Gender Bias

GENDER BIAS

Gender Bias is having a preference towards a particular sex, sometimes referred to as Sex Bias. It is unequal treatment, sexual discrimination, and expectations due to attitudes based on the sex of an individual. Some people prefer one sex over another in social settings and work environments.

CONSEQUENCES OF GENDER BIAS

1. Payment not equal or unequal wages:

Women generally are less than men. It doesn’t matter how educated a woman is, she still makes less than a man in a similar position. All industries are guilty of allowing such discriminatory comportment in the workplace. No matter what position a woman chooses, she will be paid less. April 4 is considered to be Equal Pay Day.

2. Denied promotions:

There is plenty of evidence that many women are frequently denied promotions and other work opportunities. Even women who attend great schools and receive the same training as men will still have a hard time climbing the ladder. For some of them, the ladder may not even be available.

3. Glass ceiling effect:

The glass ceiling effect is the pervasive resistance to the efforts of women and minorities to reach the top ranks of management in major corporations. In most cases, women are generally not regarded as a serious threat to men in the corporate sector. The perception was that women would take extensive time off or leave the workforce altogether once they had children. If women did return to work, they were believed to be less dedicated employees because of their maternal duties.

4. Sexual Harassment More Prevalent:

When gender discrimination exists, the company culture might be less attentive to sexual harassment. In such a culture, victims of sexual harassment are usually less likely to come forward with complaints than they would be in an atmosphere that embraces both genders.

5. Some obstacles:

One of the main problems women face is the need to balance work and family. Many of these women are involved in household activities that drain their energy and slow them down at work. Gender stereotypes are very difficult to change and most women will have to deal with them sooner or later.

Therefore, let’s hope and wish that our participative democracy, in times to come, and with the efforts of both women and men, would be able to find solutions to the problem of gender bias and would take us all toward our cherished dream of a truly modern society in both thought and action. In 2013, the Government of India notified the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act.