Forms and Issues of Gender Inequality (Mortality, Natality, Special Opportunity, Professional, Basic Facility, Ownership, and Household Inequality) PE 7(B) Odisha B.Ed & Education Honours

Forms and Issues of Gender Inequality

1. Introduction

Gender inequality refers to the unequal treatment or perception of individuals based on their gender. It manifests in every sphere of life—education, health, employment, ownership, and power dynamics—and creates barriers to equal opportunities for girls, women, and gender minorities.

The Indian society, like many others, is structured in a patriarchal framework, where men traditionally hold more power, status, and resources, and women are assigned subordinate roles. This imbalance results in various forms of gender inequalities, each affecting different aspects of life.

Prominent economist Amartya Sen classified gender inequality into seven key forms—each reflecting a critical dimension of injustice against women.

2. Forms and Issues of Gender Inequality

Let us now discuss the seven major forms in detail:

1. Mortality Inequality

Definition: Discrimination that leads to a higher mortality rate among females than males due to unequal access to healthcare, nutrition, and safety.

Key Features:

• In many countries including India, female child mortality is higher than male.
• Girls are often given less nutritious food, delayed or no medical treatment.
• Neglect during illness or lack of vaccination are common.
• Unsafe abortions, dowry deaths, and female infanticide also contribute.

Implications:

• Alters sex ratio unfavorably (e.g., in India 940 females/1000 males).
• Violates basic right to life and health.
• Increases gender imbalance in the population.

Example:

A family feeding the male child with eggs and milk but giving leftovers to the girl child reflects mortality bias.

2. Natality Inequality

Definition: Discrimination at the birth stage, where sons are preferred over daughters.

Key Features:

• Sex-selective abortion using technologies like ultrasound.
• Pressure from in-laws to give birth to a male child.
• Desire for a male heir leads to multiple pregnancies until a son is born.

Implications:

• Skewed gender ratio at birth.
• Psychological trauma for mothers.
• Reinforces idea that girls are “less valuable”.

Example:

Selective abortion after knowing the fetus is female is a direct example of natality inequality.

Legal Note: The PCPNDT Act, 1994 prohibits sex determination during pregnancy.

3. Special Opportunity Inequality

Definition: Gender-based denial of access to higher education, professional training, or career development opportunities.

Key Features:

• Girls are not allowed to pursue higher education or leave home for studies.
• Families prioritize sons’ coaching, tuitions, and college admissions.
• Girls may be asked to marry early instead of studying.

Implications:

• Reduces female participation in professions like science, law, technology.
• Limits economic independence of women.
• Continues cycle of low status and dependency.

Example:

A boy is sent to Delhi for UPSC coaching, while the girl is told to stay home and learn cooking.

According to ASER Reports, dropout rates among girls in rural areas rise sharply after secondary school.

4. Professional or Employment Inequality

Definition: Disparities in job opportunities, promotions, pay scales, and representation in decision-making roles between men and women.

Key Features:

• Women are under-represented in STEM, leadership, politics, and judiciary.
• Gender pay gap exists in almost every sector.
• Women face glass ceiling, harassment, and lack of maternity support.

Implications:

• Prevents economic empowerment of women.
• Keeps women financially dependent.
• Discourages participation in public leadership roles.

Example:

Two equally qualified candidates apply, but the man is hired over the woman assuming she might take maternity leave soon.

India's female labor force participation is around 25%—much lower than the global average.

5. Basic Facility Inequality

Definition: Unequal access to basic rights and needs such as education, healthcare, sanitation, and nutrition.

Key Features:

• Girls face barriers to school attendance due to lack of toilets or menstruation support.
• Families prefer to spend on boys’ education or health.
• Limited access to sanitary pads, clean water, and safety infrastructure.

Implications:

• Poor educational and health outcomes among girls.
• Reinforces feelings of inferiority and neglect.
• Increases vulnerability to diseases and school dropout.

Example:

A girl drops out of school because there is no separate toilet for girls in the building.

UNICEF studies show that improving girls’ access to basic facilities increases their education retention rate.

6. Ownership Inequality

Definition: Unequal rights in ownership of land, property, income, and assets, mostly in favor of men.

Key Features:

• Daughters are often denied inheritance despite legal rights.
• Land and homes are usually registered in the name of men.
• Women’s work in family farms or businesses goes unrecognized.

Implications:

• Women have less financial control or bargaining power.
• Increases vulnerability to domestic violence and poverty.
• Lack of economic independence restricts freedom of choice.

Example:

After the father’s death, only sons inherit land, while daughters are excluded even if legally entitled.

Hindu Succession Act, 2005 grants equal inheritance rights to daughters, but social customs still hinder its enforcement.

7. Household Inequality

Definition: Unequal division of labor, power, decision-making, and freedom within the family and household.

Key Features:

• Women handle majority of household chores—cooking, cleaning, caregiving—without pay or recognition.
• Men often make financial and life decisions.
• Girls are trained to be homemakers from a young age.

Implications:

• Emotional and physical burden on women.
• Reinforces idea that women’s place is in the home.
• Restricts time and space for education, leisure, and career.

Example:

A mother wakes early to cook for everyone, takes care of children, and works outside—but receives no thanks or share in decisions.

ILO reports show Indian women do 10 times more unpaid care work than men.

3. Comparative Table

4. Educational Implications

As future educators, we must:

• Identify signs of gender inequality in students’ lives.
• Promote gender-sensitive teaching practices.
• Encourage equal participation of boys and girls in all activities.
• Educate students about gender rights, laws, and equality.
• Involve parents and communities in addressing gender gaps.

5. Steps Toward Gender Equity

6. Conclusion

Gender inequality is not just a women’s issue, but a social justice issue. It denies half of the population their basic rights and slows down progress for the entire society.

Each form of inequality—be it in health, birth, education, property, or within the home—requires serious intervention from the state, society, and educators.

As educators and future policy-makers, we must act as change agents to challenge these injustices and build a society where every child—regardless of gender—has equal rights, dignity, and opportunities to thrive.