Women’s Day

March 12th, 2008 by Bronwen Mander

The weather has suddenly turned hot and damp here in Kolkata – 34-38° C (77° F). And it’s only March! I have bought myself a dual layered umbrella to protect me from the sun. I’ve found it is also effective at protecting me from the staring eyes of the locals, which is a constant here, and meteoric bird poop, another regular feature of the Kolkata streets. The umbrella might even be useful fending off hawkers at New Market. Therefore, I’ve decided to carry it with me all the time.

International Women’s Day was on 8 March this year. It is a global event, but as a Westerner coming to India, it has been interesting to see what is happening here in relation to women’s (and other) issues.

Many women are already taking their equal place in India, but the bindings on women in this largely conservative society have been severe (like confining women to the house) and are deeply entrenched. Talking to the Hindu teachers and others, I’ve learned quite a bit about the expectations on Indian women that are still commonly accepted. For instance, women generally still need permission from the their fathers before, and often after, marriage. Marriages are still routinely arranged. One young woman I spoke to was forced to marry and give up her professional dancing. It is also normal for Hindu women to move in with their in-laws when they marry.

Reading the newspapers has in a way, been a ‘life’ saver for me, in the sense that they give me hope. As I see poverty, mess and filth, and sadness all around me on the streets, it’s easy to get a sense of gloom and despair. But in the newspapers I see what is being done at state and national levels to change things.

I don’t know whether the steps taken will ultimately be successful, but the impression is that the politicians and policy makers really want to make India work. And want it to be a thriving country. Whilst I read about some shocking stories, like villagers beating to death a man for accidentally running over a child (this type of mob story is a regular) and women committing suicide because they cant produce a son, I am pleasantly surprised by the steps being taken to support and promote womens’ and girls’ place in this society. Some of the actions taken here in India would never been seen in our so-called egalitarian Western countries.

Orissa, for example, has made it mandatory for technical institutes to provide 30% reservation to women. To stop the drain of women scientists from research streams, a package of incentives is being put together, including flexible working hours, ability to work from home and providing a loan for women to buy a computer. Incentives are also being introduced to keep girls at school, like providing secure hostels for girls who live far from the school and funding for parents to keep their girls at school until they are 18. In the recent railways budget, fares have been cut for women over the age of 60 to a 50% concession, whilst men’s remain at 30%.

Because democracy is highly valued here, and elections are fiercely fought as in any democratic country, there is a real sense of momentum and development of India as a country. I find these things very encouraging and really feel that India is on its way to becoming one of the most successful countries. How long it takes, is yet to be seen.