Recently, the World Economic Forum has released its annual report on ‘Global Gender Gap’. The report reveals the gap between men and women across four areas: education, health, economy and politics and its progressive outcomes in relative terms. Much advancement has been made in certain areas. Some countries have achieved parity with regard to education. No country has closed the gap entirely. Many countries are on the task in the areas of education and health. In respect of economic equality and representation in the political power, the distance to be travelled remains very long.
India’s performances in these areas are poor except the symbolic ascendance of Indira Gandhi and Pratibha Patil to the governing responsibility at the helm of the State. The progress under health appears to have slowed down. In respect of economic equality, the battle is won relatively in ensuring women equal pay and opportunities. Still the social values and prejudice regarding women have to be dismantled through the changing the consciousness of the society and mobilising the public opinion in favour of women welfare. It is high time, Women Reservation Bill has to be passed in the legislature with due provisions for the representation of women, belonging to the suppressed sections viz. Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes. Both the working conditions and service conditions of women must be improved. The extension of maternity leave both in span and space, covering all the organised sectors is noteworthy progress. In order to be helpful to women for child care during the maternity period, the men must also be granted paternity leave. Women have to serve both at office and after office hours at home. This is the transitional period of shouldering the burden when more of women prefer to get deployed in various jobs. The mind-set of the respective male partner must change in sharing the domestic responsibility with the office going women. Better working environment must be provided like flexi-work option, child care support and creches etc. Initiatives must be taken wholeheartedly since they are meant for the welfare and wellbeing of one half of the human population. The discrimination and welfare denied section for many centuries must be liberated with genuine concern which would civilize the humankind further.
