It is crucial to strike a balance between ensuring equal rights and opportunities for all and preventing the exploitation of these principles for personal gain.
Are we somehow subjected to unintended consequences in Gender Dynamics?
The pursuit of equality has been a cornerstone of societal progress, aiming to create a fair and just world for all. However, is justice achieved in the true sense? Are we actually while preaching equality giving a blind eye to the inequalities?
Today, when I have picked up my pen to write the truth, I may be questioned by many. The readers are requested to read this piece of article as a human rather being just any gender.
In the pursuit of this noble goal- the Right to Equality, there have been instances where the concept of equality seems to have backfired, leading to unintended consequences.
One area where this paradox is particularly evident is in the realm of gender dynamics. While striving for gender equality is essential, there are cases where certain individuals, often women, misuse the concept to their advantage, putting many in difficult situations.
There are instances where the principle of equality has led to inequalities, with a focus on situations where false accusations have destroyed many lives and taking advantage in the name of equality has put many at a disadvantage situation.
Equality in Theory and Practice
Equality, in theory, implies the fair treatment of all individuals regardless of gender, race, or any other characteristic. The aim is to create a level playing field where everyone has equal opportunities and rights. In the context of gender, achieving equality has been a long and hard-fought battle, resulting in significant progress in various parts of the world.
However, in some cases, the pursuit of equality has taken a distorted form, with certain individuals using the rhetoric of equality to gain an upper hand in specific situations.
Divorce Cases
One area where the unintended consequences of the push for equality are evident is in divorce proceedings. While the intention behind equitable divorce laws is to ensure fair treatment for both parties, some individuals, often women, misuse these laws to their advantage. Instances of false accusations of domestic violence, child abuse, or other forms of misconduct during divorce proceedings have been reported.
These false accusations can have severe consequences for the accused, tarnishing their reputation and affecting their chances of fair custody arrangements. In some cases, individuals resort to exaggerating or fabricating claims to gain an upper hand in the legal battle, exploiting the principles of equality for personal gain. Many men losing their battle for truth have come to the streets losing their hard-earned property.
False Dowry Cases
The issue of dowry has been a longstanding concern in many societies, leading to legal measures aimed at eradicating this practice. While the goal of these measures is to protect women from dowry-related harassment, some individuals manipulate these laws for their benefit.
False dowry cases are filed against husbands and their families, often with the intent of extracting financial gains or seeking revenge in marital disputes. The presumption of guilt that comes with such accusations can be detrimental to the accused, even if the claims are later proven false.
Lalit happily married Nikita (names changed) lavishly and they shifted to Australia where Lalit worked in a reputed organization. After, six months Lalit found Nikita missing with all the jewellery and files of their newly purchased home in India. After a few days, he realized that he had been charged with dowry and harassment. The law brought Lalit to the streets losing everything.
The Victim Card
In some instances, individuals play the victim card to garner sympathy and support, using the narrative of inequality to justify their actions. While it is crucial to recognize and address genuine cases of injustice and discrimination, the misuse of victimhood perpetuates a cycle of distrust and skepticism, undermining the broader goals of achieving true equality.
A boy in the seventh standard of a reputed school comes home and asks his parents, “Why do our teachers always listen to the girls even though they are lying?” He narrates how girls in his class have the power to get any boy punished as the girls’ voices were always regarded as right by the teachers.
Eve-teasing and Classroom Concerns
In contemporary classrooms, a concerning trend has emerged where instances of eve-teasing or harassment perpetrated by girls against boys often go unnoticed or unaddressed. This phenomenon sheds light on a significant disparity in how complaints are handled, with a tendency to favour girls and subject boys to biases, impacting the overall learning environment.
One of the primary challenges lies in the prevailing stereotypes that associate harassment predominantly with male aggressors and female victims. While it is undeniable that harassment affects individuals of all genders, the societal narrative tends to overlook instances where girls are the perpetrators. This oversight can contribute to an environment where boys may be hesitant to report incidents, fearing disbelief or dismissal of their concerns.
The classroom dynamics, influenced by societal norms and gender biases, may inadvertently create an atmosphere where girls are automatically trusted and their complaints against boys are registered without a thorough examination of the facts. This bias can lead to the marginalization of boys who may be experiencing harassment, leaving them without the support and validation they need.
A boy of just 10 years gets bullied by a group of girls where he refuses to fight back and his complaints to the teachers go unheard, as he has been trained at home not to come into any dispute with girls or raise his voice on girls. Finally, he faces severe depression and has to be taken out of that school.
Gender Disparities in Job Assignments
The issue of gender equality in the workplace has been a global concern, with efforts made to ensure that both men and women have equal opportunities and are treated fairly. However, in certain professions, particularly in the military, concerns have been raised regarding disparities in job assignments based on gender.
The Indian Army, like many other armed forces worldwide, has been working towards greater gender inclusivity. In recent years, there have been significant strides in allowing women to serve in various roles traditionally reserved for men. However, challenges persist in ensuring equal opportunities, particularly in combat roles and leadership positions.
Proponents of equal opportunities argue that physical capability should not be the sole determinant for job assignments. However, opponents express concerns about the practicality and effectiveness of deploying women in certain combat roles without compromising unit cohesion or operational effectiveness.
However, if it is the question of equality, men, and women must get the opportunity to get exactly the same training procedure without discrimination if job assignments have to be equal. Women are capable and henceforth, there shouldn’t be any difference in training or assigning any kind of role along with postings to field areas.
It is crucial for the military and policymakers to address training disparities to ensure that women have equal opportunities to serve in all capacities.
When we raise our voices for the Right to Equality, can we surrender to silence when equality leads to inequality?
While the pursuit of equality is a commendable and necessary endeavour, it is essential to acknowledge and address the unintended consequences that may arise.
It is crucial to strike a balance between ensuring equal rights and opportunities for all and preventing the exploitation of these principles for personal gain. Society must remain vigilant and work towards fostering a culture where genuine cases of injustice are addressed without compromising the overarching goal of equality for all.
Mousumi Kalita Sachdeva is the Founder-Director of Griffin Publication, an Editor, and author of nine books.