- Whatever the talks of extending equal opportunities to both genders on the back of humongous technological advancements defining the present-day existence sadly continue to remain just that, mere talks. It is an everyday occurrence witnessing how women must still struggle to get noticed and seek opportunities at par with their male counterparts. This is despite so much high-pitched propaganda and efforts at ensuring the eradication of gender inequality, disparity, biased handling, and differential treatment. Yes, there is a palpable change visible over the years in the improvements being accorded to women on many fronts, but it is simply not enough in comparison to the opposite gender enjoying certain privileges.
PC: AUTHORSHIP
- This phenomenon is not only restricted to poor and developing countries alone. Even the most advanced and developed countries to are found to be lacking in extending parity to both genders. A sense of entitlement pervades amongst the males prompting aggressive reactions against the females resulting in widespread atrocities, assaults, harassment, rapes, and belligerent behavior. Amidst tales of horror perpetrated against women in general, there is sporadic welcome news, as well as female-only endeavors in various fields, are gaining traction in several societies. Hearteningly, India is not found wanting in encouraging women-only endeavors which are proving to be quite a hit going by the acceptance.
- People in the know would recollect that few of the states have introduced women-only police stations, public transports, and trial courts just to name a few. Such moves have contributed to instilling not only confidence in women to go out and indulge in routine chores but also provided a sense of safety and security whilst undertaking the same. Going a step ahead, the automobile conglomerate Ola has announced recently that its electric scooter factory will be run entirely by women. Its Future Factory plans to employ at least 10,000 women, which would make it the largest all-women factory in the world. The announcement is an entirely heartening move deserving a wide round of applause, no less.
PC: Oneindia Correspondent
- As we are aware, women have been employed in specific labor-intensive industries like garments till now, but they are under-represented in the auto industry as they barely make 12% of the industrial workforce. Of course, there are companies like Kirloskar and Hindustan Unilever Limited that have created all-women plants as well. Nonetheless, India’s already low female labor force participation has declined over the last decade, at all levels of age, income, and education, particularly for rural women. An enormous loss to social and economic upliftment of the society itself. Come to think of it, Indian women with the same work participant rates as men would see a 43% rise in GDP as per Oxfam estimates. More such enterprising announcements should do a world of good to women’s empowerment.
