Economic Subordination of Women: Why we need to talk about it.
To arrive at a balanced equation that preludes to a society that is inclusive in nature can a slow process. The change of dynamics in the everchanging world is proving time and again to be flimsy. Arriving at gender equality to be something of great importance, the world seems to forget the actual value of equality and equity. Blurring the sexual division and pretending to be superficially gender inclusive is a forefront to attract an audience in this 21st century that will guarantee popularity. The issue of women and minority rights have been overlooked at its best where policy makers themselves do not realize the need for change. The subordination women face in an everyday life is a topic that needs to be discussed and sought out for modification. Economic subordination on a specificity is the subordination of women through patriarchal institutions and social reforms that compel the women to fall in the secondary status and in the inferior category in this capitalistic world. The sexual division of labor work in the market and an unequal pay gap is the key element to contribute in the economic subordination of women. Emphasizing the biological difference and amounting to the fact that says “a women can’t do this” takes another jump in the subordination of women in the economic sphere by gap in the pay when the male individual of same skill and education is paid more than the woman individual of the same skill and education. So, the search for equality is always at large; may it be distribution of chores at home or equal pay in the workplace.
The phrase subordination of women refers to the general characteristics of male dominance in gender relation. It can further emphasize the historically specific of exploitation, oppression, inequality and discrimination of women. In certain writings, its usage refers and unchanging historical constant patriarchy, rather than changing forms of dominance and is often used in feminist political analysis which gives primacy to the relations between men and women. Economic empowerment allows both men and women to take control over their lives by gaining skills, setting their own agendas, fulfilling basic needs, build self-confidence and self-reliance. Specially for women, economic empowerment would mean an increased control over their lives by acquiring a voice and a stance to challenge the inequality they face every day. It is a known fact that women experience inequality on a predominant level. Therefore, the push in economic empowerment will help women get out of the subordination and become more aware about the disparity in power relations they face. It can be a slow and a difficult process become women all over the world, ranging from different backgrounds, cast, culture, religion, geography have their own separate process of growth. The economical subordination of women is a different battle in itself that needs special attention and a drastic change in laws that will take years to be published.
However, laws can never be the ultimate salvation for women who face discrimination and subordination the minute they step out of the house. May it be a stranger on a bus who thinks he is entitled to have his hands on a woman without her permission just because he can, a wife who has to face abuse on the hands of her husband when she asks for money to spend on her children, or a working woman who is paid less than her male co-worker who is much less qualified than her, the scenario of harassment at the workplace is a whole other ball game. Laws are made but never applied in real life situations because people don’t bother or think it is not a big deal to have women bow down.
It is said that women worldwide only make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns. As a result, there is a lifetime of unequal income between men and women to conclude that more and more women are retiring into poverty far more quickly. This stubborn inequality in the average wages between men and women prevails in all countries in all the sectors. A stereotype that proclaims that men can do better than women make it so that jobs done by women are under-valued. Even while the work itself may require equal or more effort and skill, it is still renumerated less and undervalued. For women of color, immigrants and working mothers, the gap is wider. The penalty for motherhood pushes women into informal poverty that pushes them to find more jobs.
The act of discrimination is not something natural but rather a human creation. The world will not be ablet to prosper if until and unless the entire human race procures their contribution. Increasing the occupational opportunities and providing them the payment they deserve is a bump in the economic welfare where we all can benefit from. Social institutions need to understand the need for a changed society and give everyone the chance they deserve. The greater inclusion of discriminatory social institutions reflects the international community’s commitments to transformative change. However, enforcing and monitoring these commitments could be a key to really find the end of gender disparity and provide economic gains to those who need it. Focusing only on the economic cost of gender-based discrimination in outcomes underestimated the ultimate loss associated with gender-based discrimination.
