Abstract
With in the past two decades globalization has had a huge impact on the lives of women in developing nations. Globalisation may be denoted as a complex economic, political, cultural and geographic process in which the mobility of capital, organizations, ideas, discourses and people has taken a global or transnational form. Although women are increasingly active in community support systems, gender disparities persist in public positions at all levels. Although the humiliation, harassment and exploitation of women have been a common feature throughout history, such treatment has become more widespread with globalization. To understand the work place culture for Indian women, a brief note on women empowerment in the present global scenario is highly essential. In many cases women are deprived of an equal voice even while they are taking up increasing community leadership roles as men.
Introduction
The aim of the current article is to provide an introduction into some of the key issues pertaining to women at work. A concise summary of some of the key matters related to women at work will be presented with a concentrated focus on issues related to occupational segregation and the gendered division of domestic duties at home. Globalization an ageing work force and increasing migration continue to affect world economics, high lighting the need to retain and maintain work forced for a sustainable future.
Principles of women’s empowerment
Empowering women to participate fully in economic life across all sectors is essential to build stronger economics achieve internationally agrees goals for development and sustainability, and improve the quality of life for women, men, families and communities.
The private sector is a key partner in efforts to advance gender equality and empower women. Current research demonstrating that gender diversity helps businesses perform better signals that self-intrest and common interest can come together. Yet ensuring the inclusion of women’s talents skills and energies from executive offices to the factory floor an the supply chain requires intentional actions and deliberate policies.
In brief the Principles
· Establish high level corporate leadership for gender equality
· Treat all women and men fairly at work – respect and support human rights and non discrimination.
· Ensure the health, safety and well being of all women and men workers.
· Promote education training and professional development for women.
· Implement enterprise development supply chain and marketing practices that empower women.
· Promote equality through community initiatives and advocacy.
· Measure the progress to achieve gender equality.
Hazards faced by working women at the work place
Majority of women working in the organized sector have been employed in the public sector. But with restructuring and downsizing of work force in the public sector and government departments, as a part of the neo-liberal policies, women are the first to be retrenched, because of the general perception that women’s income is supplementary. Women have been forced to go on VRS in some banks, under threat to transfer to far-off places.
Large number of women work in schools, hospitals, as sales persons in shops, in plantations and in construction sites etc. It is found that even in many government hospitals and schools, there are no separate toilets for women. Lack of such basic facilities like toilets, rest rooms, dining spaces, etc. at the work place cause a lot of physical discomfort and mental stress besides leading to several urinary tract and other diseases, particularly pregnant women.
Sexual Harassment in the work place
Sexual harassment is another serious hazard faced by working women. Whether in the organized or unorganized sector, whether illiterate, low paid workers or highly educated and highly paid executives, a large number of working women face sexual harassment at the work place. Nearly a decade after the Supreme Court judgement in the Visakha case, the government is yet to bring legislation against sexual harassment at work place. Even the Supreme Court guidelines of constituting complaints committees amending standing orders, creating awareness etc have not been implemented in most of the establishments.
Hazards related to the Attitude of society and family
Even today looking after the family and children is generally perceived to be the primary responsibility of women. With the state retreating from its minimum responsibilities of providing welfare measures and privatization of basic services like health, education etc. women are forced to spend more time and energies on these responsibilities towards their children and other family members.
Though more and more women are coming out in search of paid employment and their families also need their income, the attitude towards women and their role in the family has not undergone much change. Women are continued to be perceived as weak, inferior and second-class citizens. In capitalist society this feudal attitude is utilized by the capitalist classes to further exploit women and increase their profits. Because of this perception that they alone are responsible for the domestic work, leads to a feeling of guilt when they are not able to look after the children or the family due to their official work, often resulting in emotional disorders.
Hazards faced by women in trade union
Working women face double burden due to their domestic and official responsibilities. That is one of the important reasons for women not coming forward to take more responsibilities in the trade unions. It is very rare to find family support for women who play an active role in trade union activities. Besides the physical burden women trade union activists often become victims of character assassination. There have been many instances where women trade union leaders had to face physical and mental violence, including attempts to murder themselves and murder their family members, because of their trade union activities.
Conclusion
Thus while discussing the issues and concerns about working women the main emphasis should be on the “Opportunities for women” as it is of utmost importance. Like every human being, a women has a natural desire for the expression of her inborn knack and abilities. So if a women learns something she craves for expressing it in some way. The service sector has increased the chances for women with its comfortable environment, where they can actively participate and excel, even from a distant place. Hence, if the focus is right this issue will hopefully, find its way towards a positive solution.
– Dr.R.Shani Ruskin
Assistant Professor in History, Providence College for Women, Coonoor , The Nilgiris.
Reference
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