Gender inequality as a social construction in India: A phenomenological enquiry

Abstract

The present analysis was carried out with the objective to explore the concept of gender equality in India, from an indigenous-cultural point of view. Four focus-group discussions with a total of 18 participants (both males and females) were carried out using a self-developed semi-structured interview schedule. Interpretative phenomenological analysis of the transcribed interviews led to the identification of three overarching themes. The first superordinate theme, Social construction and accentuation of differences, represents the idea of biological determinism and the accentuation of anatomical differences which, as per participants' responses, lays a strong foundation for gender roles and stereotypes. This superordinate theme encompasses the role of early socialization, conformity, societal norms and expectations as well as social institutions in facilitating and perpetuating gender discrimination. The next theme, viz. Tunnel vision view of gender equality, highlights the perceived lacunas in existing policies and laws that curtail parity instead of enhancing it. It also represents participants' belief that men and women in India lack a holistic understanding of gender equality and tend to define it in a very restricted and narrow sense. Finally, the last theme i.e. Holistic and multi-level reforms, offers a culture-appropriate plan of action that, according to research participants, can help achieve holistic and sustainable gender equality in India. The present qualitative analysis provides important insights into the complex nexus of socio-cultural factors that shape collective culture-specific beliefs about gender equality. The study also offers an action-oriented framework to alleviate gender discrimination.