Gender discrimination in East Asia - Essay Example

4th May Gender Discrimination in East Asia Introduction Gender discrimination has always been a widespread phenomenon in East Asian countries. The region of East Asia has always been a part of controversies due to the concern of discrimination on the basis of gender. In this region, women have always been victimized for being ‘women’. Burying a newborn child because that is female, limiting the access of women to education, work and health, burying the wife of a person who dies are some common examples of gender discrimination in East Asia. Violence against women leads to robbing the aspiration and self-esteem of women which possess life-long psychological cost. In East Asia, female’s admission in primary school is as lower as 26% than male students. Such statistics are also observed in health sector (ESCAP). The ratio of female to male in population is worsening in areas like Central and North Asia, South Asia and Countries of Pacific Islands. In many East Asian countries, out of every 10 girls, one dies due to limited access to health and out of 50, one woman dies during delivery and pregnancy. Gender discrimination not only brings problems for female population of a country but also affects the social and economic development of a country. There is huge economic and social cost behind the ramifications of gender discrimination. Blocking the access of females to health and education is not only unfavorable for economic growth and social welfare but also becomes obstacle in the path of labor force participation and human capital development. Women’s silence and inability to practice their civil rights deprive them from having social participation and this phenomenon also obstructs economic growth (ESCAP). Thesis Statement This paper postulates that governments of East Asian countries must take step forward to eradicate the employment gender inequalities in all sectors of the economy. Point of Support 1- Huge Social and Economic Cost There is huge economic and social cost behind gender discrimination. Discrimination hinders women’s participation in social and economic activities, reduces productivity and distracts resources. According to a recent survey, higher female participation and increased employment among women increases the output and growth of that region as shown in the mentioned table. Source: (World Bank, World Development Indicators Washington D.C., 2006) The above table reveals that from 1990 to 2004, the greatest effect has been on Malaysia, Indonesia and India, where the participation of female labor is lowest of all. These estimations reflect the opportunity cost that has been incurred on gender discrimination. The concept of working women is very common in the economy of United States, and the growth of United States is thereby higher than all the other mentioned countries. Lack of participation of women in political, legal, economic, social and other activities hinder the growth of economy. In a country where both male and female population is working, it seems to grow more profoundly than the country where only male population is working. Let us take an example of a family. A family where both parents are working will generate double income, but a family where only father is working, incurring expenditures of the entire family and meeting expenses from single income, it will be difficult to recover all the expenses. Point of Support 2- Psychological Cost Gender discrimination poses life-long threats to women’s expertise, self-esteem and capabilities. It not only restricts their opportunities but also spoils aspirations of women. It sabotages their mentality of building self-direction and competence. The unnecessary restrictions which are imposed on women make them clinically depressive and produce a state of helplessness. Such factors compel women to contribute into global burden of illness. Another life-long resentment is that of an unwanted pregnancy which is then transferred to the child. In regions where there is not any concept of educating women, such resentment and frustrations persist to greater extent. Despite of empowering and educating women, women are confined inside their homes and are considered to look after home and family. This is the major drawback of underdeveloped countries. Women must work abreast of men so as to provide a more trustworthy environment at workplace. In East Asian countries, the benefit of presence women workers to the organization can result in more pleasant and ethical working environment because educated male employees behave in a well-mannered way if women employees are also present at workplace. Point of Support 3- Background of Home and Society Gender based abuse and violence also creates social problems such as teenage pregnancy, illness of mother and newborn, clinical depression among women etc. Gender based discrimination becomes a major problem for female students who want to do something substantial in their life. The background of their homes prevents them from working for any social cause or achieving better quality education thereby causing more harm to the economic and social condition of a country. It becomes difficult for girls to go out from their homes in order to pursue their goals. In many countries, there is strict restriction from the side of government for women to leave home without their men. In such cases, women get confined and their will power and self-direction deteriorates. It becomes implied responsibility of men to protect their women from social abuse and violence prevailing in their country. In this way, women’s presence is limited to home and the get abstained from getting better quality education and thereby, a good job. Lately, there has been a lot example of female students and women achieving benchmark position in East Asian Countries. A young 16 years old female student names as Arfa Karim who died due to cancer is an example in this regard. Another example is of 11 years old Sitara Akbar, who set world record by passing O, levels with flying colors. Another example is of freelance journalist Saima Mohsin who reports from ITV and PBS. Counter Argument - Gender Pay Gap After reviewing all the above mentioned factors, it is necessary for governments of East Asian countries to devise such policies which help in eliminating gender discrimination from society as well as from workplace. Considerable progress has been made in order to lessen the gender discrimination in Pacific and Asian countries. Federal laws and equal employment opportunities strictly prohibits gender discrimination. Apart from the governmental level, gender discrimination needs to be eradicated from organizations. It has been noticed that women face discrimination in terms of wages, salaries and pays as well. The ratio of salary of women is just 60% of men’s salary (Haspels and Majurin). The three prominent areas, where discrimination in organizations prevails include: Hiring Many employers discriminate the potential candidates on the basis of gender. There are several reasons to do so. Employers believe that male applicants can be much stronger and invulnerable as compared to female applicants. In East Asian countries, typically male applicants are preferred in the field of construction and engineering because it is believed that it would not be possible for female employees to perform the field work or factory work. Apart from that, in other organizations, employers discriminate female candidates because of the common notion that females will be having more responsibilities at home and will also require leave of substantial days due to the issues like pregnancy and delivery etc. According to Income, Work and Gender Equality in East Asia (2008), employment of women in sectors like agriculture is higher than men as compared to employment of women for corporate and managerial positions (Haspels and Majurin). Salary Inequality in gender pay gap is another major issue. The major causes of inequality in pays of women as compared to men are job characteristics, individual’s characteristics (age, skills, education and job seniority), and occupational segregation due to gender, policies and laws of regulatory framework etc. (Haspels and Majurin). Gender discrimination does not arise in the hiring process only. The packages, perks and benefits which are offered to male and female also differ in most case. Countries like Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia discriminate a great deal when it comes to salary packages of male staff and female staff. Women encounter a lot of issues in receiving salaries because it is considered that female workers are not as vigilant as male workers and cannot afford taking high work pressure and burdens. Promotion As compared to male employees, female employees are less likely to receive rewards and promotions. The typical idea which lies behind this notion is that in male dominated organization or society it is difficult to snatch their rights from the hands of male employers. They least likely to understand the problems confronted by women and believe in imposing same burden as that of male workers. Refutation Despite of acknowledging the prior mentioned grim realities, due to the fast changing environment, the phenomenon of gender discrimination is eradicating from many countries. In country like Pakistan, people have started to see the situation from different perspective. In schools, colleges and universities, many girls who are coming to study belong to strict background. But the fact which is bringing them in is that their families are acknowledging that it is important to educate and empower women. Despite of being highly narrow minded and restrictive in nature, parents allow their daughters to study in universities where other boys are also studying. Many parents believe that the roots of their upbringing has been so firmly established in their minds, there is almost no probability that their daughters will go in wrong direction which in many cases is proven to be true. As far as violence and abusive behavior is concerned, educated women are least likely to attract such situations into their level due to the shift in their mental paradigm. They are more towards living a respectful and honorable life due to the valuable education which they have acquired. Education not only shifts the perspective of the female students, but their parents also realize the importance of education and work in the life of female population of their country. Females are the one who give birth to children and therefore it is their responsibility to make every possible effort for the upbringing of children. If females are not themselves educated enough, then how can they teach their children about right, wrong and moral, immoral behavior? Conclusion This paper briefly describes the issues faced by the female population of our society. The role of government and members of society is very vital in reducing the gender gap. Without their assistance, it is not possible to upgrade the status of female population in the regions where females are brutally dishonored. Every member of society needs to understand the sacrifices and comprises which females do for their families and children. Their sacrifices must not go in vain and they must be rewarded for such honorable deed. Honor to female can be provided by presenting them the best possible education, work, status and position in society. It is obvious that females cannot do every that work which is meant for women but to certain extent they can support and facilitate men in accomplishing the allotted task. Works Cited ESCAP. “Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific”. Chapter 3: Gender Inequality Continues – At Great Cost. Web. 4th May 2012. . UNFPA. Counting the Cost of Gender Inequality. n.d. Web. 4th May 2012. . Read More