The Global Gender Gap Report 2021 published by World Economic Forum has remarked that though progress has been made we are still 135 years away from a state of gender equality. This points to the deep and entrenched patriarchal structures of various societies across the globe. The civilizational ‘progress’ of various sorts has not in any substantial way altered the male-dominated arenas of familial and social life. The progress in science and technology, the growth of economies, and the evolution of different knowledge systems among other things have unfortunately been ineffective to frustrate the sexist nature of social institutions. Barring certain nations and societies, women are cornered to the margins and periphery of institutions having little say in power corridors and decision-making institutions.
Women who comprise almost half of the global population remain alienated from various institutions whose work and decisions have a decisive impact on their lives. On the political front, the percentage of women in national parliaments and legislatures is significantly lower as compared to their share in the population. For example in India, there are roughly 14% of women in the current Lok Sabha which though higher than the previous Lok Sabha is still marginal. The scenario does not change when it comes to the composition of different state legislatures. In fact, the disempowerment of women on the political front is more severe as compared with other aspects of social life.
The facts and data on the economic side are not encouraging too. Economic empowerment is at the centre of the overall empowerment of women but the facts reveal a distressing and dismal picture. There exist glaring income disparities between men and women. Economic participation and opportunities though on a trajectory remain strikingly low. As per the Observer Research Foundation, “Gender inequality in land ownership is found globally, but it is especially notable in the developing world. Less than one-third of landowners in South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America are women. The figures are as low as 14 percent in India, and 11 percent in Brazil.” So, alongside the political alienation, there is a strong sense of economic dispossession among women.
It is highly encouraging to see that more girls are being enrolled in educational institutions and the gap between boys and girls is narrowing with the passing of time but here too the disparities are clear and visible. As of 2021, there is a literacy gap of almost 14 % between men and women in India. The more unfortunate part of the story is that the gap is more profound and wide when it comes to the rural populations.
So there exists a pattern of male-centric nature and tilt of important institutions of society. This suggests a deep and profound structural and system bias towards a particular gender. The systemic bias in all these institutions makes them exclusionary and unjust. The patriarchal and exclusionary character of these institutions tends to hold the basic structure intact and works towards the perpetuation of the interest of one gender at the cost of another.
All this culminates in a severe form of discrimination and exploitation of women in almost all aspects of social life. The familial value systems tend to marginalize and disempower women. The cultural values at large reflect the penetration of patriarchal assumptions. The overall design, structure and construction of society are centered around patriarchal notions and belief systems. The (mis)interpretation of life is done in a way to justify all these constructed values.
A noted radical Feminist Simone de Beauvoir remarks “To discriminate against women is to rob humanity of its potential for greatness. Emancipating women is not just a moral imperative; it is an intellectual and social necessity”. The emancipation of women and a discrimination-free world is a virtue in itself but at the same, it can have tremendous value for humanity at large. The vision of a just world is a vision for progress and overall prosperity.
The missing half of our population in different socio-economic, political and other institutions and the widespread exploitation women face leads to their estrangement. Their interests and their issues can’t be effectively addressed until and unless they are active participants. While we often talk of deliberative and participatory democracy, can it ever materialise if one-half of the population remains marginalised?
This all demands a change in the existing policy framework but more than that it demands a change in perceptions. We need to unlearn certain things and move beyond our assumptions so that a vision of an equitable world is realised. A social change requires a change in how people think and perceive things. Through a change of perceptions, there is a need to deconstruct different values which hold the structure intact. The cause of women is a cause of humanity and we must put up a collective fight towards a just and equitable world free of discrimination and alienation.
The writers are pursuing Masters in Political Science at the University of Kashmir. Feedback at [email protected]

Muneeb Afzal and Liyaqat