Women Power in India: Real or Just a Myth?

[Guest guest]

NEW DELHI (Apr 20, 2005): The rising number of women in the

workforce may seem to indicate that they have finally attained a

high degree of empowerment. But the ground reality is that every

third woman in Mumbai and Delhi feels unsafe, eve-teasing [a

euphemism for sexual harrassment] tops Kolkata's problems, and

sexual and financial discrimination is common in Chennai.

 

While 97% of women surveyed in Kolkata said they had to deal with

sexual harassment, Hyderabad emerged as the only exception, with the

city's women saying they enjoyed a high level of security, both on

the roads and at work.

 

These are some of the findings of a study conducted by FICCI Ladies

Organisation (FLO), comparing situations faced by working women in

the five metros of Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Chennai.

The survey's findings also raise the uncomfortable question: if this

is how things are in the so-called enlightened metros, just how bad

is the situation in rural areas?

 

More than 30% women in Delhi feel the city is unsafe for them. Two

out of every five women rate the public security system as

inefficient. Eve-teasing in the city tops the fear list of a working

woman. Landlords harass women and staying alone is considered risky.

Quality of street lighting is also an area of concern.

 

Mumbai is considered the most expensive metro and women here worry

about chain-snatching, pick-pocketing and crowds in trains. However,

the city leads in terms of job prospects.

 

Kolkata women suffer a similar fate, with their main concern being

eve-teasing. However, one positive sign is that women in Kolkata

seem to be in control of the money they earn. More than 70% of those

surveyed said they decided how to spend their income. They also top

the list of working out of personal choice.

 

The survey revealed Chennai as the lowest on levels of work

satisfaction.

>From safety to work satisfaction, Hyderabad, steals the show on all

fronts. According to the findings of a study conducted by FICCI

Ladies Organisation (FLO) comparing situations faced by working

women in the five metros of Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and

Chennai, the city scores the highest on safety grounds and is

considered the easiest to live in.

 

As far as work front is concerned, 94% of working women in five

metros stated that there is no discrimination at the work place,

with Delhi scoring the highest.

 

Despite of the eye-opening statistics regarding 'unsafe' Delhi, the

city is still considered to be ''easy to live in'', because of job

prospects and fixed hours of working.

 

It is time for the four metro cities to look at Hyderabad and adopt

some good practices which could make these metros a better place for

women. The possible improvements could be upgradation of

infrastructural facilities like street lighting and improved

transport facilities.

 

Flexibility in work conditions and introduction of practices such as

career- break schemes, flexible work patterns and enhanced maternity

options can make working a pleasure.

 

The gap between infrastructure facilities and service industry needs

to be filled by offering bridging policies to ensure higher welfare

of women and to avoid exploitation at workplace.

 

SOURCE: The Times of India: "Women power? Is it for real or just a

myth" by NEHA TYAGI, TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2005

11:37:45 PM ]

URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-

1083689,curpg-1.cms