Although the Constitution of India grants men and women equal rights, gender disparities remain. Gender discrimination is mostly in favor of men, which affects women from both urban and rural India.

Inequality In Urban India

Gender inequality is a complex issue in urban India, with far-reaching implications. Despite progress in various areas, many women continue to face discrimination and unequal treatment based on their gender. One of the key factors contributing to gender inequality is the persistence of patriarchal attitudes and norms that limit women’s roles and opportunities. Education is a crucial factor in addressing gender inequality. While there has been improvement in girls’ access to education in urban areas, disparities still exist, particularly in higher education and STEM fields. Promoting girls’ education and equal opportunities for skill development empowers them to pursue their aspirations and break traditional gender roles.

In the urban workforce, women often face a gender pay gap, where they are paid less than men for the same work. Moreover, they need to be more represented in leadership positions and decision-making roles. This lack of representation hinders the progress of gender equality and perpetuates a male-dominated work culture. Implementing policies that promote equal pay, gender diversity, and work-life balance will help bridge these gaps.

Though inequality in gender persists in every corner of the world, rural and urban women in India often face distinct challenges and have different social and economic contexts that shape their experiences of feminism.

A fair approach to feminism in India will perceive the challenges through an intersectional lens, recognizing that women’s experiences are shaped not only by their gender but also by factors such as class, caste, religion, and ethnicity. By acknowledging rural and urban women’s diverse experiences and challenges, we work toward a more inclusive and equitable feminist movement in India.

Inequality In Rural India

Gender inequality remains a significant challenge in rural India, impacting the lives of millions of women and girls. Despite progress in some areas, deep-rooted social norms and cultural practices restrict women’s rights and opportunities, perpetuating a cycle of inequality.

One of the main areas where gender inequality is evident is education. In many rural areas, girls still face barriers to accessing education. Early marriage, household responsibilities, and lack of schools nearby are some of the factors that hinder girls’ education. When resources are scarce, families often prioritize boys’ education over girls’, leading to a gender gap in literacy and educational attainment. Promoting girls’ education and providing safe and accessible schooling breaks this cycle and empowers girls with the knowledge and skills to pursue their dreams.

Economic empowerment is another critical aspect of addressing gender inequality. In rural India, women are often engaged in unpaid domestic work and agricultural labor, yet they have limited ownership or control over land and resources. This economic dependence on others leaves them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. By promoting women’s access to resources, financial services, and training in income-generating activities, they can become economically independent and contribute to their families well-being and overall development.

In rural labor markets, women often face lower wages and fewer job opportunities than men. Discrimination and traditional gender roles limit their access to formal employment and decision-making positions. Bridging the gender pay gap and creating opportunities for women in nontraditional sectors enhances their economic empowerment and challenges gender norms.

Gender-based violence is a pressing issue, affecting the physical and mental well-being of women and girls. Domestic violence, child marriage, and dowry-related abuse are prevalent. Limited reporting and social stigma surrounding these issues make it challenging for victims to seek help. Strengthening legal protection, raising awareness about women’s rights, and providing support services helps to combat gender-based violence and create safer communities for women.

In rural local participation, women’s representation needs to be higher. Despite constitutional provisions for women’s political participation, women are often underrepresented in local participation bodies. Increasing women’s leadership roles and encouraging their active participation in decision-making leads to more inclusive and gender-sensitive policies that address the needs and concerns of women and girls.

Addressing gender inequality in rural India requires a multi-dimensional approach. The top rural development NGO in India, S M Sehgal Foundation, has been working to create environments where women and girls are valued and respected by promoting education and economic empowerment in rural India. By empowering women, S M Sehgal Foundation unlocks the potential of women as agents of change who contribute to the overall development and progress of rural communities. Building a society where gender equality is embraced benefits everyone and paves the way for a more just and equitable future.

S M Sehgal Foundation

The Local Participation and Sustainability Program by the best rural development NGO in India helps women in the village become involved in local institutions and community matters. The program encourages women to come together, speak up about their community’s needs and challenges, and work together to solve problems that affect their families and the village. This program encourages women to play an active role in making important decisions for their community and have a say in its development.

Aurangabad District

In places such as Haryana and Maharashtra, the number of women is lower than men. Families often celebrate the birth of a boy more than a girl.

To address this issue, S M Sehgal Foundation started a special program in Aurangabad called “My Daughter My Tree.” They give coconut trees to parents with girls under two years old. The tree is dedicated to the girl child, symbolizing her birth and helping to increase the greenery in the area.

This initiative aims to change people’s thinking toward valuing girls as much as boys, promote gender equality, and protect the environment. The program is being carried out in ten villages in Aurangabad. S M Sehgal Foundation also runs Women’s Leadership Schools in these areas to empower women and build community leaders.

The locals have started understanding the importance of valuing and supporting girl children, laying a foundation to ensure a better future.

The E-Poshan Kendra Project

In June 2021, S M Sehgal Foundation initiated a project in Nuh, Haryana, under a CSR-supported initiative that aims to improve life in the village through activities such as managing water, education, healthcare, and agriculture.

A community building in the village was in terrible condition and being used as a garbage dump, making the area dirty and leading to mosquito breeding, which in turn caused health problems like dengue and malaria. The project team turned this building into an E-Poshan Kendra (E-nutrition Center) as of October 2021. They installed solar panels for a sustainable source of energy.

The E-Poshan Kendra became a place where people, especially women, could learn about good nutrition, balanced diets, and proper sanitation. The center also provided information about essential government services, held training sessions for the women, showed educational films, and shared inspiring stories about sanitation and nutrition. The center also organized vaccination drives for children in the village. The E-Poshan Kendra became a hub for family-centered healthcare, and the women in the community embraced it wholeheartedly.

Leadership At The Community Level

In rural areas, to empower women and boost their confidence, S M Sehgal Foundation works with women farmers. Special programs teach them about water management, life skills, girls’ safety in schools, health awareness, and how women can be involved in village decisions.

It’s important for women to find role models among the women in their villages. When others see their success, they are motivated to take action too. Women are encouraged to start businesses, join self-help groups, and be economically independent.

Elected women leaders in the villages, such as sarpanches and panchayat members, must be involved. Many women leaders need to be more fully engaged and be trained and supported to do their responsibilities well and contribute to the village’s development.

Women in rural areas need more access to technology, which is where rural community radio stations like Alfaz-e Mewat come in. They provide helpful information to women who can hear it in their homes or communities. Using mobile phones and technology boosts women’s confidence and leadership abilities, brings positive changes, and makes women feel proud and confident.

The post How Is Gender Inequality A Different Fight For Women In Urban And Rural Areas appeared first on S M Sehgal Foundation.

Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. In India, achieving this goal has been a longstanding challenge due to deeply ingrained patriarchal attitudes, gender-based violence, and socioeconomic disparities.

Challenges in Achieving Gender Equality

The most significant challenges to achieving gender equality include the prevalence of gender-based violence and the lack of access to education and economic opportunities for women. In many parts of the country, cultural attitudes prioritize boys’ education over girls, resulting in lower enrollment rates for girls. Women’s participation in the formal workforce remains low, with limited access to formal employment opportunities, and gender-based discrimination prevails in the workplace.

The practice of child marriage and early childbearing in some communities limits girls’ educational and economic opportunities, perpetuating the cycle of poverty and gender inequality, which contributes to high maternal mortality rates and other health challenges for women.

The COVID-19 pandemic further aggravated these challenges, with women facing disproportionate impact due to the pandemic’s economic and social fallout. Women’s job losses have been higher than men’s, and the closure of schools led to increased caregiving responsibilities for women, affecting their ability to participate in the workforce and/or pursue education.

Government Initiatives to Promote Gender Equality & Approaches to Empower Women

The Indian government has launched various initiatives and policies to promote gender equality and empower women. Some of the significant initiatives are:

Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (Save the girl child, educate the girl child) is a flagship program launched in 2015 to promote the education of girls and address the issue of female foeticide. The program creates awareness about the importance of girls’ education and empowering them.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is a savings scheme launched in 2015 to promote the financial security of the girl child. The scheme offers tax benefits and a higher interest rate on deposits to encourage parents to save for their daughters’ future.

Mahila E-Haat is an online platform launched in 2016 to promote women’s entrepreneurship and provide a platform for women to showcase their products and services. The platform provides a market for women entrepreneurs to sell their products and services and promote financial independence.

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana is a scheme launched in 2016 to provide clean cooking fuel to women from economically weaker sections thereby improve women’s health. The scheme reduces indoor air pollution caused by the use of traditional cooking fuels, such as wood.

One-Stop Centres (OSCs) is a scheme launched in 2015 to provide support and assistance to women who are victims of violence. OSCs provide a range of services, including medical assistance, legal aid, and counseling.

Maternity Benefit Program is a scheme launched in 2017 to provide financial assistance to pregnant and lactating women. The scheme promotes the health and well-being of women and their children and reduces maternal and child mortality.

Women’s Reservation Bill, proposed by the government, seeks to reserve one-third of the seats in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies for women. The bill will increase women’s political representation and participation in decision-making.

S M Sehgal Foundation & Its Contributions

S M Sehgal Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 1999 by Dr. S M Sehgal, a visionary philanthropist, and entrepreneur, and his wife Edda Sehgal. The foundation vision and mission promote sustainable rural development that respects human dignity, protects the environment, and promotes social justice. The foundation teams and partners work with communities in rural India to build their capacities and help them achieve self-reliance.

The foundation’s programs focus on a range of issues, including Agricultural Development, Water Management, Rural Education in India, Women’s Empowerment, etc. S M Sehgal Foundation promotes sustainable and equitable development, and has made a significant impact in improving the lives of thousands of people in rural communities.

S M Sehgal Foundation promotes gender equality in agriculture in India by providing training and support to women farmers. Women make up a significant proportion of the agricultural workforce in India but often face social and economic barriers that limit their participation and decision-making in farming activities. The foundation’s efforts address these challenges and promote greater gender equality in agriculture.

To achieve this, the foundation has developed several programs that focus on building the capacities of women farmers, promoting their participation in decision-making processes, and increasing their access to resources and services. These programs include Women Farmers Clubs and Women’s Leadership, which provide training and support to women farmers on a range of issues, including organic farming, water management, and livestock rearing.

S M Sehgal Foundation has been improving women’s health in rural areas of India, recognizing that health is a key factor in promoting gender equity and empowerment. Women in rural India face significant challenges in accessing healthcare services, including limited resources, lack of information, and cultural barriers. To address these challenges, the foundation developed several programs that focus on improving women’s access to healthcare services and promoting health and nutrition awareness.

The post Achieving Gender Equality for Sustainable Development Goal 5 in India appeared first on S M Sehgal Foundation.

हाल ही में सामुदायिक रेडियो प्रशिक्षण कार्यक्रम में जाने के मौका मिला. बहुत कुछ सीखा और कईं बातें भूलने के मन भी किया. आखिर ऐसी कौन सी बातें हैं जिन्हें भूलने का मन किया? बात हो रही थी समानता और अधिकारों की और चर्चा हुई की किस तरह आज भी हमारे समाज में औरत का दर्जा पुरुष से नीचे है. हालाँकि यह बात कईं मायनों में बदल रही है, औरतें घर से बाहर निकल रही है, अपनी खुद की पहचान बना रही हैं पर क्या फिर भी क्या जो दिख रहा है वैसा ही हो रहा है? क्या हमारी सोच में कोई बदलाव आया? सारी बातें फिर सवाल बनकर सामने आ खड़ी हुई. रेडियो कार्यक्रम हो या हमारा दैनिक जीवन पित्रसत्तात्मक सोच हमारे दिलों दिमाग में इतनी धस चुकी है कि जाने अनजाने हम अपने कार्यों, ख्यालों और विचारों में इसी का प्रमाण देते हैं.

किसी भी ताकत वाले या सत्ता से जुड़े काम की बात आये तो सबसे पहली तस्वीर जो दिमाग में बनती है वह पुरुष की और जहाँ बात आए सहनशीलता और बेचारेपन की वहां एकाएक महिला आकर खड़ी हो जाती है. किसका बनाया हुआ है यह ढांचा, शायद चूक यह हुई की हमने कभी इसपर सवाल ही नहीं उठाया और साल दर साल, पीड़ी दर पीड़ी यही सोच आगे बढती गई. बड़ी ही तैयारी के साथ हमने इस सोच को सामाजिक नियमों, प्रथाओं, और सांस्कृतिक लोकाचार के रंगीले शब्दों से सजा दिया.

अगर हम किसी बदलाव की कल्पना करते हैं तो उसे सबसे पहले हमसे ही शुरू होना चाहिए. बचपन से बड़े होने तक हम इस लिंग आधारित भेदभाव को सुनते आए हैं और कब यह सुनी सुनाई बातें हमारी भी मानयता बन गयी पता ही नहीं चला, मानो दबे पाव हमारे ज़हन में घर कर लिया हो और हम कब इसे ही सच समझ बैठे पता ही नहीं चला. पर जब सीखने का मौका मिला और गहराई से चीज़ों को जाना तो पता चला की यह सब इस समाज के देन है, इसमें कुदरत का कोई हाथ नहीं. कुदरत ने तो भेद बनाया था पर हम सब उसे भेद भाव बना बैठे. खुद अपने अनुभव से कहूं तो इस भेदभाव पर सवाल उठाने का अब ज्यादा मन इसीलिए भी करता है क्यूंकि मैं एक दो साल की बच्ची की माँ हूँ. मैं नहीं चाहती की जिन मानयताओं के साथ मैं बड़ी हुई, उन्ही के साथ मेरी बेटी भी बड़ी हो. वो न ही अपनी सुरक्षा, अपने फैसले खुद ले सके, बल्कि हर सामाजिक भेदभाव पर सवाल उठाने में सक्षम हो क्यूंकि सवाल उठाने से ही संवाद शुरू होता है और आगे चलकर वही बदलाव की राह बनता है.

समाज हम सभी से है तो क्यूँ ना एक शुरुआत करके देखी जाए. उदहारण के लिए एक दम्पति का पहला लड़का हुआ और उन्होंने चाहा की वो अब और बच्चे नहीं चाहते, उनका यह निर्णय स्वीकार बनस्पत उनके जिनकी बेटी है. क्या एक बेटी के साथ परिवार पूरा नहीं? लड़के रोते नहीं या क्यूँ लड़कियों की तरह रो रहे हो, ऐसी बातें जो हम बचपन से सुनते हैं कहीं न कहीं हमारी सोच का हिस्सा बन जाती हैं और हम इंसानियत को पीछे छोड़ते हुए बस इस सोच के आगे नतमस्तक, इसी को सही ठहराने की कोशिश में कईं रिश्ते नातों को दाव पर लगा देते हैं.

एक न्यायिक समाज की रचना शुरू करने के लिए हम सब की भागीदारी की ज़रुरत है क्यूंकि बराबरी कभी तकलीफ नहीं लाती, लाती है तो सिर्फ सम्मान और सोहार्द. जैसे की कमला भसीन जी कहती हैं ताकत से मोहब्बत मत करो, मोहब्बत की ताकत को समझो. हम सब में जिस दिन प्यार की मर्दानगी आ गयी उस दिन राहें बहुत आसान हो जायेंगी.

The post सोच से समझौता नहीं सवाल करो appeared first on S M Sehgal Foundation.