Gender Inequality: Gender Stereotype and Sexism

Author: Pranshul Jaiswal University: Bharati Vidyapeeth New law College,

Co-author: Rifa Khan University: Bharati Vidyapeeth New law College.

Global gender inequality in origin is essentially a problem. Two phenomena and closely related elements: gender stereotyping and sexism can be mostly seen as representing it. This paper is an outline of these in-depth relationships that influence individuals and communities collectively. Gender stereotypes-which are extremely entrenched within a culture of social awareness-mean one's role, actions, or characteristics will always be predetermined through one's gender. These preconceptions, which are reinforced by media, culture, and upbringing, severely limit human potential and choices. They limit men's emotional expression and confine women to certain roles, eventually perpetuating gender inequity. Sexism perpetuates these assumptions, appearing as both overt discrimination and subtle prejudices. Hostile sexism maintains demeaning views, whereas benign sexism disguises condescension as gallantry, limiting autonomy in both cases. Sexism and stereotypes work together to create uneven access to opportunities, leadership positions, and economic equality. The impacts of this trio include salary disparities to gender-based violence. Recognizing the symbiotic link between gender inequity, stereotypes, and sexism is critical for developing successful reform methods. To fight this widespread problem, awareness, education, and legislative changes must all work together to challenge preconceptions, eradicate sexist systems, and create a culture of respect and equality. We can only expect to deconstruct the complicated web of gender inequity if we address these factors comprehensively.

Is India aware of gender inequality like gender stereotypes and sexism which is happening in India? Through this article, I would like to talk about this, what is gender inequality? Gender inequality is a deeply rooted and widespread phenomenon that has been there throughout human history, affecting people and society worldwide. It refers to the uneven treatment, opportunities, and expectations that people endure because of their gender, with women, transgender people, and gender minorities usually bearing the brunt of the burden. Gender inequality shows itself in a variety of ways, including the economic, educational, political, and social realms, and it is sustained by a complex interaction of historical, cultural, and structural variables. The effects of gender inequality are far-reaching and varied. It restricts people's potential and chances, stifles social and economic growth, and reinforces damaging prejudices and biases. Inequalities in access to education, work, healthcare, and political representation continue, preventing many people throughout the world from fully realizing their human rights and potential. Over the years, efforts to address gender inequality have gained popularity, with groups, programs, and campaigning challenging conventional conventions and seeking greater gender fairness. Despite improvement in many areas, gender inequality is a chronic concern that requires constant attention and coordinated actions at the local, national, and global levels. Even after spreading awareness of gender inequality, this thing is not changing in society. Society is still facing this issue, and the question arises here is why? It is still facing this issue because you can’t change the stereotype that sometimes unjust and incorrect perceptions that many people have about all individuals or objects having a particular attribute are not changing, they don’t even know that they are wrong. And society is still facing this issue because of a lack of awareness, the awareness that was given to the people of the society was not enough to make them realize that the gender stereotypical thinking they are having and the discrimination they are doing between the male and female is wrong. Till now awareness was given about males and females only, but now India considers transgender also a gender, even after accepting them as a gender people of the society still do not accept them and consider them dead. Till now India has considered 3 genders only but overall in the world there are 72 genders that are considered and exist for people in India people are able to accept 3 genders only, somewhere someone has an issue with someone, for example, the people of the society have an issue with the female that why they have been given an equal opportunity and thing as compared to males, this is thinking of people, this is a gender stereotype and here is sexism include because people are talking about the differences between male and female, another example is that people think males can’t cry and have an emotional breakdown because they are the superior ones and superior people have to act like superior one, and also because they are male above of all because THEY ARE MALE and they are masculine and powerful so, yea but we cannot say this what is wrong if males also show an emotion and even if they are psychologically weak, they can be because they are humans after all. People are still discriminating between males and females so, there is no chance that they would accept transgender easily, People should be given full awareness regarding this and it should be given to teenagers the most because they are the future, they are still developing and people need to change their thinking ability, change their perception about gender, they should start accepting things, they will only start accepting thing when they will be provided with a full education about this issue and how is the world is changing and developing. For example, in earlier times people used to use letters for distant communication but eventually, they accepted the keypad mobile phones because it was easier for them to communicate with distant ones than they accepted the technology like they accepted the smartphones. Why? They accepted these things because it made things easy and convenient for them, when they can accept technology means they are capable enough to accept the development. So, for them to accept these things, they should be given proper education and knowledge about this. The world is developing and becoming better. Why should their thinking be old and stereotyped? The world is evolving drastically so people are exploring and these new changes are happening. Now, we will see what knowledge people have on gender inequality. Do they really know what it is? We will see through the questionnaire I conducted and see what people really think and where we should work.

VEDIC PERIOD: In Early Vedic Age, women enjoyed equal rights just like males in every walk of life. The women even earned respect and respect in the society. In spite of a male-dominated society, the females played a crucial role in the Aryan Vedic society. Generally, they have been an arm of war because most of their activities involved the same. Martial arts, for example, weapon training. Ancient cultures invented thousands of goddesses in a bid to learn the respect of women. Hinduism says that all human beings have two halves. They are a male and a female. Women were respected for their strength. Unlike men, they were worshiped as Shakti. The Shakta Hindus put the Mother Divine at number one among the creators; the Vaishnavas and the Saivites who worship Lord Vishnu or Lord Siva could seek God only through His Shakti until recent times. The records are not old enough for the more recent periods of history in the Arab culture to speak of these rights disappearing.

MEDIEVAL PERIOD: Most of women's status went into decline in the medieval period. As their roles and status in a patriarchal society were defined and determined by the gender, women mostly worked as wives, mothers, and caretakers, running households, raising their children, and maintaining household life for their families. There was very little opportunity for them in education, law, and actual power-related positions as compared to men, thus keeping them subservient.

COLONIAL PERIOD: Colonialism in India, to a great extent, provided glorious opportunities for achievement of gender balance, but presented severe challenges and, at the same time, neo-colonialism laws and educational improvement allowed women a little better place in society, but gender behavior was stubbornly entrenched. During the time of the East India Company, women were totally subjugated to men, as they had no character or any form of importance. They were treated as slaves. Instead, they were always seen as children in the households. Women had little dynamic literacy skills.

Their existence was not recognized at all. Among the social changes and their functions were:

• The Bengal Regulations of 1795 and 1805 prohibited infanticide as a crime and linked a penalty to it;

• Raja Ram Mohan Roy with William Bentinck fought to make Sati unlawful: this was brought under regulation XVII passed in 1829 under the Bengal Code.

• Pandit Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar can be said to have finally solved the problem of Widow remarriage through the Hindu Widow's Remarriage Act issued in 1856.

• The Native Marriage Act of 1872, civil marriage; it prohibits child marriages

As the name goes, gender stereotypes are preconceived notions of the traits or roles that a member of the specific gender ought to play. This often keeps off assumptions concerning the roles played by men and women as well as the differences between them. Perhaps one of the most widespread stereotypes regarding girls and women is that they are fond of pink.

• Media will play a very important role in how stereotypes are made because most people take it as a benchmark for their appearance, behavior, and understanding of the world around them, making this potentially problematic regarding how we come to understand the very complex and nuanced concept of gender.

•In education, many merciless views have badly affected certain sections of society. The most common stereotype is that men are far better than women in education/ courses like Engineering, BBA, MBA, etc., and women are better than men in education/ courses like B.ed, BA, and Makeup courses.

• Workplace stereotyping: For example, thinking that women cannot do physical activities and need help from a male to perform that, that all men are by nature aggressive

• Culture stereotyping; girls and women are generally encouraged to dress traditionally feminine and should be polite and accommodating and more nurturing. And men are seen as strong aggressive and bold

Sexism is discrimination against an individual based on that person's biological sex. It arises from the stereotypes common among people on how a specific role in society is affected by someone's biological sex. An example of sexism would be a female applying to work at a fire department but having her application denied because she was not male.

• For open/rural-based regular/salaried employment gender discrimination is patent. A marked earnings gap even in RE has been noted to persist between 2019 -20 for the rural labor force, as depicted by the two columns on either side of this page. 

THE AVERAGE EARNING FOR MEN WORKS OUT TO RS 19,779 COMPARED TO RS 15,578 FOR WOMEN.

•Interpersonal sexism is when a person shares his sexist ideology and stereotypes with a woman. This can be either verbally to a woman or derogatory comments addressed to a woman in her presence. It can also be nonverbally implemented like crossing the woman's path or nudging a woman out of the way.

• The Lok Sabha elected in the 2019 polls has just 14.4 percent women MPs. This is short of the 33 percent reservation that is being made. In all state assemblies, except Tripura and Chhattisgarh, women MLAs are even less as compared to 14.4 percent of Lok Sabha.

EDUCATION- Adult literacy is also still a matter of concern, with only 64.63% of literate women, in comparison to 80.88% of men, according to the latest census data from 2011. 

EMPLOYMENT- - According to THE FEMALE LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE in the last six years and new trends are emerging. Data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (2022-23) indicates that THE FEMALE LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE is at 37 percent, an increase of 4.2 percentage points from the last survey (2021-22).  

POLITICS-In Indian politics, in addition to both genders, transgender have also seen an eagerness to enter politics. In the 2019 Indian politics Lok Sabha elections, the ratio of women to men was 14.36 and 85.64 respectively, which shows that even after the right to equality in the Indian constitution, gender discrimination is not decreasing in our society today. 

For example – currently, 542 members in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of parliament, and only 78 of them are women It’s less than 15% in the Rajya Sabha it is around 13%, so representation is low and it is far below the global average, according to women in National Parliament is 26.2% in the year 2022. So India is lagging. 

FAMILY STRUCTURE

- The extended and joint family or households together claim only 20% of all households according to the census of India (2011).

12.15 million children are married in India – 8.9 million are girls; married girls are three times the number of boys (census 2011).

According to UNICEF, 102 million of India's 223 million child brides were wed before the age of 15.

PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECT- 

Gender inequality can have several negative impacts on mental health: 

• Increased Interest – Gender inequality can lead to increased stress levels, which can contribute to the development of anxiety and depression.

• Low self-esteem – Gender stereotypes can lead to low self-esteem, especially in people who don’t obey traditional gender roles. 

The research method used for this article is a survey through a questionnaire method, where the researcher collected a questionnaire filled out by students belonging to the 15 - 25 age group. This helped the researcher to know what the public thinks and what the actual implications should be. The research was primary, not secondary. 

We have conducted the survey through the questionnaire method so that we can understand where people are lacking and what they understand. Do they really understand what they are saying? Sometimes you want to say something but you say something else because of a lack of awareness and education. 

So, the age group we have selected for the questionnaire was 15 to 25. we have targeted the audience who are developing and still learning things, mainly students. 

Question 1. According to you, what is the primary cause of gender inequality?

Around 71.4% of people said patriarchal mindset, now What is a patriarchal mindset

Patriarchal mindset refers to the greater aggregate power that men have over women and other genders, which is correct, This is the major issue people need to change their thinking about, it is so unfair that a man has power over any gender of women have the over any gender or any gender have power over any gender. Around 12.2% of them said religious mindset which is again also a correct answer but it is not the major issue. The major issue is about the thinking of the people. Here, at least people are able to identify the problem. 

Question 2. From birth male and female offsprings are raised _______

Around 77.6% of people said differently, which is correct. Both are raised differently which is why the discrimination is happening. If both were raised equally then the discrimination among genders would not be a major issue.

Question 3. It is believed that ________ of victims of intimate partner violence are women 

Around 36.7% marked don’t know, they don’t know the proportion of violence against women in an intimate relationship because they were never told about this, and around 24.5% people marked one – third, and 24.5% people marked two – third, so, the correct answer is one- third. Why the majority of the people didn’t know about this? It was because of a lack of awareness and education which should be provided. 

Question 4. Which statement is not correct according to you?

Around 30.6% of the people marked gender as socially constructed, for them it is an incorrect statement but it is not incorrect because As a social construct, gender varies from society to society and can change over time. Only about 22.4% of people make the incorrect statement that gender is the role of men and women in society, it is wrong because worldwide 72 genders are considered. 

Question 5. Which of the characteristics is not a characteristic of a gender? 

Around 31.9% of people marked physical and psychological differences between males and females which is correct. It is not a characteristic of gender. People are understanding things because of the education they have been given but they are not fully understanding things. Only 31.9% of people out of 100% of people understand this, which means education was given to limited people or only they were interested in understanding this thing. 

Question 6. Which of these reasons is behind gender inequality?

Around 62.5% of people marked all of the above which is correct because of illiteracy, narrow ideology, and lack of awareness, all of them are reasons for gender inequality. 

Question 7. According to you, how many genders are identified in India? 

Around 59.2% of people marked 3 which is correct only 3 genders are identified in India. Only half the people know this and half of them don’t even know that now in India transgender is also identified as a gender because half the population of India doesn’t consider transgender as the gender. This is because of gender stereotypes and sexism. And around 12.2% of people marked 7 because of lack of knowledge. 

Question 8. Are you aware of the 72 types of gender existing in the world? 

Around 67.3% of people didn’t know about this because of a lack of awareness and knowledge and only around 32.7% knew about this because only a limited amount of the population is able to access this information through education and technology and people who are illiterate they don’t even know about this because they are not even given a proper chance because of poverty. 

Question 9. What is stereotyping according to you? 

Many people have answered this question and many skipped this question. According to people stereotyping is – “Stereotypes are assumptions or beliefs set by people based on limited information.”

“Stereotyping is when men and women are treated differently creating a sort of discrimination against one gender role. When a woman is paid less than men for the same job is one example.”

“Girls should be well behaved and boys are expected to act out.”

“Stereotyping is to define a whole group of people with characteristics the same. For example when we hate a whole group of people based on one person of that particular group.”

These are some answers to what people have said and what they have understood from the term stereotyping, Some are correct and some are not because some have the knowledge and some don’t, and some people want to say something but say something else because they exactly don’t know the meaning of this because they are confused, they are in doubt. 

Question10. What is equality and equity? Answer in brief. 

As above many have answered this question and many skipped this question. According to people equality and equity is – “Equality focuses on treating everyone the same way regardless of their circumstances and equity emphasizes fairness by providing resources based on individual needs.”

“Equality is treating everyone equally no matter the circumstances and equity is a specific role assigned to each type.”

“Equality means each individual irrespective of gender, caste, religion, etc. has been given equal rights and opportunities, whereas, Equity means using or utilizing the given rights and opportunities in a manner that it finally reaches an equal outcome.”

It is a fact that equality refers to equal opportunities given to all. On the other hand, equity refers to the fact that everybody has different situations that require more resources to acquire equal income.

Some people are not able to understand this concept. Equality involves treating everybody the same way; one should ignore personal differences or situations. Identical resources, opportunities, and access to services are provided for all. On the other hand, equity admits that all persons do not begin from the same position or even have similar needs. It will focus on the provision of equal support to allow individuals to win or succeed equitably. Therefore, more can be allocated to some and fewer to others as long as their needs are adequately met. This is a measure of equity where fairness and justice are ensured due to consideration of individual circumstances for equal opportunities and outcomes.

Some understood; others did not understand and provided wrong answers. The positive thing is that they tried; their trying suggests them to be interested. The lack of the proper awareness and education might have prevented them from understanding.

* The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976

* The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961

* The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961

*The commission of Sati (Prevention) Act 1987. 

These are some laws to prevent gender inequality.

1. State of Rajasthan v. Visakha and others (1997)

It was after the dastardly gang rape of a social worker by the name Bhanwari Devi in Rajasthan in 1992 that a host of NGOs and women's rights activists filed a PIL, which eventually led to the case coming before the Supreme Court. Bhanwari Devi's story came into international limelight when she was sexually harassed while trying to prevent child marriages. The Hon'ble Supreme Court of India acknowledged the fact that there was no legislation that would prevent sexual harassment and provide women with a safe workplace. Though not applicable to the case, Sections 354 and 354A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, were to be used in any case of sexual harassment. This brought to the notice of the Honourable Court the need for appropriate and effective laws to govern sexual harassment. The Hon. Supreme Court developed the Vishaka Guidelines to regulate sexual harassment at the workplace. These guidelines would be considered as a law promulgated under Article 141 of the Indian Constitution. These were the rules around which the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act of 2013 was formed.  

2. Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018)

This case was initiated by a group of LGBTQ+ people, including the classical dancer Navtej Singh Johar and other notable campaigners, who argued that section 377 infringed their basic rights. In the case of Naz Foundation v. Government of NCT of Delhi, the Delhi High Court decriminalized consensual homosexual conduct between adults in 2009. But in 2013, this decision was overturned by the Supreme Court, once again saying that gay marriages are illegal. On September 6, 2018, the Indian Supreme Court voted unanimously to gut the part of Section 377 that criminalized sex between consenting adults of the same gender. The court opined that criminalizing gay marriages is based on bisexual stereotypes and violates the fundamental rights of LGBTQ+ individuals.

3. Shayara Bano v. union of India 

In 2016, Shayara Bano, a Muslim lady from Uttarakhand, India, petitioned the Supreme Court of India. After her husband divorced her, she disputed the tradition of triple talaq by saying the word "talaq" (divorce) three times. In August 2017, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court of India declared triple talaq illegal by a vote of 3-2. The court ruled that triple talaq violated the fundamental rights of Muslim women and was not an essential Islamic practice. According to the two dissident justices, the legislature should decide the issue.

4. Indra Sarma v. V.K.V. Sarma (2013)

Indra Sarma, an unmarried lady, resigned from her work and began a live-in relationship with V.K.V Sarma, a married man. Despite knowing that Mr. Sarma was married and had children, they continued to live together for 18 years. He formed a firm in her name, and they were profiting from it. Later, he relocated the firm to his house and ran it with the help of his son, depriving her of the opportunity to work and make money. It was stated that V.K.V Sarma quit the appellant's company without financially supporting her because his family persistently resisted their live-in relationship and eventually pushed him to do so. Failure to assist a lady who is involved in a "domestic" relationship under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act of 2005, "relationship" is deemed "domestic violence."According to the Court, in order for there to be a marriage, the parties must meet the following conditions: they must consent to be married, live together as husband and wife, and disclose their union to others. This means that, even if it is not legally binding, a "relationship in the nature of marriage" must include certain essential and unavoidable aspects of marriage. In order to buttress its view, the Court refers to a few conceivable relationships that would qualify for DV Act protection. Domestic partnerships with same-sex partners are not covered by Section 2(f) since they are not covered by the Act. The court also said that it is necessary to widen the definition of the expression in section 2(f) of the Act. 

5. State of Karnataka v. Krishnappa (2000)

In an inebriated state, the Respondent invaded the victim's family's home and attempted to rape her mother, who escaped. He then raped the eight-year-old child and attacked her father, who later came to locate her. The trial court found the Respondent guilty and sentenced him to ten years in jail. On appeal, the Karnataka High Court's Single Judge bench declined to intervene. However, on a subsequent appeal, the Division Bench of the High Court reduced the sentence to four years of rigorous imprisonment by reiterating the same facts considered by the trial court, including considerations that the Accused was a "unsophisticated and illiterate citizen belonging to the weaker section of society," had an elderly mother, wife, and children reliant on him, was a persistent alcoholic, and had raped the victim while intoxicated. The order of the High Court was challenged in the Supreme Court” It further noted that it was important for courts to deal sternly and severely with sexual violence to deter further commission.

 Sexism, gender inequity, and gender stereotypes are complex problems with wide-ranging effects. The prevalence and impact of these problems have been clarified by a number of research and study findings and conclusions. Some noteworthy findings and results pertaining to sexism, gender stereotypes, and gender inequality are as follows: First, economic inequalities. The gender pay gap arises from the fact that women's average earnings are lower than men's in most countries. Women are predominantly employed in low-wage sectors and occupations, and this reflects the persistence of gender-based occupational segregation.2.Educational Inequalities: There are areas where education remains unequal, especially between boys and girls, and girls find it hard to access quality education. Girls are not encouraged to pursue careers in STEM fields because of the stereotypes about women's aptitude in such fields.3. Healthcare Inequities: Because of gender biases, women's health problems may not be treated properly or on time. Inequities in the provision of healthcare services and women's sexual and reproductive health rights are often discriminated against.4. Stereotypes and Media Representation:The media often perpetuates harmful gender stereotypes by portraying men and women in limited and unrealistic roles. Such biases may help to sustain gender inequality through the impact on self-perception and societal expectations.5. Attitude Change: The aim of educational programs and public awareness campaigns is to remove prejudices and promote more equal views. To eliminate discriminatory practices and achieve more gender equality, attitudes must change.

This aspect brings about several problems related to stereotyping, gender inequality, and sexism-a still present phenomena in most nations across the world. Such aspects preserve inequalities both socially and economically and impact, directly and adversely, the two groups as a whole. Dealing with gender disparities requires an integrated approach involving both awareness campaigns and legal reforms with cultural changes so that deep-seated prejudices could be dealt with and a fairer and more inclusive society was built. Thus, in a society where both men and women are free to pursue their aims and desires without any gender distinction and where equality is not a goal but the reality of the day, all these challenges should be dealt with.

1. The State of Karnataka v. Krishnappa, Criminal Appeal No. 722 of 1999, Judgment (Mar. 30, 2000), https://jajharkhand.in/wp/wp-content/judicial_updates_files/07_Criminal_Law/50_sentencing/The_State_Of_Karnataka_vs_Krishnappa_on_30_March,_2000.PDF.

2. Indra Sarma v. V.K.V. Sarma, Civil Appeal No. 2009 of 2013, Judgment (Nov. 26, 2013), https://ijtr.nic.in/Indra_Sarma_vs_V.K.V.Sarma_on_26_November,_2013.PDF.

3. Balram Yadav v. State of Bihar, (2016) 3 SCC 493, https://indiankanoon.org/doc/115701246/.

4. Lily Thomas v. Union of India, (2000) 6 SCC 224, https://indiankanoon.org/doc/168671544/.

5. Shayara Bano v. Union of India, (2017) 9 SCC 1, https://indiankanoon.org/doc/1031794/.

6. Periodic Labour Force Survey Report, Press Information Bureau (PIB) (Jan. 11, 2024), https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1967291#:~:text=Periodic%20Labour%20Force%20Survey%20Report,status'%20 concept%20 of%20 measuring%20 labour.

7. UPSC Daily Current Affairs – Mains Articles, Vajiram & Ravi (July 21, 2024), https://vajiramandravi.com/upsc-daily-current-affairs/mains-articles/d/21-July-2024/.

8. Vital Stats: Women’s Reservation Bill, PRS India (2024), https://prsindia.org/files/parliament/vital_stats/Vital_Stats-Womens_Reservation.pdf.

9. Adult Education Census 2011, Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, http://dsel.education.gov.in/adult_education#:~:text=Census%202011%20 recorded%20 overall%20 literacy%20rate%20in,rate%20of%2064.84%%20(Male:75.26%%20and%20 Female:%2053.67%).

10. The questionnaire which was made by the researcher.