Women Discrimination - Case Study Example

Running Head: Women Discrimination Women Discrimination [Institute’s Women Discrimination This is a manifestation ofthe fact that every society differentiates its men and women and prescribes separate sets of values, norms and role specifications for the two-gender categories. Although such a differentiation, in principle, does not lead to the superiority and dominance of one group over the other, in practice gender dissimilarity is translated into gender inequality. This study adopted an integrated and holistic viewpoint that includes the most critical issues simultaneously in a multi-dimensional framework. The present research work has focused on discrimination against women in one of the traditional eastern countries, Pakistan, where the women are discriminated in almost all lifestyles. In the selected country, it has been observed that since decades, women are confronting discrimination in various fields, such as education, sports, workplace, marriage, etc. In terms of Pakistani society, it is a traditional male-dominated society, where most of the decisions are made by men, whereas, women are required to obey and follow such decisions. Sports are one of the activities that enrich mind and body at the same time, and therefore, women should be provided with similar opportunities in the field of sports. Conclusively, paper has tried to understand and discuss different aspects of the discrimination that are faced by women in different countries of the globe, specifically, Pakistan. Contents Introduction 4 Education 6 Sports 8 Conclusion 10 References 11 Introduction This is a manifestation of the fact that every society differentiates its men and women and prescribes separate sets of values, norms and role specifications for the two-gender categories. Although such a differentiation, in principle, does not lead to the superiority and dominance of one group over the other, in practice gender dissimilarity is translated into gender inequality. This inferior status of women has been taken as a self-evident fact of nature. Its multi-faceted dimensions have started unfolding only recently after social scientists have increasingly engaged in reflective and multi-pronged analysis of this critical issue. Despite the importance of this problem, relatively little research on discrimination against women has appeared in literature. Moreover, relatively less has been done in terms of formulating a multi-dimensional framework addressing the consequences and causes of gender disparity. Many researchers have attempted to discover evidence about a part of the whole process. Previous research has investigated women issues within limited framework, one issue at a time. This study adopted an integrated and holistic viewpoint that includes the most critical issues simultaneously in a multi-dimensional framework. (Landrine, 1997) The purpose of this study was to fill some of these gaps. This study attempted to determine the most important and influential factors that have significant impacts on overall gender discrimination. Specifically, the study attempted to systematically, discover evidence about the causes of sex-based discrimination. The present research work has focused on discrimination against women in one of the traditional eastern countries, Pakistan. The women are discriminated in almost all lifestyles. Discrimination against women is one of the leading social problems worldwide. It manifests even at the time a baby is born. As children, girls are provided with dolls to play, and boys usually play with toys like guns and airplanes. (UNCHR, 1997) The researcher has made a humble attempt to assess the abovementioned problem. In general, eastern societies are still tradition-oriented societies, and women discrimination is one of the common problems in eastern part of the globe. However, such societies are changing gradually, but majority of the population confronts such social issue, which needs to be discussed and resolved through such attempts of research. With regard to women discrimination, some exceptions aside, men have imposed a subordinate status on women in societies, both eastern, as well as, western. Available statistics indicate the extent of the problem globally. Sufficient details are available to show the intensity of the problem world over. In the United States, a rape occurs every six minutes and violence occurs once in fifty percent of all marriage. In Canada, one in every four women can expect to be sexually assaulted at some point in her life. In France, ninety-five percent of the victims of discrimination are women. (Bhardwaj, 2005) In Chile, eighty percent of women acknowledged being victims of discrimination in their lives. However, it has been observed that no western societies discriminate women at a public level. On the other hand, eastern societies discriminate women at a personal, as well as, a public level, which will be specifically discussed in this paper. In specific, fields of education and sports have been considered in this paper, where the women of eastern societies, especially Pakistan, are discriminated at an extensive level. In most countries of the South Asian region, there were reports of discrimination against women. The birth of a girl child is seldom welcome. A very high percentage of South Asian citizens prefer a son rather than a daughter. According to a survey of thirty-eight countries, highest preference of having a son was observed in Pakistan, which was highest amongst the other countries. In Pakistan, more than seventy percent of women confront discrimination in their homes, offices, public places, and other lifestyles. In Pakistani villages, young girls are not sent to schools and parents prefer their daughters to work from the ages of seven to nine. In India, similar gesture of men against women has been noted by a number of researches, as both countries have similar cultural practices and constitute of villages and illiterate people in these areas. (Gregory, 2003) Education In the selected country, it has been observed that since decades, women are confronting discrimination in various fields, such as education, sports, workplace, marriage, etc. In terms of Pakistani society, it is a traditional male-dominated society, where most of the decisions are made by men, whereas, women are required to obey and follow such decisions. In this regard, one of the usual practices of this male-dominated society is that girls are not allowed to acquire education and go to schools. In majority of the villages, male landlords own the villages and manage the practices, it is a rule that girls should live and stay in four-walled houses and not allowed to go out and educate themselves. In the result, when mothers are illiterate, new generation of these illiterate mothers remains illiterate, this results in an intellectually backward society. Education is important for women, because it provided important means for their empowerment. Apart from the acquisition of knowledge and values, education provides many other benefits. The development of the mind, training and analytical thinking skills accrue through education. Enhanced self-esteem and improved social status is a direct outcome of education. (Mullally, 2006) Therefore, all genders should be provided with education. For better parenting and healthier living, an important factor is the education, which plays a vital role in human lives. It is beyond doubt that educating girls can yield a higher rate of return than any other investment. According to statistical reports, only thirty-two percent of Pakistani women are educated until present, which is a very shameful percent. Furthermore, only five percent of this thirty-two percent of educated women have reached the level of graduation, whereas, other women have done matriculation or just high school, which is a live example of what kind of discrimination, women confront in Pakistan. (Bhardwaj, 2005) It is a known and acceptable fact that education is the foremost priority and right of every citizen of the globe, and the countries that have considered this priority has came out to be a developed and recognized nation in this world. On the other hand, women play a vital and crucial role in the development of children, homes, and families, and therefore, it is very imperative that educational opportunities should be provided to them. In urban areas of Pakistan, studies have indicated that people are more aware and literate, and therefore, a majority of women is provided with facilities of education. Still, some percent of families in urban areas do not allow their girls to go and study. (Peer, 1992) One of the major reasons of this discrimination is narrow-minded perspective of Islam, which tends women to stay in covering, and stay in four-walled boundary, which is a wrong interpretation of Islam, which requires both men and women to acquire education, and which converse about equality of men and women. On the other hand, a majority of families, especially in the tribal areas of Pakistan forbids education of female. In extreme cases, girls’ schools and colleges are burnt down by extremists, in order to stop provision of education to women, which is a shameful reality of women discrimination in the country. Similar cases have been observed in several other eastern countries, and it is very important that proper awareness should be given to public in general. A number of non-governmental organizations have carried out different surveys and studies, which have indicated that an extreme hostile environment is being confronted by Pakistani women in the country. In addition, the government usually ignores issues and concerns related to women. Recently, a number of steps have been taken to ensure secure and comfortable environment to women; however, it will still take years to aware majority of the public regarding the rights of women. In this regard, it is very important that discriminatory laws should be improved by legal system of the country. As earlier mentioned in the paper that Islam guarantee equality and freedom of both genders, women of the country are confronting a major problem in acquiring education, which is one of the foremost and important requirements of a healthy life. Sports In light of abovementioned conditions of women in Pakistan and neighboring eastern countries, it can be said that women are discriminated extensively, and confront a number of difficulties during their lives. Now the paper will look into the available literature that converse about participation of women in the field of sports. As earlier mentioned in the paper that gradual changes have been observed in attitudes of people towards women; however, still, majority of women confronts many difficulties in their participation in sports due to a number of factors, which will be discussed in following section of the paper. Surveys and studies have shown that girls during their schooling are allowed to participate in sports activities; whereas, girls in colleges are often not allowed to participate in sport activities. In specific, co-education is one of the factors that result in restrictions from parents. It is an observation that parents restrict their daughters to participate in sport activities, as sports require specific clothing that does not cover whole body of girls, and such clothing is considered as prohibited by majority of public in the country. In the result, a number of talented girls are not allowed to continue their sport activities due to such a narrow-minded perspective of clothing. In this regard, it has been observed that only twenty percent of girls represent the country in sports, as compared with eighty percent of boys participating in different sport activities. One of the specific examples is swimming, which requires swimming costume, and therefore, parents and society does not encourage girls to take part in water sports, which may show their body parts to the public. (Bhardwaj, 2005) Again, there is an urgent and important need to aware the public and previous generation regarding the equality of women. In this regard, a number of steps have been taken by the government through separate sporting events of females, which has resulted in a minimal growth in female participation in such sports. On the other hand, females from broad-minded families also confront discrimination on selection level, as most of the selectors are usually males, and therefore, studies have indicated that men are mostly preferred to represent on provincial or national level, as compared with girls. Girls are usually not selected due to religious reasons, as a majority of the population practice traditionally, which requires female coverings, and so, selectors avoid selection of females, which may result in any conflict between selectors and religious leaders. In other words, a major cause of women discrimination in Pakistan and other eastern countries is the narrow-minded perspective of public, especially in rural areas, which does not encourage women to participate in any kind of activities, and are meant for nurturing children, and for keeping their husbands happy sexually. (Mullally, 2006) In this regard, house chores are preferred by eastern society, as compared with education and sports for women. Women also confront discrimination from governmental organizations, as very few steps have been taken by state to promote and encourage women in the field of sports. Until recently, there was no ministry for women, and no department was made for such purpose. However, some steps are being taken by the Pakistani government to ensure provision of proper rights to women by formation of ministry of women development and similar other departments, which are endeavoring to ensure reduction in women discrimination in the country. Conclusion In summary, it was discussed in the paper that despite the importance of problem of women discrimination, relatively little research on discrimination against women has appeared in literature. Moreover, relatively less has been done in terms of formulating a multi-dimensional framework addressing the consequences and causes of gender disparity. Statistics have shown that a very little percentage of women are allowed to acquire education, and there is an urgent need to provide awareness public in general. Sports are one of the activities that enrich mind and body at the same time, and therefore, women should be provided with similar opportunities in the field of sports. Conclusively, paper has tried to understand and discuss different aspects of the discrimination that are faced by women in different countries of the globe, specifically, Pakistan. Moreover, different methodologies were discussed that can be implemented for the improvement of present conditions that does not allow participation of women in the field of education, sports, etc. It is hoped that the paper will be beneficial for the students, teachers, experts, and nonprofessionals in the better understanding of the topic. References Hope Landrine. (1997). Discrimination against Women: Prevalence, Consequences, and Remedies. Sage Publications. Mohammed Peer. (1992). Discrimination against Women. Mangalore University. Prem R. Bhardwaj. (2005). Gender Discrimination. Anamika Publishers & Distributors. Raymond F. Gregory. (2003). Women and Workplace Discrimination. Rutgers University Press. Siobhan Mullally. (2006). Gender, Culture, and Human Rights. Hart Publishers. UNCHR. (1997). Discrimination against Women. UNCHR Press. Read More