Discrimination At The Foundation: The Low Presence Of Women In Higher Learning And Work Spaces In India

Abstract

The modern idea of liberal equality seeks for non-discrimination on the basis of ascribed values associated with birth and misfortune which are not associated with agency driven volition of the individual. Democratic republics of the world generally espouse the values of non-discrimination which include gender justice. The Democratic republican constitution of India is not an exception to the rule. But putting the precepts in to practice is a very formidable challenge.

India has long civilization continuity and also structurally inbuilt inequalities. The emancipative struggles against inequality and lack of freedom in the social and cultural realm were more manifest from 19^th century along with the struggles for political economic emancipation from the colonial yoke.   Since the formation of democratic republic efforts are on to reduce gender discrimination and build gender party at the policy and statutory level s.   Since 1970s national polices were made for women. In spite of all this there is a stark gap between genders which is compounded reticence in the socio-cultural realm. Tardy progress of statutory equality and visible discrimination and underrepresentation of women in the learning and work spaces is   evidently visible and seems to be deeply embedded. The empirical evidences are not in favour gender justice to say the least.

This paper looks into the gender gap two spaces in the public sphere in India namely the higher education and   higher work spaces. It attempts to explain the reasons for such state of affairs and possible short term and medium term measures to reduce such gap.