GENDER DISCRIMINATION AT WORK

PLACE IN INDIA
WHAT IS GENDER DISCRIMINATION?

A BRIEF HISTORY ON GENDER DISCRIMINATION:

GENDER DISCRIMINATION AT WORK PLACE:

There are different forms in which gender discrimination at work place is prevalent. Some of the
indentified ones are:

 Gender pay gap: unequal pay between both genders.

 Gender discrimination at entry level: obstacles experienced by women during job
recruitment.
 Women are not allowed to progress even if they are talented to: they are kept at the entry
level jobs by the employers.
 The most severe form in which this discrimination occurs is sexual harassment:
performing activities and favors which are sexual in nature to other employees and
employer in return for job, promotion, etc.

These forms are explained in more detail in the next paragraphs.

REASONS FOR GENDER DISCRIMINATION:

Researches have been conducted throughout the world in order to deal with this phenomenon.

SOME OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF DISCRIMINATION:

GLASS CEILING:

This is a frequent term that has been used for the past three decades to describe the
discrimination that is faced by women. The term “glass ceiling” refers to the invisible barriers
that prevent or limit women from achieving top level positions in the workplaces. These barriers
can be regarding- culture, psychological factors, stereotypes, sociological, etc. As a result of
these barriers women are not able to progress to more powerful positions of management.

SOME OF THE COMMON REASONS FOR GLASS CEILING:

The most valid reason for these so called barriers is that men are not used to see women in more
powerful positions. A similar reason is that women are not used to so high levels of powers and
are expected to make mistakes at those levels. Even from the ancient times men used to be the
rulers. That typical stereotype of women still prevails in the minds of men. Another main reason
is education gap, this was valid in the 70’s and 80’s but now this is not a valid reason as people
have become aware and the education gap between sexes is narrowing.

LAWS GOVERNING THE RIGHTS OF WORKERS TO BE PROTECTED AGAINST

GENDER DISCRIMINATION:

India is a secular country which stands by the rights of its citizens. People of different religions
and race live in India. Indian constitution clearly states that discrimination of any sort is not
permitted in India. It is written in the constitution “the state shall not discriminate against any
citizen on grounds only of religion, race, sex, place of birth or any of them”.

The country has realized that the chief reason for gender discrimination is that women are not
used to all the power that individuals enjoy at the chief positions. The country has started
promoting women towards high positions in the society.

On March 9, 2010 the Rajya Sabha of India passed a very important bill which promised power
for the women of India. The bill was called “Women’s Reservation Bill” and it stood for
reservation of women to 33% in the parliament and state legislative bodies.

The equal Remuneration act of 1976

Maternity benefit act of 1961

SOME STATISTICS:

Women at workplace worldwide:

Women at workplace in India:

RECOMMENDATIONS:

The world has started to recognize the phenomenon of gender discrimination at work place as a
global issue. The only way to check this is by changing the thinking of the people. Some of the
ways in which this can be done are as follows.

 There are various errors in the education system of India which clearly develop a
stereotype of women in the minds of children. As an example a junior class student is
taught in his books “father goes out on work and women stays at home to take care of
 babies.” Another example is “Ravi accompanies his father to shop and his sister stays at
home to help her mother while cooking”. Such type of phrases should be checked.
 More women should be encouraged to work at top level positions; this might serve as an
inspiration for the younger generations. Even now, younger women look up to women
like Ms. Kalpana Chawla and Mrs. Kiran Bedi as inspirations. The status of women has
shown a great increase in recent times. The most powerful position in India; the president
is now managed by a women.

Conclusion:

References: