Levelling the playing field

THE SECOND EDITION OF

As gender inequality continues to be the most persistent and widespread form of injustice in India, eliminating it will require cooperation from civilians and conglomerates alike. Contributing to the cause, Tata Trust recently organised the second edition of The Force Beyond an effort to catalyse the momentum behind gender parity. The event comprised a day-long activity based on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

“Education is definitely one of the greatest levellers of our times. Globally, the development discourse has probably tended to focus more on lifting people out of poverty — which is necessary — but the challenge of lifting people out of illiteracy is just as important and the rewards are as enduring,” said Eric Falt, Director and UNESCO representative in India, who opined that it is important that everyone contributes to the cause. “We must stand up together against all forms of gender discrimination. Women and men must enjoy equal opportunities, choices, capabilities, power and knowledge as equal citizens. Equipping girls and boys, women and men with the knowledge, values, attitudes and skills to tackle gender equality will be essential to build a sustainable future for all of us,” he added.

According to the UN report Goal 5: Gender Equality, the gender pay gap cost the global economy $160 trillion - a cause for concern and immediate corrective action. With inspiring stories, compelling dialogues, and debates, the event intended to spark a conversation that can bring society a step closer to a world that includes women’s full and effective participation.

During the debate over the idea of the present time as the best time to be a woman, some women asserted that it is the best time to be a woman while others explained that although women have come a long way towards achieving equality, they are still far away from achieving the desired goals. “This is not the best time to be a woman, neither this is the best time to be a mother (referring to Nirbhaya’s mother Asha Devi). Women are living under the fear and the sense of insecurity. We all need to work together and collectively to change the situation,” said Ranjana Kumari, Director; Centre for Social Research and Chairperson of Women Power Connect.

Along with changing the gender paradigm in the hinterland through economic empowerment, the experts also discussed how economic empowerment has given a voice to women as it enables them to become a decision-maker. “We need to start saying that economic empowerment is not only equal participation in the economy, but it has multiple dimensions in it and we need to say over and beyond,” said Nidhi Bansal, Senior Director, Program Operations-Quality and Learning. She also emphasised the idea of acknowledging women’s contribution of their expertise and knowledge. “It is the process where we can acknowledge the knowledge they bring with their expertise and how they benefit,” said the director, adding that at the ground level, many women are not able to stand up against domestic violence due to the lack of economic independence.

In the concluding session, the panel — comprising Additional Director General of Police, Madhya Pradesh Anuradha

Shankar; retired Supreme Court judge B.N. Srikrishna; Former DGP of Maharashtra D. Sivanandan; and Renu Mishra, Executive Director of the Association for Advocacy and Legal Initiatives (AALI) — raised concerns about the Indian justice system and whether gender equality has been in focus over the years. While there have been efforts to bring equal representation in the justice system, the experts believe that it is only when we bring about a change in the mindset of the society will we be able to achieve equal representation.

“Gender bias is strongly visible in this particular domain as the belief remains that this is a maledominated profession. There is a need of basic infrastructure in place for women in the police and judiciary systems in addition to gender sensitisation programmes on a larger scale,” said Sivanandan in summation.

We must stand up together against all forms of gender discrimination. Women and men must enjoy equal opportunities, choices, capabilities, power and knowledge as equal citizens.”

— Eric Falt, Director and UNESCO Representative