Gender discrimination is a situation where people are treated differently due to their gender and it is is rampant in Indian society that also worships Goddesses Durga, Laxmi and Saraswati for health, wealth and knowledge. A society that touted just a thousand years ago that

Gods prefer to inhabit the land where women are worshipped.

I tried to end my last post  on a positive note because nothing is to be gained by feeling dejected by the discrimination against women. I just hope that we have reached the depths of indecorous behaviour we could show our girls and women, and now the only way is up.

We, as a society, are responsible for shaping up the personality of each and every individual. If we send forth even one individual who is capable of perpetrating such a bestial act, we have failed. Society cannot be changed in a day but a start has to be made somewhere.

History testifies to the fact that beginnings for great changes are always humble and we also have to start with small, baby steps.

Mostly it’s women of all ages that are the victims and hence they should take the initiative to protect themselves. Self-preservation must always come before all else.

If being part of patriarchal society has its downsides, it has its positives as well. Men are the “breadwinners,” so they cannot be bothered with the mundane chore of bringing up the kids!! That is to be taken care of by the women. And that is where our power to change the society lies.

It cannot be emphasized enough that child is the father of man. If we bring up our children the right way, which is gender neutral, we would have achieved our goal.

In my next post I would try to put down a few things that mothers and other women of a household can do to teach young boys to respect females of all age, race, caste and creed. And young girls to be strong enough to stand against any gender discrimination.

Because whether we like it or not, gender inequality starts at home. Female foeticide is unarguably its worst form, but we must look at how we can ensure gender equality for girls who manage to end up in this world. 

Gender discrimination is a situation where people are treated differently due to their gender. The gender stereotypes of a society define what is appropriate and what is inappropriate behaviour for its members. These stereotypes affect both boys and girls, and they are unable to reach their true potential. But Indian society has grown in such a way that girls are more disadvantaged than the boys since the beginning of their lives.

Some examples of gender discrimination that I can list off the cuff include:

  • More nutritious food for boys
  • Better sleeping space for boys
  • Catcalls and sexual harassment against girls
  • Judging girls be their appearance and boys by their physical strength

We need to collectively mull over what can be done to initiate a change from the most fundamental level – our homes.

Meanwhile, I would appreciate responses from you, my readers, irrespective of your gender, to give width to my perspective on the matter.