Due to its prevalence in the media as of lately, rape and India have unfortunately been linked together. on Monday, there was yet another case of rape. A young woman in West Bengal had accepted an exogamous marriage proposal in which the panchayat (village council) had--to put it lightly--responded unkindly. Since this was an intercaste marriage, the village council had initially asked the woman's family to pay a fine of 27,000 rupees ($447), but when the family refused to pay, the village chief, Balai Mardi, ordered villagers "to enjoy her," according to one of the police officers. The young woman was then repeatedly raped in Mr. Mardi's hut. Since Monday, there have been 13 arrests made in the case despite the village chief's threat of burning down her house if she were to call the police. One of the leaders from a nearby village named Sunil Soren made sure to comment that they "respect [their] women a lot," but this was an "objectionable situation" because events like this "pollute the minds of youngsters."
1. Do you think endogamy perpetuates caste stratification or preserves a way of living and creates social order?
2. Do you think intercaste marriages should be allowed on the basis of your answer prior question?
Monday, January 27, 2014
Rahul Gandhi's Plan for India by Focusing on Women and Youth
Rahul Gandhi (no blood relation to Mohandas), the great-grandson of Jawaharlal Nehru, has stated that he is confident that he will win the seat of prime minister in India's upcoming elections. In one of his first interviews ever-despite having engaged himself in politics for around ten years already-Gandhi criticized one of his opponents and clarified some of his own beliefs. Narenda Modi, a leader of an opposition party facing Gandhi's India National Congress Party, was accused by Mr. Gandhi for instigating anti-Muslim riots in 2002, which ultimately claimed the lives of over 1,000 Muslims. A statement such as this surely indicates where Gandhi intends to lead a country that is plagued by corruption and inequality. He said in the interview: "I don't like unfairness. It just makes my blood boil. I don't like it. And in whatever I did, if I saw unfairness, I would stand up against it. That's the heart of my politics." Yet, when questioned about his family's "political dynasty," he responded that one cannot simply remove a political dynasty by wishing it away. Rather, he believes that government must be made more open so that new players can enter the political field. Gandhi stated that he plans on doing this by focusing on the empowerment of women and young people, repairing India's recent and relatively sluggish economic growth, attacking corruption, and bolstering social welfare programs.
1. How do these political claims affect women?
2. Do you think that government focus on the topics Rahul Gandhi mentioned will better India as a whole?
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Security In India
As the elections for a new state assembly in Delhi approached, many women based their vote on who would make their city the most secure, as security was the biggest issue and concern for the women of Delhi. The women complained that the biggest issue in Delhi was security and the last congress party had failed to bring security to their city. Since women feel like the last congress party did not do enough to ameliorate security in the cities of India, some women are only voting for the new party simply because they were not satisfied by the work of the old party. Women's security was a key campaign issue in this year's election and the women of India based their vote on their main concern: women safety in India.
1. How do you think the new state assembly could make the cities of India more secure?
2.Do you think it is actually possible for the state assembly to change and make India a more secure place?
http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2013/12/04/delhi-women-vote-for-safety/?mod=WSJBlog&mod=irt
As the elections for a new state assembly in Delhi approached, many women based their vote on who would make their city the most secure, as security was the biggest issue and concern for the women of Delhi. The women complained that the biggest issue in Delhi was security and the last congress party had failed to bring security to their city. Since women feel like the last congress party did not do enough to ameliorate security in the cities of India, some women are only voting for the new party simply because they were not satisfied by the work of the old party. Women's security was a key campaign issue in this year's election and the women of India based their vote on their main concern: women safety in India.
1. How do you think the new state assembly could make the cities of India more secure?
2.Do you think it is actually possible for the state assembly to change and make India a more secure place?
http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2013/12/04/delhi-women-vote-for-safety/?mod=WSJBlog&mod=irt
Bihar Launched Birth Registration Campaign
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Bihar-launched-birth-registration-campaign/articleshow/26853618.cms
Bihar, a state in Northern India, has launched a birth registration campaign for young, elementary school-age children. Sponsored by UNICEF, hospital and school officials in the state have made it a point to make unregistered children registered as soon as possible. With the purpose of fulfilling every children's right to self-identification and life, these organizations have been trying to produce and create birth certificates for these children. Until the end of the year, these organizations will hold registration clinics in schools and in public places as to afford everyone the opportunity to register. With India's already burgeoning population, children are constantly marginalized, and this process will go a long way as to make sure everyone can be identified as their own. This is promising, and especially in the wake of our birth rights in India discussion, it is a positive step forward to making sure the rights of every children are ensured. Later in life, this identification could prove extremely important in terms of these children getting jobs or a higher education.
1. How do you think this movement will affect future generations in India in terms of birthrights?
2. Will this have any bearing on the widespread abortion issue in India? Will the guaranteed rights of every individual dissuade mothers and fathers from killing their children, knowing that their births will be recorded?
Bihar, a state in Northern India, has launched a birth registration campaign for young, elementary school-age children. Sponsored by UNICEF, hospital and school officials in the state have made it a point to make unregistered children registered as soon as possible. With the purpose of fulfilling every children's right to self-identification and life, these organizations have been trying to produce and create birth certificates for these children. Until the end of the year, these organizations will hold registration clinics in schools and in public places as to afford everyone the opportunity to register. With India's already burgeoning population, children are constantly marginalized, and this process will go a long way as to make sure everyone can be identified as their own. This is promising, and especially in the wake of our birth rights in India discussion, it is a positive step forward to making sure the rights of every children are ensured. Later in life, this identification could prove extremely important in terms of these children getting jobs or a higher education.
1. How do you think this movement will affect future generations in India in terms of birthrights?
2. Will this have any bearing on the widespread abortion issue in India? Will the guaranteed rights of every individual dissuade mothers and fathers from killing their children, knowing that their births will be recorded?
The World's Democracy
India is a very fascinating country in many political ways. India is the world's largest democracy with a size of over 3 times the United States. Right now, New Delhi is holding assembly polls to elect new representatives, and the turn out is higher than ever. Four years ago the turn out was just over 57%, while this year the turn out has skyrocketed to to around 67%. Many Indian citizens are in a moment to free a "corrupt India". Two parties are fighting for spots in the India Congress and this is being seen as a historic poll in India history because there has been no violence, and there has been record turn outs.
Do you think that India is finally understanding Gandhi's views on nonviolence because they aren't fighting over politics anymore?
Why do you think turn outs for the election have gone up so much?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-25211071
Do you think that India is finally understanding Gandhi's views on nonviolence because they aren't fighting over politics anymore?
Why do you think turn outs for the election have gone up so much?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-25211071
Elections in Delhi
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-25211071
The voter turnout in Delhi for the current election has been surprisingly high this year. The turnout was 66% which is a massive increase from previous years. The election commission board even had to extend voting hours in order to allow adequate time for everyone to vote. The election this year is the current ruling congress party trying for a fourth consecutive term. This party is opposed by the BJP and the Common Man Party. The comman man party was born out of an anti corruption movement and has emerged as a strong contender this year. So far, it is unclear of who is likely to win. "The Congress campaign has been led by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit, 75, who is seeking a record fourth consecutive term in office promising "inclusive development"."
1) Who do you think is likely to win the election this year?
2) Why do you think the congress party and the BJP party have "dismissed the common man party as a serous contender" this year?
3) What is your opinion of Indias current ruling system?
The voter turnout in Delhi for the current election has been surprisingly high this year. The turnout was 66% which is a massive increase from previous years. The election commission board even had to extend voting hours in order to allow adequate time for everyone to vote. The election this year is the current ruling congress party trying for a fourth consecutive term. This party is opposed by the BJP and the Common Man Party. The comman man party was born out of an anti corruption movement and has emerged as a strong contender this year. So far, it is unclear of who is likely to win. "The Congress campaign has been led by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit, 75, who is seeking a record fourth consecutive term in office promising "inclusive development"."
1) Who do you think is likely to win the election this year?
2) Why do you think the congress party and the BJP party have "dismissed the common man party as a serous contender" this year?
3) What is your opinion of Indias current ruling system?
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Rigidly Masculine
Nearly 40.7% of the men in India have been classified as "rigidly masculine," based on their views and beliefs of women. The International Centre for Research on Women (ICRW) has classified Indian men into four categories in order to avoid lumping them all into one stereotype. The four classifications are equitable men, flexible behavior men, flexible attitude men, and the rigidly masculine. The rigidly masculine consider women to be inferior to them, and they are very controlling of their wives. These men are three times more likely to physically abuse their wives and almost four times likelier to want a son over a daughter. These conclusions are based on studies taken by the ICRW across seven states. Only 25.6% of the men in these seven states would be considered in the equitable category. The equitable men strongly support women as equals and this translates into sharing of household work and responsibility for contraception. They firmly believe that women are not to be blamed for rape. The rest of the male population ended up between the two ends of the spectrum.
In comparison with the high ratio of rigidly masculine men, nearly 27% of the women surveyed reported violence against themselves within the past year. 34% of the male population admitted to physically abusing their wives ever, but only 31% of the female population admitted to have suffered the violence.
The survey also concluded that 72% of men in the rigidly masculine category have a high son preference versus 19% of the equitable category. This preference can lead to severe health issues for women and a greater gap in the population ratio. The 2001 census reported a drop from 927 girls per 1,000 boys (ages 0 to 9) in 2001 to an all-time low of 914 to 1,000 in 2011.
The results show that men with a secondary or higher education and those living in urban areas are more likely to fall into the equitable category. Economic stress also weighs down on men to create more rigid notions against women. The findings of this survey make it clear that education is the most important solution for this issue. People need to be brought up with the view of men and women as equals. It is also important to set up a change in mindset in adults, especially men who hold these rigid views. Men will be the most direct form of change in this issue.
40% of Indian men are hardcore sexists: Study
Discussion Questions:
1. Which universal human right(s) is/are being denied in this situation?
2. Why do you think a smaller percentage of women admitted to having suffered physical violence as opposed to the 34% of men that admitted to having physically abused their wives?
3. Why do you think better education and urban environment are associated with the equitable category of men in India?
In comparison with the high ratio of rigidly masculine men, nearly 27% of the women surveyed reported violence against themselves within the past year. 34% of the male population admitted to physically abusing their wives ever, but only 31% of the female population admitted to have suffered the violence.
The survey also concluded that 72% of men in the rigidly masculine category have a high son preference versus 19% of the equitable category. This preference can lead to severe health issues for women and a greater gap in the population ratio. The 2001 census reported a drop from 927 girls per 1,000 boys (ages 0 to 9) in 2001 to an all-time low of 914 to 1,000 in 2011.
The results show that men with a secondary or higher education and those living in urban areas are more likely to fall into the equitable category. Economic stress also weighs down on men to create more rigid notions against women. The findings of this survey make it clear that education is the most important solution for this issue. People need to be brought up with the view of men and women as equals. It is also important to set up a change in mindset in adults, especially men who hold these rigid views. Men will be the most direct form of change in this issue.
40% of Indian men are hardcore sexists: Study
Discussion Questions:
1. Which universal human right(s) is/are being denied in this situation?
2. Why do you think a smaller percentage of women admitted to having suffered physical violence as opposed to the 34% of men that admitted to having physically abused their wives?
3. Why do you think better education and urban environment are associated with the equitable category of men in India?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)