Gender discrimination in south Asian context: Guidance to identify social responsibilities and recommendations for problem solving mechanism

Abstract

Usually women are treated differently and unequal than men in their education, career, economic advancement and political influences. It is a common type of discrimination that is happening throughout the world, even in the developed countries. In particular, this study is focused on 07 Districts in Sri Lanka, and 1,400 women representing both employed and unemployed categories of both urban and rural localities with age from 18 to 55. The overall assessment therein was to discover whether there are disadvantages causing against women due to gender disparities predominated the social context, if so, what are those disadvantages and also to determine what are the negative effects of such that could influence the development of entire society, directly or implicitly. Applied data collection process was consisted by questionnaires, focused group discussions, revealing case studies and observations and results were analyzed through quantitative and qualitative approaches. 67 % of unemployed data providers stated that they are satisfied on the decision making processes prevailing at home settings. In contrast, 40 % of the employed respondents expressed that they are not happy about the status of decision making at domestic level. Several other factors too, were emerged as obstructive elements affecting women to keep away from national development. Barriers affecting for growth of job prospects too, were prevailing in every sector. Attending extended educational needs, unattainable promotions of selected jobs due to personal aspects and no compassionate environment available for promotions, increased risk of un-infectious diseases were some of them. Under these circumstances, a suggestion is made to establish a National Committee for Controlling Gender Based Discrimination (NCCGBD) as to be pursued through Divisional Secretariats. This to be focused on empowering societies of rural women with the aim of surmounting problems of women thru’ the said network. It should be emphasized that the gender awareness is an influential factor that affects national development in any country. Hence it is vital to pay sufficient attention also in focus of the procurement of policies in respect of national development.