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Role of women and women’s organisation

In NEWS: Kolkata rape and murder: When the law fails women

Analyse the challenges faced by working women in India. Give suggestions to improve this milieu. 

Working women in India face a myriad of challenges that hinder their professional growth and well-being. These challenges often stem from societal norms, discriminatory practices, and inadequate support systems.

Challenges faced by working women in India:

1. Gender-Based Discrimination

• The gender pay gap:  Woman are being paid less than a man even when both are performing the same role in a company. International Labour Organisation in 2018- Women in India on an average are paid about 34 per cent less than men 
• Glass ceiling: McKinsey Global Institute report found that only 14% of senior executives in Indian companies are women. This disparity highlights the continued existence of the glass ceiling in India

2. Work-Life Balance Issues

• Societal Expectations: Traditional gender roles often place the burden of domestic responsibilities on women, making it difficult for them to balance work and personal life.
• Lack of Adequate Child Care Facilities: The lack of affordable and accessible childcare facilities can make it challenging for working mothers to continue their careers.
• Women returning to work after career breaks often struggle to reintegrate into the workplace culture, leading to feelings of isolation and anxiety.

3. Safety Concerns

• Sexual Harassment: A study by the National Commission for Women found that a significant number of women face sexual harassment in the workplace.
• Violence Against Women: India has a high rate of violence against women, including sexual assault and domestic violence, which can impact women’s safety and well-being.

4. Lacunae in justice system: 

• Victim-Blaming: A pervasive culture of victim-blaming can discourage women from reporting crimes and hinder the prosecution of offenders.
• Slow Legal Processes: The lengthy legal processes in India can take years to complete. Around two-third of the cases registered in India over sexual harassment of women do not result in convictions. The conviction rate has stagnated below 50 per cent for years, shows data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)
• Lack of Awareness: Many women may not be aware of their legal rights or the procedures for reporting crimes. 
• Stigma and Social Pressure: Women who report crimes against them may face social stigma and pressure from family members or communities to withdraw their complaints
• Lack of Support Services: Inadequate support services for victims of crime, such as counselling and legal aid, can further hinder their ability to seek justice

5. Limitied effectiveness of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (PoSH Act)

• Limited Scope: The Act primarily applies to workplaces with ten or more employees, excluding smaller establishments and informal sectors.
• Inadequate enforcement: Despite the Act’s provisions, enforcement has been inconsistent due to factors such as lack of awareness among employers and employees, insufficient training for Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs), and delays in investigations and disciplinary proceedings.
• Complex Procedures: The complaint process can be complex and time-consuming for victims, which may deter them from reporting harassment.
• Limited Remedies: The Act provides for a range of remedies, including disciplinary action against the perpetrator, but the effectiveness of these remedies can vary.

Suggestive measures:

1. Improve justice system:

• Develop a criminal justice system equipped to investigate and try cases of crimes against women in a fast-track mode. While fast track courts reduce case backlogs and provide timely justice, challenges such as insufficient resources and workload hinders their effectiveness. 
• Graded penal provisions are required depending on the severity of the crime.Lax bail norms should be reevaluated to deter and discourage potential offenders from committing such crimes. 

2. Improve the POSH Act: expand its scope to cover more workplaces, enhance enforcement mechanisms, and create a supportive environment for victims;organisations must conduct more PoSH awareness programmes among employees
3. Policy reforms:

• Enforce equal pay laws and implement measures to address the gender pay gap.
• Provide maternity and paternity leave benefits to encourage gender equality.
• Promote flexible work arrangements, such as remote work and flexible hours. 

4. Societal change:

• Challenge gender stereotypes and promote gender equality in education and upbringing.
• Create awareness about the importance of women’s economic empowerment.
• Encourage men to share household responsibilities and support women’s careers.

5. Workplace initiatives:

• Implement diversity and inclusion policies to promote gender equality in the workplace.
• Provide training and education on gender sensitivity and sexual harassment prevention.
• Establish support systems for women, such as mentorship programs and childcare facilities.

6. Infrastructure development:

• Improve public transportation and infrastructure to ensure women’s safety.
• Invest in affordable childcare facilities to ease the burden on working mothers.

7. Workplace initiatives:

• Implement diversity and inclusion policies to promote gender equality in the workplace.
• Provide training and education on gender sensitivity and sexual harassment prevention.
• Establish support systems for women, such as mentorship programs and childcare facilities.

8. Infrastructure development:

• Improve public transportation and infrastructure to ensure women’s safety.
• Invest in affordable childcare facilities to ease the burden on working mothers.

By addressing these challenges through a combination of policy reforms, societal change, workplace initiatives, and infrastructure development, India can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for working women

Source:https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/kolkata-rape-and-murder-when-the-law-fails-women-9524396/

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