Chapter 5 WOMEN CHANGE THE WORLD

Growing Up In Samoa In The 1920s

In 1920s Samoa, children learned practical skills from older children and adults rather than attending formal schools. Both boys and girls cared for younger siblings. By age nine, boys engaged in outdoor activities like fishing and coconut planting, while girls continued with childcare and errands until their teenage years. Teenagers, especially girls, gained more freedom to participate in fishing, plantation work, and crafts like basket weaving. Cooking was primarily done by boys, with girls assisting in preparations.

Growing Up Male In Madhya Pradesh In The 1960s

In Madhya Pradesh during the 1960s, boys and girls attended separate schools with distinct environments. Girls' schools had secluded courtyards for safety, while boys' schools had open playgrounds. Girls typically returned home directly after school, often in groups due to concerns about harassment, while boys used streets for leisure and recreation. This divergence in experiences reflects societal norms that create different expectations and perceived safety levels for boys and girls from a young age.

Work And Equality

Valuing Housework

Societies often devalue housework and caregiving tasks, which are primarily performed by women. This work is frequently considered unpaid and is often assumed to be a natural inclination for women, rather than a skilled or demanding job. The example of Harmeet's family, who did not consider his mother's housework as "real work," illustrates this societal bias. This devaluation contributes to the unequal status of women.

Lives Of Domestic Workers

Domestic workers, predominantly women, perform essential but often undervalued tasks like cleaning, cooking, and childcare. They typically work long hours for low wages and may face disrespect from employers. Melani, a domestic worker, shares her experience of harsh treatment, inadequate food, and lack of dignity, highlighting the difficult conditions faced by many in this profession.

Women’s Work And Equality

Societal stereotypes about gender roles can limit women's opportunities in education and careers. For instance, girls might be discouraged from pursuing technical fields like engineering due to the belief that they are not suited for such work. These stereotypes, often reinforced from childhood, can lead to women taking on a "double burden" of both paid employment outside the home and unpaid domestic work. The government acknowledges this imbalance and has implemented measures like angwanwadis and mandatory crèche facilities to support women's participation in the workforce and education. However, challenges like poverty, inadequate schooling facilities, and discrimination still affect girls' access to education, particularly those from marginalized communities.

Breaking Stereotypes

Stereotypes about gender roles shape expectations from a young age, influencing toy choices, subject selections, and career aspirations. Boys are often pressured to pursue high-paying jobs and exhibit toughness, while girls may be steered towards nurturing roles or discouraged from technical fields. Laxmi Lakra, the first woman engine driver for Northern Railways, exemplifies breaking such stereotypes by pursuing a challenging career that defied societal expectations for girls.

Learning For Change

Education is crucial for personal and societal change. Historically, literacy was limited to a few, and girls were often excluded from learning. However, with the emergence of new ideas in the 19th century, schools became more accessible, and despite opposition, women like Ramabai and Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain advocated for and fought for girls' education. Their efforts, including establishing schools and writing about women's experiences and aspirations, highlight the transformative power of education. While more girls attend school today, challenges related to poverty, inadequate schooling facilities, and discrimination still affect their educational opportunities, particularly for girls from Dalit, Adivasi, and Muslim communities.

Women’s Movement

The Women's Movement is a collective struggle by individuals and organizations to address gender discrimination and promote equality. It employs various strategies to raise awareness, fight discrimination, and seek justice.

Campaigning

Campaigns are a key strategy used to fight discrimination and violence against women, leading to the enactment of new laws. For instance, campaigns against dowry deaths resulted in stricter laws, and efforts by women's groups led to Supreme Court guidelines protecting women from sexual harassment in workplaces and educational institutions.

Raising Awareness

The movement raises public awareness about women's rights issues through various means, including street plays, songs, and public meetings, effectively spreading its message.

Protesting

Public rallies and demonstrations are used to voice opposition to violations of women's rights and challenge discriminatory laws or policies, drawing attention to injustices.

Showing Solidarity

The movement also fosters solidarity among women and with other causes, as seen in demonstrations of support on International Women's Day and cross-border solidarity events.