Concept of Disparity - I

FOUNDATION COURSE - I
CHP-2 CONCEPT OF DISPARITY-I

2.0 Objectives
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Gender disparity- as a form of inequality
2.2.1 Declining sex ratio
2.2.2 Causes of declining sex ratio
2.2.3 Violence against women- meaning and forms
2.2.4 Measures against violence against women
2.2.5 Portrayal of women in media
2.3 Disability - as a form of inequality
2.3.1 Physical disability- visual, auditory and orthopedic
2.3.2 Mental disability- Levels and types of mental disability
2.4 Summary
Unit Structure

The concepts of disparity and disability are often used interchangeably. However it
is essential to understand the difference between the two. Though the origin of both the
terms comes from inequality, the nature of inequality and stratification is different in both
the concepts.
The term disparity means to be different. Gender disparity for that matter is the
differences between the genders which are often treated as unequals. Disability is the
condition of being unable, impaired to maintain equality. Disparity is often man made but
disability can be natural too.
For e.g. Women are physically weak and cannot do adventurous activity (which is not true)
is a statement coming from gender disparity created by social systems.
But a polio patient is unable to do adventurous activity is disability coming from physical

GENDER DISPARITY- AS A FORM OF INEQUALITY
Gender disparity as a form of inequality is a manifestation of socio-cultural
discrimination against women in society. Physical difference between man and woman,
which is biological in nature is regarded “Sex”. However there is not hierarchy attached
to the phenomenon of “sex” i.e. biologically being a man or a woman does not attach
superiority or inferiority to either of them. It is the socio- cultural norms and the
structure of patriarchy that converts ‘sex’ into ‘gender’ and then associating it with
power and authority to one at the cost of the other. The term Patriarchy is derived from
two words ‘patri’ and ‘arch’ which means father and rule respectively. It means ‘rule of
the father’ or male domination. And it is this patriarchal structure of society in general
and of family in particular that creates gender disparity or gender bias.
Gender disparity can be defined as “a situation of unequal and hierarchical
relations and the socially constructed roles or stereotypes assigned to women as
that of a housewife and mother are considered as ‘norms’ to be followed
invariably across class, caste, race and culture. This bias often leads to denial of
opportunities and injustice to women”

Declining Sex Ratio
o Sex ratio is calculated as the number of females per thousand of males.
o Sex ratio of any country is not just a demographic variable but an important indicator of
country’s gender development index.
o And an adverse sex ratio reveals a lopsided social development and violation of human rights.
o Sex ratio in India has seen a declining trend since the turn of the century.
o The sex ratio, which was 972 per 1000 of men in 1901, has declined to 933 in 2001.
o It has marginally increased to 940 in the year 2011.
o There is also a concept of child sex ratio that is calculating the sex ratio is in the age group of
0-6 years which is also declining drastically in India.
o From 976 in 1961 to 927 in 2001 and as per the provisional census report for 2011 it has
further declined to a devastating 914.

Census
year
Sex
ratio
Child sex ratio (0-6
years)
1901 972 N.A
1911 964 N.A.
1921 955 N.A.
1931 950 N.A.
1941 945 N.A.
1951 946 N.A.
1961 941 976
1971 930 964
1981 934 962
1991 927 945
2001 933 927
2011 940 914
• The sharp decline in the sex ratio is not evenly
distributed in the country as well.
• Economically affluent states and literate areas
have lower sex ratio compared to tribal and
illiterate areas where sex ratio is much better.
• Urban areas are far more behind than rural areas.
States like Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan are
historically female deficit states and continue to be
so.
• However now even states like Maharashtra and
Gujarat have joined the list of female deficit states
with sex ratio of as low as 925 and 918
respectively in 2011 census.

CAUSES OF DECLINING SEX RATIO
Sex Determination
(SD) and Sex
Selective Abortion
(SSA)
Female infanticide
and foeticide
Son preference
and patriarchal
value system
Dowry and burden
of marriage cost
Lower nutritional
and health status
of women
Absence of
stringent
implementation of
PCPNDT act
(1994 to prevent the practice of sex determination and sex selective abortion, pre-conception and pre-natal
diagnostic technique (regulation and prevention of misuse) was passed in 1994 which was later amended in 2003. It
prohibited the sex determination before or after conception, prohibiting advertisements and revelation of the sex by
any medical practitioner in any form. Under this act several raids were conducted and sonography machines were
sealed, licenses were cancelled in last decade. But so far no doctor has been convicted or imprisoned. The law is not
been implemented stringently and still contains many loopholes making it weak in bringing solution to the problem)

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
India has always lived with a paradox
with glorifying women as goddess
(Devi) on one hand and giving a devil
treatment on the other.
From cradle to death (in fact much
before she reaches a cradle) or from
womb to tomb she is subject to
discrimination and step motherly
treatment.
At every level of her life in all the
institutions of family, marriage,
religion, education, economy, law,
media and politics, she faces the brutal
exploitation from the pre-existing and
omnipresent structure of patriarchy.

• United Nations Declaration 1993, defined violence against
women as “any act of gender base violence that results in
or is likely to result in physical, psychological or sexual
harm or suffering to a woman, including threats of such
acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether
occurring in public or private life”. This is an all inclusive
definition of VAW
• The violence of her basic human rights often takes place in
various ways. It may take a form of sex determination and
sex selective abortion, neglect of infant and girl child in
the areas of nutrition healthcare, illiteracy and drop outs,
under estimation of household work, inequality and
harassment at the work place, dowry and related
harassments including bride burning, sexual assault, rape,
religious rituals, cultural practices, misrepresentation in
media and many others.

According to the National Crime Records
Bureau’s facts
• Every three minutes there is a crime against women
• Molestation happens every 15 minutes
• Sexual harassment every 53 minutes
• Rape case every 29 minutes
• 4 out of 10 women in India face violence in their homes.
• A women is killed for dowry every hour.

FORM OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN:
• The violence which
takes place within the
household or by a
known perpetrator is
considered to be
domestic violence.
Domestic
• The act which are
considered to be
crime and punishable
under Indian Penal
Code termed as
criminal violence.
Criminal
• The violence which
women face due to
societal norms and
religious practices are
part of social violence
Social

• WIFE BEATING AND BATTERING: The physical torture a woman undergoes at the hands of her husband or in laws is one of the
severe kind of violence against women. It often leads to physical injuries, loss of limbs and sometime even loss of life. Dowry
demands and intoxication are the major reasons for the same.
• DOWRY DEATHS AND BRIDE BURNING: Continuous and ever increasing demands for dowry by in laws or husband are a cause
of great suffering for woman and a curse on Indian society. Young newlywed girls are burnt or brutally killed for the sake of dowry
which is then depicted as a case of suicide. Sometimes the brides do commit suicide as an escape from the torture in the marital
homes.
• DISCRIMINATION AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT AT THE WORK PLACE: As mentioned earlier 40% of the women have faced
the harassment at work place. With increasing number of women going out to work and contributing to the national economy, there
is an increase in the harassment at the work place. Inequality in the wages, denial of promotion or asking for favours of sexual
nature by the authorities or colleagues has become a regular feature of urban economy.
• RAPE AND MOLESTATION: One of the most atrocious crimes against women is rape. In more than 60% of the cases the
perpetrator is a known member to the victim. The ordeal of the victim continues even after the act where in the society and legal
system continuously blame and question her for her character and loss of virginity. Most of the cases do not get register in the court
of law due to the fear of social stigma attached to the act of rape. Abduction and kidnapping are generally followed by rape and
murder.
• EVE-TEASING: One of the crimes which have not been taken seriously till date is eve-teasing. It can range from lewd comments
or whistling to acid attacks or molestation. Public transport, public spaces like parks, gardens, railway stations or open spaces have
become the home ground for eve teasers. Ignorance or neglect is the general tools used by girls, which can later have serious
repercussions.
• TRAFFICKING OF WOMAN: Buying or selling of girls for slavery and sex trade is a serious crime that needs a mention. Women
are used as slaves and tortured physically, mentally or sexually by their buyers. Sex trade and sex tourism is rampant at national
and international level where woman are used as sex toys. Poor families sell their girls to repay their debts in developing nations.

MEASURES AGAINST VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN:
There are several government and non-government organizations working towards gender equality and
fighting against all forms of violence against woman. Following are some of the landmark legal measures
and acts pertaining to woman’s rights.
There are several articles in the Indian Constitution which promise equal rights and liberties to each and
every woman in India. There are special provisions for woman in terms of positive discrimination or
affirmative action in terms of reservation of woman in local self government, educational institutions, job
opportunities and public transport.
There are a number of government bodies, NGOs and civil society organizations helping women to gain
justice and equality in the society. They work in the areas of research, sensitization, awareness, law
making or amendment in the existing law, campaigns for empowerment of woman. There is a special
ministry for women and child welfare at the center and state to look into the policies and programmes
for woman in the nation. The National Commission for Woman (NCW) is the statutory body of
Government of India at the central level that looks in to the matters pertaining to gender justice.

PORTRAYAL OF WOMEN IN MEDIA
Positive
role of
media
• Awareness and
sensitization
• Highlighting
achievers-
• Strong woman
characterization-
Negative
role of
media
• Women as sex
symbols
• Beauty pageants
and western
standards
• Stereotypical
image

DISABILITY – AS A FORM OF
INEQUALITY
oAn inability to efficiently cope up with the day to day activity can be
referred as disability.
oIt is impairment may it be physical, mental, cognitive, sensory or
emotional restricting individual in its daily routine.
oGenerally disability is often replaced by the use of the term
handicapped or challenged.
oBut disability has a more affirmative connotation and does not cripple
individual’s acceptance in the society in terms of opportunities.
oThere are also terms used like differently able than disabled especially
in terms of mental disability.

Disabilities
Physically
Visually Auditory Orthopedically
Mentally

PHYSICAL DISABILITY
A person who is unable to perform normal physical activity in the day to
day life due to some impairment is called physically disabled.
It is further divided into three types based on the deformity in a particular
organ.
Those with deformity of vision are called blind or visually disabled.
Individuals with problem of speech and hearing come under the category
of auditory disabled or deaf and dumb.
Those with loss or deformity of limbs are called orthopedically disabled. In
India, of all the disabled there are around 49% who are blind, 13% are deaf
and dumb, 28% has orthopedic disability.
Malnutrition, ignorance and inefficient medical faculties are major causes
for physical disability in our country.

A person whose vision is totally or partially lost or whose
vision is 6/60 or less are called blind or visually disabled.
Blindness is a major disability amongst all forms in India.
VISUAL DISABILITY
RAVINDRA JAINDIWAKAR SHARMA

CAUSES OF BLINDNESS
1) Cataract: In spite of mass awareness programmes conducted and easy treatment for cataract, it is one of the major
reason for blindness in India. It is associated with old age and can be easily cured with a simple surgery or laser treatment.
2) Glaucoma: Pressure on the cornea leads to this kind of disease which might lead to partial or complete blindness.
3) Trachoma: It’s a poisonous kind of conjunctivitis that is cause by bacteria. If not treated immediately can cause spread of
the disease as well as loss of eyesight.
4) Night blindness and colour blindness: Lack of vitamin A causes night blindness that is loss of vision after sun set and lack
of nutrients and genetic disorder can cause colour blindness.
5) Accidents: Eyes are one of the most delicate body organs. Injury of any kind to the cornea or retina can be dangerous to
the eyesight.
6) Other diseases: Hyper tension, diabetes or stroke can be the cause for partial or complete blindness.

Treatment
Based on the causes for blindness, it can be treated accordingly.
Treating the disease that has caused loss of eye sight like
Hypertension, Diabetes or nutritional deficiency can be cured with
medication. Timely surgery for cataract can also save the patient
from blindness. Cornea transplant are also possible in case of injury
or genetic disorder by birth.

AUDITORY DISABILITYAUDITORY DISABILITY
A person who is unable to hear a sound of 30 db can be considered as deaf.
The person with speech impairment and stammering are considered to be
dumb. Those who are deaf by birth are dumb as well as they haven’t heard
the sounds required to be able to speak and converse.
HELEN KELLERMARLEE MATLINERIC CLAPTON

TYPES OF DEAFNESS
CONDUCTION DEAFNESS :- Defect in the ear drum or
middle ear causes this kind of deafness.
NERVE DEAFNESS :- If the connecting nerves get damaged or
wakened due to old age or other reasons, then nerve deafness can
occur. It is caused due to damage to the basilary membrane
CAUSES OF DEAFNESS

Depending on the root cause for deafness, deafness can be
controlled or cured in some cases or in case of total loss of hearing
aids are available to enable hearing. Speech therapy in case of
stammering or dumbness helps the patient where the
communication can take place through the use of sign language.

Inability to use ones hands or legs for motor functioning or loss
of limbs can be included into orthopedically disable. Deformity
of hands, legs, spinal cord, muscles can all be included in this
type of disability.
ORTHOPEDICAL DISABILITY
STEPHEN HAWKING BHARAT KUMAR SUDHA CHANDRAN

CAUSES OF DEAFNESS
1) Polio- The virus of polio damages the limbs and cause paralytic condition in the body. It affects the patient in
the childhood. India to a great extent has overcome this problem with vaccination. However there are seldom
instances of this disease.
2) Spinal Bifida- Underdeveloped spinal cord or damaged spinal cord lead to spinal bifida. Movement controlled
by spinal cord becomes impossible making patient immobile and dependant.
3) Cerebral palsy- The part of the brain which takes care of motor able activity of a human being if affected
adversely or not developed to its optimum level can lead to cerebral palsy.
4) Muscular dystrophy- Muscle fibers in the body gets weakened then the body gets affected with muscular
dystrophy.
5) Accidents and injury- They can always result in loss of limbs or deformity of limbs.

Regular vaccination should be given for preventing polio.
Physiotherapy and occupational therapy can also help patients to be
self reliant in their daily chores. Artificial limb like Jaipur foot helps in
movement for those who have lost limbs.

MENTAL DISABILITY
When a person looses the capacity to think independently and
rationally, whose intellectual levels are not developed then the
person is called mentally disabled. Individuals with an intelligent
quotient (IQ) of less than 70 can be considered as a mentally
retarded or mentally disabled.

LEVELS OF MENTAL RETARDATION
On the basis of the IQ levels of an individual the mental retardation is
analyzed at four different levels.
1) MILD MENTAL RETARDATION- An individual whose IQ is between 5070 is called mild mentally retarded.
These children can complete their primary level of education comfortably but have problems of
concentration and analytical ability is also very low.
2) MODERATE MENTAL RETARDATION- Individual with an IQ between 35-50 is called moderate mentally
retarded. They can’t take up formal education and needs support of their family members to do their
daily chores. They can be made independent with some basic technical skills and can be made self reliant
in their own health and safety.
3) SEVERE MENTAL RETARDATION- Persons with an IQ of 20-35 are severely mentally retarded. Their
learning ability is very limited and need close supervision and support of a family member in their daily
lives.
4) PROFOUND MENTAL RETARDATION- Individual with an IQ lower than 20 are profound mentally retarded.
They can’t be kept at home and need intensive treatment at an asylum or mental hospital.

• It is a genetic disability in which there is a
problem in the 21st pair of chromosomes.Down’s Syndrome
•The part of the brain dealing with communication is damaged then it
can lead to autism.
• Eye to eye contact, conversation and sometimes even basic motor
abilities get affected.
Autism
• Split personality, hallucination, and
schizophrenia are all types of this disorderPsychosis and Neurosis
• Dyslexia, dysgraphia or discalculacia are all part of learning
disability. The learning capacity of an individual in this type of
disability is slow and needs special methods for learning.
Learning Disability

Psychological counseling, behavioral therapy, occupational therapy
can all help the patient to lead a normal like. Special schools and
shelter homes provide them skills in art, handicrafts or other
technical skills that enable them to be self sufficient and confident.
Training in social adjustment through skills for safety, security and
hygiene make them more acceptable and adaptable in the family
and society.

A disabled may it be physical or mental should not be considered as a
burden to the family or society. By just giving sympathy is not going to
solve their problems. Helping them to be respectable and self reliant
members of the society should be our aim. Providing them with
educational and occupational opportunities should be at the helm of
all policies and programmes by the government. NGOs can play a very
constructive role in prevention and cure of disability by joining hands
with medical fraternity.

Concept of Disparity - I

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