Mains Focus – 17th April 2025

Question

What are the main factors responsible for gender inequality in India? Discuss the contribution of Savitribai Phule in this regard.

[10 Marks, GS Paper 4, 2020]

Answer

Gender inequality in India refers to the unequal treatment or perceptions of individuals based on their gender. Despite constitutional guarantees of equality, women continue to face systemic discrimination in various spheres of life. This inequality violates ethical principles of justice, fairness, and human dignity.

Main Factors Responsible for Gender Inequality

1. Patriarchal Social Norms:
   Traditional Indian society promotes male dominance and restricts the role of women, leading to unequal power dynamics.

2. Lack of Education and Awareness:
   Limited access to quality education, especially in rural areas, keeps women dependent and unaware of their rights.

3. Economic Disparity:
   Unequal access to employment, wage gaps, and underrepresentation in leadership roles perpetuate economic inequality.

4. Cultural and Religious Practices:
   Practices like dowry, child marriage, and preference for male children reinforce gender bias.

5. Political Underrepresentation:
   Women are underrepresented in political decision-making, limiting their voice in policy formulation.

6. Violence and Safety Issues:
   Gender-based violence and societal tolerance towards such acts discourage female participation in public life.
   

Contribution of Savitribai Phule

Savitribai Phule was a pioneering social reformer and India’s first female teacher, who championed the cause of women’s rights in the 19th century:

• Promoting Female Education:
  Along with her husband Jyotirao Phule, she opened the first school for girls in Pune in 1848, challenging societal taboos.

• Fighting Caste and Gender Discrimination:
  She worked for the upliftment of marginalized communities and emphasized education as a tool for social change.

• Empowering Widows and Victims of Abuse:
  She set up the “Balhatya Pratibandhak Griha” (Home for Prevention of Infanticide) to support widows and unwed mothers.
  

Conclusion

Gender inequality is a deep-rooted ethical issue in India. Savitribai Phule’s efforts laid the foundation for women’s empowerment by challenging entrenched social norms with moral courage, compassion, and a vision for an egalitarian society

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