Gender equality is decided not by the legislative battles we win, but the personal battles we lose. Our laws are as water running through a ruptured tumbler: they fill the tumbler, but only just. The laws serve the means for which we need them but are not the end we require. We do not want a victory which is forever unhappy and turgid, but one which is indefinitely consistent regardless of norms. To improve the status quo, governmental action coupled with a change in mentality must be enacted to win the war in the subliminal self.
The swiftest path to this destination is the betterment of the economic status of women. Fortunately or Unfortunately, financial capabilities define today's spectrum. The better one's rank, the greater one's persona qua political influencer and social influencer. Lamentably, current democracies are host to politicians who are either richly endowed or funded by the wealthy. To fund actual change, the first step must be to enhance the financial position of women.
To do so, we need to open economic opportunities for women. Primarily, society must learn not to discriminate based upon gender archetypes. Male-dominated sectors (generally everything in India) such as menial labour, armed forces and politics must be delved into with societal support. Managerial positions should be gender-diverse not for public ratings, but for meritious purposes.
However, there is a problem. Women are considered more of a showpiece, with dire economic liabilities, with no compunctions attached to their removal from their posts. The main reason for such beliefs is the concept of maternity and the issues attached to it. (Firstly) In India, and most of Asia, women who have children do not work. Argumentatively, this is because such women have no compulsion to work. Untrue. Such women are only found in the urban upper middle classes. Most other women work in the unorganised sectors due to prejudice and discriminatory mindsets adopted by society. Society prevents these women from accessing the entire occupational spectrum, such as in the case of the armed forces. Secondly, corporations are sceptical of women returning to the workforce due to fallible inductive reasoning proving so. They believe that such women will not remain loyally in the company and leave to take care of their children. Thirdly, the concept of maternity leave troubles corporations. This makes women an economic cost to the company. Men, who have far lesser paternity leave (if any) are exempted from taxing the company. This makes men likelier to get employment. Apart from all others, this problem has the easiest solution - make paternity and maternity leave equal. While this may have an economic cost, it reframes the economic problem and allows for a balanced decision.
Change begins from within. In gender equality, we have started the wrong way, forcing others ('infidels') to conform to egalitarian legislation. When (not if) we win over the mindset, the change will be inevitable. The time has arrived to begin convincing the others to realise the truth. The truth which lies within.
"As I glance back at my socially responsible endeavours, I realise that a majority of my social activities have been linked to gender equality. From menstrual awareness to egalitarianism, I have seen the field with its gross iniquities. Gender equality is not a far-off dream unless we make it so." - the author to OneWorld.
The swiftest path to this destination is the betterment of the economic status of women. Fortunately or Unfortunately, financial capabilities define today's spectrum. The better one's rank, the greater one's persona qua political influencer and social influencer. Lamentably, current democracies are host to politicians who are either richly endowed or funded by the wealthy. To fund actual change, the first step must be to enhance the financial position of women.
To do so, we need to open economic opportunities for women. Primarily, society must learn not to discriminate based upon gender archetypes. Male-dominated sectors (generally everything in India) such as menial labour, armed forces and politics must be delved into with societal support. Managerial positions should be gender-diverse not for public ratings, but for meritious purposes.
However, there is a problem. Women are considered more of a showpiece, with dire economic liabilities, with no compunctions attached to their removal from their posts. The main reason for such beliefs is the concept of maternity and the issues attached to it. (Firstly) In India, and most of Asia, women who have children do not work. Argumentatively, this is because such women have no compulsion to work. Untrue. Such women are only found in the urban upper middle classes. Most other women work in the unorganised sectors due to prejudice and discriminatory mindsets adopted by society. Society prevents these women from accessing the entire occupational spectrum, such as in the case of the armed forces. Secondly, corporations are sceptical of women returning to the workforce due to fallible inductive reasoning proving so. They believe that such women will not remain loyally in the company and leave to take care of their children. Thirdly, the concept of maternity leave troubles corporations. This makes women an economic cost to the company. Men, who have far lesser paternity leave (if any) are exempted from taxing the company. This makes men likelier to get employment. Apart from all others, this problem has the easiest solution - make paternity and maternity leave equal. While this may have an economic cost, it reframes the economic problem and allows for a balanced decision.
Change begins from within. In gender equality, we have started the wrong way, forcing others ('infidels') to conform to egalitarian legislation. When (not if) we win over the mindset, the change will be inevitable. The time has arrived to begin convincing the others to realise the truth. The truth which lies within.
"As I glance back at my socially responsible endeavours, I realise that a majority of my social activities have been linked to gender equality. From menstrual awareness to egalitarianism, I have seen the field with its gross iniquities. Gender equality is not a far-off dream unless we make it so." - the author to OneWorld.
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