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Women Power in India: Real or Just a Myth?

NEW DELHI (Apr 20, 2005): The rising number of women in the
workforce may seem to indicate that they have finally attained a
high degree of empowerment. But the ground reality is that every
third woman in Mumbai and Delhi feels unsafe, eve-teasing [a
euphemism for sexual harrassment] tops Kolkata's problems, and
sexual and financial discrimination is common in Chennai.

While 97% of women surveyed in Kolkata said they had to deal with
sexual harassment, Hyderabad emerged as the only exception, with the
city's women saying they enjoyed a high level of security, both on
the roads and at work.

These are some of the findings of a study conducted by FICCI Ladies

Organisation (FLO), comparing situations faced by working women in
the five metros of Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Chennai.
The survey's findings also raise the uncomfortable question: if this
is how things are in the so-called enlightened metros, just how bad
is the situation in rural areas?

More than 30% women in Delhi feel the city is unsafe for them. Two
out of every five women rate the public security system as
inefficient. Eve-teasing in the city tops the fear list of a working
woman. Landlords harass women and staying alone is considered risky.
Quality of street lighting is also an area of concern.

Mumbai is considered the most expensive metro and women here worry
about chain-snatching, pick-pocketing and crowds in trains. However,
the city leads in terms of job prospects.

Kolkata women suffer a similar fate, with their main concern being
eve-teasing. However, one positive sign is that women in Kolkata
seem to be in control of the money they earn. More than 70% of those
surveyed said they decided how to spend their income. They also top
the list of working out of personal choice.

The survey revealed Chennai as the lowest on levels of work

satisfaction.

>From safety to work satisfaction, Hyderabad, steals the show on all

fronts. According to the findings of a study conducted by FICCI
Ladies Organisation (FLO) comparing situations faced by working
women in the five metros of Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and
Chennai, the city scores the highest on safety grounds and is
considered the easiest to live in.
As far as work front is concerned, 94% of working women in five
metros stated that there is no discrimination at the work place,
with Delhi scoring the highest.

Despite of the eye-opening statistics regarding 'unsafe' Delhi, the

city is still considered to be ''easy to live in'', because of job
prospects and fixed hours of working.

It is time for the four metro cities to look at Hyderabad and adopt
some good practices which could make these metros a better place for
women. The possible improvements could be upgradation of
infrastructural facilities like street lighting and improved
transport facilities.

Flexibility in work conditions and introduction of practices such as

career- break schemes, flexible work patterns and enhanced maternity
options can make working a pleasure.

The gap between infrastructure facilities and service industry needs

to be filled by offering bridging policies to ensure higher welfare
of women and to avoid exploitation at workplace.

SOURCE: The Times of India: "Women power? Is it for real or just a

myth" by NEHA TYAGI, TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2005
11:37:45 PM ]