Gender Discrimination faced by a girl child PDF

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Discrimination faced by girl child: A Case Study of Girl Child’s Representation in Media A Research Project submitted by MEHELI ROY Roll No. JMC202025 Supervisor GHAZALA YASMIN

INTRODUCTION "We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back. We call upon our sisters around the world to be brave - to embrace the strength within themselves and realize their full potential.” - Malala Yousafzai

While children around the world continue to face various forms of adversity in the 21 st century, girl children in particular are subjected to multiple forms of oppression, exploitation, and discrimination due to their gender. United Nations statistics, national reports and studies initiated by non-governmental organizations repeatedly show that girls, as a group, have lower literacy rates, receive less health care, and are more often impoverished than boys.[1] It is also important to note these conditions, more often than not, do not improve as girls grow to become women.

Every girl and boy deserve an equal chance to survive and thrive. As the leading expert on childhood, Save the Children has been championing equal rights for every child for over 100 years – in fact, we invented the concept. Today, we are the leading champion for the human rights of the world’s 2.2 billion girls and boys. Yet, gender discrimination, starting in childhood, continues to rob children of their childhoods and limit their chances – disproportionately affecting the world’s girls. A girl is far more likely to be denied her rights, kept from school, forced to marry and subjected to violence – her voice undervalued, if it’s heard at all. This assault on childhood also deprives nations of the energy and talent they need to progress.

• What is gender discrimination? Gender discrimination is any unequal treatment, including privilege and priority, on the basis of gender.

• What is gender inequality? Gender inequality is discrimination on the basis of sex or gender causing one sex or gender to be routinely privileged or prioritized over another. Gender equality is a fundamental human right and that right is violated by gender discrimination. Gender disparity starts in childhood and are right now limiting the lifelong potential of children around the world – disproportionately affecting girls.

• What are the causes of gender inequality? Gender prejudice and resulting gender discrimination begin in childhood. From the moment they’re born, girls and boys face unequal gender norms regarding

expectations and access to resources and opportunities, with lifelong consequences in their homes, schools and communities. For example, the world’s boys are often encouraged to go to school and get an education to prepare for work, while girls carry heavy household responsibilities that keep them from school, increasing the odds of child marriage and pregnancy.

A focus on gender equality is essential to close inequality gaps and ensure that we reach every last child, including those who are most vulnerable. Gender inequalities intersect with and exacerbate other factors contributing to vulnerability, including age, race, socio-economic class, gender identity, geography, health status and ability.

REASON FOR SELECTION OF TOPIC With the prevalence of gender discrimination, and social norms and practices, girls become exposed to the possibility of child marriage, teenage pregnancy, child domestic work, poor education and health, sexual abuse, exploitation and violence. Many of these manifestations will not change unless girls are valued more. • Why is gender equality important to economic development? Sustainable development relies on ending discrimination towards women and providing equal access to education and opportunities for employment. ... Even when women do work, the gender pay gap means they aren't earning as much as men. As a woman, we need to work to ensure that she gets every opportunity to realise her potential. By celebrating, protecting and educating the girl child, we empower her. By empowering our daughter we empower their communities which means empowering the nation. Gender equality is when people of all genders have equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities. ... Gender equality prevents violence against women and girls. It's essential for economic prosperity. Societies that value women and men as equal are safer and healthier.

FRAMING OF RESEARCH QUESTION The prime subject matter of this research is to determine the causes of gender discrimination. In this regard, I would search for the answers of the questions mentioned below through regression analysis.

• What are the reasons for gender discrimination in society?

• How does gender equality affect our society?

• What are the examples of Gender Discrimination?

The first research question stands for What are the reasons for gender discrimination in society?

From time immemorial, a girl child has been considered as an unwanted entity and a burden whom the parents would not mind doing away with. Discrimination against women begins even before her birth. Traditional value system, low level of literacy, more house hold responsibilities lack of awareness, non-availability of proper guidance, low mobility, lack of self confidence family discouragement and advanced science and technology are some of the factors responsible to create gender disparity in our society. The most important causes of gender disparity such as poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, social customs, belief and anti-female attitude and

many more. Here are some most important causes of Gender Discrimination like ____

➢ Poverty: In India of the total 30 percent people who are below poverty line, 70 percent are women. Women’s poverty in India is directly related to the absence of economic opportunities and autonomy, lack of access to economic resources including credit , land ownership and inheritance, lack of access to education and support services and their minimal participation in the decision making process. The situation of women on economic front is no better and men still enjoy a larger share of the cake. Thus poverty stands at the root of gender discrimination in our patriarchal society and this economic dependence on the male counterpart is itself a cause of gender disparity.

➢

Illiteracy: The progress towards education by girls is very slow and gender disparities persist at primary, upper primary and secondary stage of education. Girl’s account for only 43.7% of enrolment at primary level, 40 .9 % at upper primary level, 38.6% at secondary level and 36.9% at degree and above level. More over girl’s participation in education is still below 50% Gender differences in enrolment are prevalent in all the state at all levels. They are not able to realize full identity and power in all spheres of life only due to illiteracy.

➢ Lack of Employment Facilities: Women are not able to resolve the conflict between new economic and old domestic roles. In both rural and urban India, women spend a large proportion of time on unpaid home sustaining work. Women are not able to respond to new opportunities and shift to new occupations because their mobility tends to be low due to intrahouse hold allocation of responsibilities.

➢ Social Customs, Beliefs and Practices: Women are not free from social customs, beliefs and practices. The traditional patrilineal joint family system confines women’s roles mostly to the domestic sphere, allocating them to a subordinate status, authority and power compared to men. Men are perceived as the major providers and protectors of a family while women are perceived as playing only a supportive role, attending to the hearth. Boys and girls are accordingly drained for different adult roles, status and authority. In Indian culture since very early periods, men have dominated women as a group and their status has been low in the family and society. Parents often think that teaching a girl child to manage the kitchen is more important than sending her to school. Many feel that it is an unnecessary financial burden to send a girl child to school as subsequently she will be married off and shifted to some other family. This orthodox belief of parents is responsible for gender disparity.

➢ Social Altitude: Though many social activists and reformers carried their crusade against all social odds to restore honour and dignity to women, attitudinal disparities still hunt our rural masses. Despite pronounced social development and technological advancement, women in our society still continue to be victims of exploitation, superstition, illiteracy and social atrocities.

The second research question stands for How does Gender Discrimination affect our society?

With the prevalence of gender discrimination, and social norms and practices, girls become exposed to the possibility of child marriage, teenage pregnancy, child domestic work, poor education and health, sexual abuse, exploitation and violence. Many of these manifestations will not change unless girls are valued more. Inequalities faced by girls can begin right at birth and follow them all their lives. In some countries, girls are deprived of access to health care or proper nutrition, leading to a higher mortality rate. As girls move into adolescence, gender disparities widen. Child marriage affects girls far more than boys. Gender discrimination in nationality laws places many children worldwide at risk of statelessness and can result in wide-ranging violations of children’s rights, including obstacles to family unity, freedom of movement, access to education,

healthcare, and social services, the right to an inheritance, and freedom from child marriage, in addition to other hardships and rights violations. The exclusion caused by gender discrimination in nationality laws and policies contributes to psychological distress and marginalization, while denying children the chance to follow their dreams to pursue certain professions. Countries also suffer and sustainable development is inhibited when such children are prevented from fully contributing to society.

The third research question stands for What are the examples of Gender Discrimination? • Education: Even before the pandemic, girls were more likely than boys to never set foot in a classroom. Conflict, poverty and other forms of social disadvantage also magnify gender inequality in education. Girls living in countries affected by conflict, for example, are 2.5 times more likely to be out of school than boys. Some 9.7 million children were at risk of being forced out of school by the end of 2020, with girls facing an increased risk. •

Child marriage: Child marriage is a form of gender-based violence and a result and driver of gender inequality and gender discrimination. Experts predict that the COVID-19 pandemic is set to reverse 25 years of progress, which saw child marriage rates decline. In fact, Save the Children analysis revealed a further 2.5 million girls at risk of marriage by 2025 because of the pandemic the greatest surge in child marriage rates in nearly three decades.

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Gender-based violence: Gender-based violence occurs everywhere around the world across all economic and social groups. While both boys and girls are negatively impacted, girls are particularly at risk. An estimated 1 in 3 women globally have experienced physical or sexual violence in their

lifetime, mostly at the hands of their partners. Types of violence may include: prenatal sex selection, female infanticide, neglect, female genital mutilation, rape, child marriage, forced prostitution, honor killing and dowry killing. Many of these gross violations of human rights have been used as weapons of war around the world. Refugee children are particularly vulnerable.

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Child labor: There are currently 152 million children engaged in child labor around the world. [3] Child labor makes it difficult for children to attend school or limits their attendance, putting them at risk of falling behind their peers. Boys and girls are affected differently by child labor and parents’ decisions are often influenced by wider social norms about the different roles that they should play in the home and in society. Girls are much more likely to shoulder the responsibility for household chores while boys are more likely to engage in harmful work such as construction. Girls are usually pulled out of school earlier than boys and are more likely to face sexual exploitation and slavery.

HYPOTHESIS Discrimination against female children has been a topic of debate. It has been a subject of concern and sociological significance. This subject raises the cultural aspects about the role of a female child in society, what her human rights are as a human being and a number of sensitive issues. This issue is important because there is nearly universal consensus on the need for gender equality. Gender based discrimination against female children is pervasive across the world. It is seen in all the strata of society and manifests in various forms. As per the literature, female child has been treated inferior to male child and this is deeply engraved in the mind of the female child. Some argue that due to this inferior treatment the females fail to understand their rights. This is more predominant in India as well as other lesser developed countries. Sex selection of the before birth and neglect of the female child after birth, in childhood and, during the teenage years has outnumbered males to females in India and also in countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh and South Korea. These numbers tell us quite a harsh story about neglect and mistreatment of the female child in India.

A review of a film and documentary is critically analysed in details in this research project.

A CASE STUDY OF THE SHORT FILM ‘PARIVARTAN’ BASED ON GENDER DISCRIMINATION OF GIRL CHILD

International Day of the Girl Child, is observed globally on October 11, to increase awareness about gender inequality, equal access to education, nutrition, legal rights, medical care, and protection from discrimination, violence and forced child marriage. The grassroots reality is however not very reassuring as the world over, gender-based violence and discrimination continue to hit the headlines. Here is our list of films that you can watch to be aware of the resilience, strength and also the heartbreaking reality of being born a girl. A local renowned short film Director Devdutt Yadumani has directed a 12minute short length film ‘Parivartan’. It was screened on the Youtube platform in the language Hindi. Devdutt Yadumani is a Lyricist-Director-Script Writer, Resident of Mumbai, Maharashtra. He has directed many more short films which has been screened on Youtube and other OTT platforms like Hungama, Jio Cinema and also Amazon Prime. His professional Youtube channel name is CineCare Illutainment. He has used local actors and actresses in his short film ‘Parivartan’. An Ambulance driver carries his wife to a hospital for delivery in his ambulance. He expects a male child this time, as he has already a 3 years old daughter. As labour pain starts on the way, he recollects his dream and gets immersed in it with an expectation that, this issue will definitely be a male child. But his dream fades away, when he hears from his mother-in-law, who accompanies her daughter that he is blessed with a girl child. He gets angry and fires on his wife; even he forces her cruelly to get down from the ambulance with the new born baby and leaves her under the pouring sky along with his small daughter and mother- in-law. He turns the ambulance and drives back with anger. On the way when he stops for a fag and by-chance watches news on Rio Olympics at a roadside shop, which changes his perception on girl child. He ignites the ambulance and goes back to bring his family with a regret.

‘Parivartan’ has showed the Gender Discrimination issue well. The Cinematography of the film is quite natural and beautifully captured. The editing and sound design is also beautiful. Overall the short film is quite good. The issue of Gender Discrimination of Girl Child has filmed and shown magically.

LINK OF THE SHORT FILM ‘PARIVARTAN’ https://youtu.be/ipzaz3BGVjI

A CASE STUDY OF THE ADVERTISEMENT ‘NANHI KALI’ BASED ON GENDER DISCRIMINATION OF GIRL CHILD Famous Innovations agency NESTLE has come up with a heart touching ad campaign with a very strong message about educating the girl child. It shows a little girl cutting her hair and wearing the school uniform of her brother. When enquired about it by her friend, she says that she wants to look like a boy so that she can continue studying in her school. In less than a minute, it is able to put across the message about how so many girls in India are still denied education despite their willingness towards going to school. It is important for the world to understand the importance of girl education. Nitin Pradhan brings out the beauty and piousness of little children as well as highlights the biggest evil in Indian society. The ad campaign shows the innocence of a little girl because she tries to be a part of the male chauvinist society just by imitating her brother. The little girl uses a simple analogy to bring out the big problem of girl dropouts in Indian schools. It shows how oblivion and innocence can bring out the things that sometimes even the smartest can miss out. When India attained Independence, girls attending schools were few and far between, the figure hardly in double digits. Today when the nation is journeying towards building a powerful, self-sufficient, digitally enabled country, the number of girls getting education still remains dismally poor. An estimated 20 million girls drop out of school every year in India. Girl child education is the crying need of the hour and also the belief behind ‘Project Nanhi Kali’, an initiative aimed to provide primary education to underprivileged girl children in India. The participatory project works through sponsorship to ensure that girls get access to quality education as well as complete 10 years of it. This Teachers’ Day, Nestlé India joined hands with Project ‘Nanhi Kali’ for the launch of their campaign – #EducateTheGirlChild with the aim to educate a million girls. An adorable little girl is shown chopping her hair off in front of a

mirror. Her shocked friend who is standing nearby asks her why she’s doing this. (little girls love their long tresses). The girl says that her father stopped her elder sister from going to school today and said that school is only for her brother. Hence, by cutting her hair and wearing a shirt, she will look like a boy and be allowed to go to school. A poignant fact flashes across the screen: In India, around 20 million girls are still denied education.’ The campaign ensured maximum viewership by roping in a popular news network. Twitter India also joined in the initiative by celebrating Teacher’s Day with the teachers and students of Nanhi Kali. The strong message in this short ad campaign opens the eyes of millions of Indians who still do not believe in sending their little girls to school. It is a mindboggling and soul shattering message that can change one’s perspective from being a total ignorant to an empathizer and a progressive changemaker.

LINK OF THE ADVERTISEMENT ‘NANHI KALI: https://youtu.be/0nWIWKvCNTE

GENDER AS AN IDENTITY

Gender identity is defined as a personal conception of oneself as male or female (or rarely, both or neither). This concept is intimately related to the concept of gender role, which is defined as the outward manifestations of personality that reflect the gender identity. Gender identity, in nearly all instances, is selfidentified, as a result of a combination of inherent and extrinsic or environmental factors; gender role, on the other hand, is manifested within society by observable factors such as ehav...