Perpetuation of gender inequality and intersectionality
Various dimensions of gender inequality, are often observed to be perpetuated by various economic and ideological factors. Economic or material factors of inequality are visible in nature, from employment opportunities to command over property, while ideological factors appear to be hidden, from social perceptions to social norms, which result in such economic visible outcomes. The interaction between these material and ideological factors elucidates the process of inequality creation, and could also form a means of its mitigation.
One major economic factor, i.e., command over property, highlights the perpetuation of gender inequality. Here, property not only refers to private but also public property. There is a wide gap between equal legal rights to own or inherit property and their practice in reality. Moreover, due to the prominence of men in positions of power, controlling public wealth generating properties as well as controlling institutions instrumental in furthering certain interests, the existing inequalities are perpetuated. From large wealth generating corporations to political decision-making bodies like Parliament and judicial institutions, from process of recruitment to such institutions to media houses, educational and religious institutions which influence the ideas of the masses, all perpetuate existing prejudices and stereotypes against women.
Ideological factors such as social perceptions about women’s contributions and needs, their “unskilled” labor, being seen as “supplementary earners”, their household unwaged work being undervalued and invisible along with the undermining of their abilities, expand the nature of gender inequalities. Social norms involving gender roles determining the nature of women’s work (childcare and household work), their behavior (‘good women’ are docile, listen more, avoid decision-making political spaces, etc.), and the like lead to the restriction of freedom of movement (discouraging workforce participation) and perpetuation of inequalities.
Therefore, different kinds of inequalities in the socioeconomic sphere of India, ranging from gender, class, or caste, are interlinked and form unique identities, giving rise to notions of privilege, and an oppressive social system. These inequalities cannot be compartmentalized rigidly. Their origins are distinct but they don’t function independently in reality; the congruence of these inequalities often becomes inevitable.
Massive disparities arise, in aspects of literacy and education, along with the ability to speak English — a language which seems to have become the bearer of privilege. Access to quality school education is low for people on the receiving ends of the inequalities, which further translates to low higher education or employment opportunities. Dalit women for example, face two-fold discrimination on the basis of caste and gender (sometimes three-fold including class), and hardly have opportunities to become educationally and economically empowered.
Thus, the different kinds of inequalities inevitably end up mutually reinforcing each other. The congruence of these inequalities similarly leads to lower access to healthcare and employment, inadequate monetary compensation for labor, lack of political and institutional representation, etc. The social perceptions and norms around underprivileged communities further perpetuate these pre-determined inequalities. Enlightened agency and empowerment of non-privileged communities, such as women, are required to bring about systemic and structural changes in the rigid societal beliefs and mitigate the entrenched inequalities in the socioeconomic sphere of India.
