For the last hundred years, women worldwide have been celebrating their social economic. Cultural and political achievements on 8th March, the International women’s day. Marches and events are held on the day to resist oppression, ‘press for progress’ and to bring awareness for gender equality.
This year’s exultations to hail are women’s Indian and English cricket teams, Carrie Gracie for standing up for equal pay and women dressing in black at Golden globe to show solidarity to protest sexual abuse.
Though, a great deal is accomplished, a road to full parity of equality seems long. It has been a century, since a restricted suffrage was granted to British women following which it took further 10 years` fight to get franchise for all women. Same story prevailed globally. Women all over the world have been incessantly fighting for gender disparity in all fields, especially at work places.
Despite the transparency regarding pay, promotion, bonus and job offers made compulsory recently, women are endlessly discriminated, not only by small employers but surprisingly, also by large corporations. They are also penalized, instead of respected and helped for being pregnant or having young children.
Though girls are racing ahead of their counterparts in professional courses like medicine, dentistry and law, proving attainment of intellectual and academic standard, there are far less women in top jobs than men.
Amongst the top 100 medical consultants, there are only four or five females. Even in parliament women representation is considerable less i.e. there are only 208 female m.ps., compared to 442 male m.ps.
Sport is another area where women were held back because some sports like football, Oxbridge women`s boat race and boxing were considered unsuitable for women and were only approved recently. Furthermore, male athletes get $179million more scholarship than their female counterparts, even the coverage in respect of male sports are significantly more than females.
Combating poverty, illiteracy and educating mind set of people both men and women across the continents, the total parity for both genders can be achieved leading to healthy and happy family and society.
Ila Kapadia
By email
