so does the whole. Tragically, female children are most defenseless against the trauma of gender discrimination. The following obstacles are stark examples of what girls worldwide face. But the good news is that new generations of girls represent the most promising source of change for womenand menin the developing world today. Neglect The developing world is full of poverty-stricken families who see their daughters as an economic predicament. That attitude has resulted in the widespread neglect of baby girls in Africa, Asia, and South America. In many communities, it's a regular practice to breastfeed girls for a shorter time than boys so that women can try to get pregnant again with a boy as soon as possible. As a result, girls miss out on life-giving nutrition during a crucial window of their development, which stunts their growth and weakens their resistance to disease. Statistics show that the neglect continues as they grow up. Young girls receive less food, healthcare and fewer vaccinations overall than boys. Not much changes as they become women. Tradition calls for women to eat last, often reduced to picking over the leftovers from the men and boys.

Gender Discrimination at work place Have you been at the receiving end of lecherous looks or snide comments at the workplace? If yes, then you should know that gender discrimination is not an issue, which you can ignore or bear silently. People should realize that gender discrimination at workplace is a serious form of employment discrimination, which should not be dismissed. Gender based discrimination is defined as adverse action or differential treatment against a person that would not have occurred if the person had been of another sex. It can be the men, women and also transgender individuals in the society, who face gender discrimination. Gender discrimination is considered as a serious form of prejudice and is illegal in certain circumstances in most of the countries around the world.

Types of Gender Discrimination at Workplace: There are several ways in which gender discrimination takes place at work. Here are the four ways in which gender discrimination can take place: Direct discrimination: At times there are instances where people treat you differently at workplace. Direct discrimination includes acts like difference in salary based on gender although both are doing the same job, or promoting someone because they are single instead of an equally qualified person. Indirect discrimination: Instances where people are indirectly discriminated against include examples where a certain set of rules or laws are made which indirectly imply that people of a certain gender cannot qualify those laws or rules. Harassment at work: This type of discrimination is perhaps the worst of the lot since it not only discriminates but causes emotional as well as psychological trauma for the employee who is discriminated against. Sexual or verbal harassment or inferior treatment owing to gender is included under this category. Victimization: Unfair or biased treatment based on the employees gender translates into victimization at work. This is also a form of employee discrimination based on gender. Reasons of gender discrimination against womens As we know that in business world the ratio of hiring men at work is more as compare to women, so here are some most considerable reasons of gender discrimination against women employees. Job advertisements deny women a chance to apply for a job The employer refuses to hire women who have children, while hiring men with children Female employees are asked to resign when they get married, but there is no similar requirement for males The employer extends benefit plans to the male employee's spouse, but refuses to extend the same or similar benefits to spouses of female employees Qualified female employees are denied certain jobs without a reasonable opportunity to demonstrate their ability to perform those jobs, which are labeled as mens domains The employer refuses to hire, train, assign jobs, or promote pregnant or married women, or women of childbearing age, on the basis of gender The employer makes a separate policy of compulsory retirement for female employees, with a lower retirement age than for male employees.

Effects of discrimination in the workplace Discrimination in the workplace affects businesses because if it seems like an individual or company supports discriminatory policies it can hurt a company's reputation. Your business is limited when it restricts advancement to certain groups or types of employees. In December, 2005, a Gallup poll showed that job satisfaction was lowest when employees experienced discrimination. There is also a direct correlation between loyalty, retention, and discrimination. Employees are more likely to be looking for jobs when they feel they have been wronged. According to a report on discrimination at the workplace by International Labor Organization (ILO), "workplace discrimination remains a persistent global problem, with new, more subtle forms emerging. Sending wrong signals to potential clients can also cause conflicts because customers can sense when employees aren't enthusiastic or don't believe in their company. It is the job applicant's responsibility to observe the attitudes of people they are going to work with. Speaking negatively about a former employee can be damaging for a potential client. If you send positive signals to the employee, the Inequalities discriminated groups are spreading. Due to affirmative action policies, a new middle class has been created that consists of formerly discriminated people in some countries. People who are discriminated groups frequently involved in the worst jobs, denied benefits, social protection, training, capital, land, or credit. The failure of not removing discrimination at a workplace can lead to poverty. "Discrimination creates a web of poverty, forced and child labor and social exclusion, (adding eliminating discrimination is indispensable to any strategy for poverty reduction and sustainable economic development)." "ILO: Workplace Discrimination. No discrimination in the workplace helps everyone's self-esteem and morale because there is more fairness and justice. Productivity increases because people are more motivated. It can attract potential employees. Bitter Reality A recent survey of the Chinese workplace suggests that one fourth of all female job applicants are rejected due to gender discrimination. It is difficult to take any action, however, because existing legislation lacks specific rules against gender discrimination in the hiring process, so if victims choose to sue they cannot point to specific evidence of the law being violated. The Research Report on the Gender Discrimination in Chinas Workplace, released by the Center for Womens Law and Legal Services of Peking University, confirms once again the consensus shared by previous research: gender discrimination commonly exists in Chinas job market. All the research reports have been based on the personal statements of female job applicants,

many of whom felt angry and humiliated at being unfairly treated. However, there were no reports of any seeking legal redress for this discrimination. Its not because women dont know how to protect their own rights, but because they have no laws to refer to. The Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Women, the Labor Contract Law and the Employment Promotion Act were successively amended or established in recent years, but there are only a few general articles that prohibit gender discrimination, and no specific laws to regulate the hiring process. In this case, although women are discriminated against, they cannot present evidence, so they have no power to protect their rights. Since the marital status and childbearing plans of job applicants have nothing to do with their abilities, rules could be made to prohibit employers from asking applicants about these subjects. Otherwise employers could be proved in violation of the applicants privacy. Conclusion Finally Id conclude that, gender discrimination in its originality is not a curse. Nature has structured individuals in different physical proportions, but mental capabilities are kept same for both men and women. And social responsibilities dont only require physical strength but mental strength as well. So the distribution of responsibilities should not be based only on physical potentials, it brings conflicts. And these conflicts can only be resolved by filling the missing part of mental capabilities, and maintaining a balance between the distribution of responsibilities on the basis of equality and equity.

BIBILIOGRAPHY
http://sachet.org.pk/home/resources/research_material/research_gender_01.asp http://www.childreninneed.com/magazine/gender.html http://www.tajzia.com/articles/2/1/Gender-Discrimination.html http://ezinearticles.com/?Gender-Discrimination-in-Pakistan&id=944016 http://www.psychologyhelp.com/work145.htm