Hello friends,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I am Krishnan from the Covai Vani podcast team and in this podcast I am going to be in
conversation with Revathi Bhasker and Malati Jaikumar, my colleagues and friends from the
same team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hi Revathi and Malati,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As always, lovely doing a podcast with you, how are you both today?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Revathi<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hi from Revathi! We are fine and looking forward to the podcast which I presume is on the Big Malati<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hello everybody. I am Malati and I am really thrilled to be involved in a discussion on a topic Krishnan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When I was thinking about the status of women not only in India, but across the world, except in Just one statistic before we begin. Recently, New Zealand Cricket announced a pay equity deal You know India has some really tremendous male dominance issues. I say this with a lot of Why has India slipped so badly in the last few years with the gender inequality ranking standing Let me begin by asking you, Revathi, why are we so poor in the rankings and what do you think Revathi<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Global Gender Gap Index is based on 4 parameters – Economic Participation and The index Economic Participation and Opportunity<\/strong> considers the participation of women in The educational attainment<\/strong> sub-index considers primary, secondary, and tertiary education. Political empowerment<\/strong> is the sub-index where India is ranked the highest at 48. More women India is placed at the very bottom of the health and survival<\/strong> sub-index. Anaemia\u2014the marker Krishnan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Malati let me ask you, what you think are the main issues in women being so deprived of their Malati<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The fundamental causes are the patriarchal society in India, widespread poverty, illiteracy and It is indeed a crime to be born a girl in India. The discrimination begins right at home. It is On the education front even if a girl goes to school there are more dropouts at an early age as As for the Bill granting one third reservation for women in Parliament it could have been passed Krishnan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There will be millions of examples of gender inequality in India, but could you give me some Revathi<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Women are programmed only to give, while men are subconsciously taught to take. She In the name of traditions and culture, girls have always been projected as less important than for expecting or new mothers still exist. Further, subjecting girls to mental, physical, sexual, By placing women on a pedestal \u2013 to be a perfect daughter, wife, mother, and glorifying the Krishnan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Malati, what do you think are the challenges before Government, judiciary and civil society?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Malathi<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The major challenge for the Government is the implementation of its policies. This could be due The main challenge for the Judiciary is the inordinate delay even in hearing a case let alone But civil society remains the root cause for spawning gender division and is the most difficult to Krishnan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I am going to throw the floor open as I feel you both are more than capable of taking this What are we missing out on by not maximizing the talents of both genders?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Revathi<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If we could maximise the talents of both genders, everyone could enjoy equal opportunities. It Krishnan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n What do you imagine our country will be like if we get anywhere near gender parity? And what Revathi<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We will be a nation of men and women who can be torch bearers in almost every field be it Krishnan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Greater gender equality can boost economic growth, enhance productivity, improve But we have to make sure we do it right. No discriminatory wages, no part time work, no low Krishnan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, one big issue that we don\u2019t think will go away on its own. How can we improve the life of Malati<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Most people are afraid of transgenders because of their aggressive behavior in public not Some like Sathyasri Sharmila, the first transgender lawyer; Manab\u00ed Bandopadhya first college Krishnan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Trans people experience the reality of inequality, untouchability, revulsion and exclusion every Many years ago, as part of my work with underprivileged children, I chanced upon a meeting I recall here in Hindi, what one of them said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Arrey tum log hamesha poochte ho Government kya karti hai aap logon ke liye? Reservation Hame sirf Izzat chahiye. Aap log hame nazar girake mat dekhiye, hum bhi aap ke jaise hain. Thank you Revathi and Malati,<\/p>\n\n\n\n This conversation will hopefully add more voices to flagging up another critical issue that Thank you for your patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is Malati, Revathi and Krishnan bidding a goodbye on behalf of the Covai Vani Team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n by\u00a0<\/strong>Revathi Bhasker and Radhika Sridharan residents of Covai S3 Retirement Community<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Reblog \u2013 originally published as a podcast at <\/strong>CovaiVani<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Hello friends, I am Krishnan from the Covai Vani podcast team and in this podcast I am going to be inconversation with Revathi Bhasker and Malati Jaikumar, my colleagues and friends from thesame team. Hi Revathi and Malati, As always, lovely doing a podcast with you, how are you both today? 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Gender Divide?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
that is very close to my heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
a REALLY few progressive countries, your names were the first to come to mind, as both are
liberated women and achievers. Malati was a journalist, Communication specialist with
experience in the British High Commission and UNDP, and is a writer and author. Revathi is an
economist, banker, writer and social network innovator. Both are ideal podcast companions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
so women and men earn the same match fees. That was really good to read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
pain and anguish in my mind, as I believe that we men are more responsible than women for
this problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
at 135 among a total of 146 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index 2022?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
are the reasons?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health and Survival, and Political Empowerment.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
the workforce and the pay gap. Though more women have moved into paid work and
leadership positions, societal expectations, employer policies, the legal environment and the
amount of care-work continue to impact their career trajectories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiatives, India still lags behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
in political leadership tend to create a powerful role model effect with decisions representing a
broader spectrum of population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
of women\u2019s health as well as female morbidity and mortality presents an alarming picture. As
compared to 25.7% of men, 57% of women had anaemia, which means that nutrition is a huge
concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
rights, even when our constitution guarantees it? For example, the bill granting one third
reservation of seats for women in Parliament has been pending for years! And in India it seems
to be a crime to be born a girl child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
unemployment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
shocking to know that 1000 girls die before reaching the age of five. Some are killed soon after
birth or even as a fetus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
they are needed to cook and clean at home and look after smaller children. Girls being
educated are still well below 50 per cent. Even educated women are not aware of their rights.
They are mentally conditioned to accept all forms of humiliation. As part of a patriarchal society
they have no voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
if not for political and caste nuances. It is true that in some rural areas there are more women
Gram Pradhans than before. But they are a figurehead. In reality their husbands, brothers, and
fathers run the show. So while on paper there is more women participation, in actual fact the
men call the shots. However, there is no doubt that women form a huge part of the vote bank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
main areas where women and girl children are treated as even lesser beings than second class
citizens?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
struggles to say \u2018no\u2019, while he cannot accept a \u2018no\u2019. Throughout her life, a woman is dictated to
\u2013 right from her choice of clothes, to type of education or job, when to get married, when to
have kids, how to be lady-like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
boys, affecting even the basic quality of life. Girls and women have internalized these unwritten
rules so much over generations, that they also consider themselves as second class citizens.
Female infanticide, abandoning girl babies in garbage bins, or rivers, lack of proper healthcare<\/p>\n\n\n\n
financial, moral abuse is not uncommon. The number of cases of acid attacks, eve teasing,
rapes, human trafficking, dowry related crimes continue to remain high. The tragedy is that the
victims are atrociously shamed more than the perpetrator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201csuper woman\u201d, we continue to set an impossible target for women, guilt tripping them to
sacrifice their whole and soul for the family, without considering their own health or life choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
to muscle power and corruption at various levels. There are not enough checks and balances to
ensure that the policies are enforced. Another stumbling block is the financial factor. All budgets
be it the Health Budget or the Women and Child Budget include women in the overall scheme.
But that is not enough to make a big difference. What is needed is a good look at a specific
gendered budgeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
giving a judgment due to the massive backlog. Justice delayed is justice denied. Women
sometimes do not take recourse to legal measures because they have lost faith in swift and
impartial judgments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
fight because it has totally permeated society at all levels \u2013 both rich and poor. Women
themselves are the worst perpetrators of evil against women. Dominant male members in a
family pressurize women to suppress and humiliate the younger female members. Domestic
violence and physical abuse at home teaches the boys to treat all women with scant respect.
Local customs and cultural practices also play a very big role in this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
discussion to another level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
would do good to children, marginalized groups, business, economy and
thus foster peace. A diverse workplace which includes gender diversity is a productive
workplace. Equal education and jobs also significantly reduce poverty rates, lifting an entire
nation and improving its GDP. Gender equality is also good for men<\/strong> – When there is gender
equality, men have more freedom about how they express themselves. This extends into
the career field, as well, since no job is considered \u201cfor women only.\u201d Men receive parental
leave and family time without discrimination. Increased freedom of expression and flexible work
choices leads to happiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
impact do you think it will have on our productivity as a nation?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
sports, arts, education, science, etc. The impact on productivity will be phenomenal. When
women get equal opportunity they will boost the economy, the health sector will be more
inclusive, all areas of science will see an impetus and more stars will be born in Sports and the
creative fields. All in all, we will be a nation to reckon with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
development outcomes for the next generation, and make institutions more representative.
Research shows that if we had gender parity in the workforce, global GDP could go up by more
than 12% over the next two decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
paying, low productivity assignments, more women in critical management functions.
Empowering women is an equal responsibility if our goal is to improve our nations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
transgenders? A lot is being done, but is that enough? This concerns us in our daily life and
needs greater attention, don\u2019t you think?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
realizing that they are driven to it as a last resort. Even if it is not a visible congenital defect their
destiny is decided at the moment of their birth. The parents and the family reject and abandon
or kill the baby. From then onwards the child faces taunts, humiliation and mental abuse.
Schools reject them and education is denied to them. About 92 per cent of transgenders are
deprived of their rights and refused jobs. They live with a sense of isolation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Principal, and the first transgender Judge Joyita Mondal have tried to change the attitude of
people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
day of their lives. Yet, like all other human beings, trans people have fundamental rights \u2013 to
life, liberty, equality, health, privacy, speech, and expression but are denied these.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
with a group of transgender people and the words of one of them left a deep impact on me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
dena chahiye, special status dena chahiye, vageraih vagairah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bas hame apne me ek samjo. Hum sub sambhal lenge.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
impacts our lives. After all, greater awareness can bring about greater changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n