For a BYU Women’s Studies Colloquium Maina Singh described the different aspects of gender equality in India.
PROVO, Utah (Apr. 3, 2017)—In terms of policy and politics, India has made great strides in equality for women especially in the political sphere. Suffrage for both Indian men and women was granted around 70 years ago, creating a culture for political involvement and widespread voting for both sexes. On the surface, Indian gender relations might seem ideal; “yet we know that lived realities are different. Social change is slow,” explained Maina Singh, a scholar in residence at American University, during a women’s studies colloquium at BYU. “Misogyny, racism, and social inequalities are hard to uproot; we know that from many other parts of the world.”
Singh explained that India, as the second most populated country in the world, is very diverse with over 20 languages spoken in various parts and several religions practiced throughout. It is also the largest democracy in the world. “India only gained independence 70 years ago. Everyone votes,” said Singh. “Gandhi taught us to vote; it’s something we do. We find it difficult when people in westernized countries say that they don’t need to vote . . . because we went without that liberty for so long.”
Along with voting rights, political involvement of women was also common in the nationalist movement to fight colonialism. As a result, when the British government was eradicated from India, the people were already used to seeing women in power. Subsequently, India has many female political leaders in village communities, cities, and even has had women as presidents.
The Indian workplace is also equal across genders. “In terms of work, sexuality and politics, India has set an example in the equal treatment of women,” Singh said. Since legislation passed in 2015, this equal treatment also extends to transgender persons.
Though India has progressed in many ways towards social equality, Singh can still identify several areas where the rights of Indian women lag behind men, including early marriage, trafficking and danger for women in public spaces. “I know that if I want my daughter to become an attorney, a judge or a politician, it’s not her gender that will hold her back. But if she’s going out for the evening, I’m worried. So, I think that’s our contradiction,” Singh explained.
Singh used the example of a woman who was brutally gang raped on a moving bus in New Delhi in 2012. In the struggle, she was killed and her death caused a country-wide outrage. Vigils were held in the girl’s honor and British filmmaker Leslee Udwin made a documentary titled India’s Daughter interviewing the unapologetic rapists who engaged in victim blaming rhetoric throughout their conversations.
This horrific rape and display of blatant sexism and misogyny is what Singh referred to as the disconnect in India between civil and political spheres. “We have no problems seeing a woman in power for politics, but in the civil sphere [and home life] women are not treated the same,” she said.
Indian feminists have since used the opportunity to enact more social change in India, including challenging standards of traditional dress, Singh said, finding the sari impractical for school and work. She commented, “College women especially are pushing back against standards of traditional dress.”
In closing, Singh explained that much of India’s potential for social reform is still unknown. “India is a country of young people. Over 41 percent are under the age of 20, 9 percent above the age of 50. That leaves 50 percent in the intervening years between 29 and 50,” she said. “India has huge potential because we have a huge population, and a responsibility to harness that [for social good].”
—Hannah Sandorf (B.A. Art History and Curatorial Studies ’17)
Hannah covers events for the women’s studies program of the College of Humanities. She is a senior pursuing a degree in art history with a minor in art.
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