GENDER EQUALITY: A CORE CONCEPT OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA

The word ‘gender’ refers to the socio-economic definition of man and woman-the way societies distinguish men and women and assign them social roles. The distinction between sex and gender was introduced to deal with the general tendency to attribute women’s subordination to their anatomy. For ages it was believed that the different characteristics, roles and status accorded to women and men in society are determined by sex that are natural and therefore not changeable. Gender is seen closely related to the roles and behavior assigned to women and men based on their sexual differences. As soon as a child is born, families and society begin the process of gendering. The birth of the son is being celebrated while the birth of a daughter filled with pain; sons are showered with love, respect, better food and proper health care. Boys are encouraged to be tough and outgoing but girls are encouraged to be homebound and shy. All these differences are gender differences and they are created by society. Gender inequality is, therefore, a form of inequality which is distinct from other forms of socio-economic inequalities.