EMPLOYED WOMEN CONTRIBUTION IN WEAKEN GENDER DISCRIMINATION

Abstract

It is a very big concern to define gender roles in society. These roles are shaped by social and religious belief systems. The freedom and restrictions associated with women's roles are also determined by society and religion. For centuries, women have been considered weak, and social systems have often forced them into subordinate positions. At the same time, women have been worshipped as goddesses of wealth, knowledge, and power. Women constitute 48.52% of the total population and play a major role in society. Their participation and contributions to social development cannot be ignored, yet they are still not treated equally to men. Despite the presence of strong social, political, and judicial structures, women often remain inadequately empowered psychologically, physically, and economically. Women continue to struggle against misconstrued religious values and restrictive social structures, where attitudes toward femininity, psychological fears associated with being a woman, and economic dependence on men remain dominant. It is a matter of serious concern whether women themselves are deprived of their rights or whether external factors are responsible for denying those rights.

In this paper, an earnest attempt has been made to identify the contribution of employed women in reducing the gender gap and strengthening their social and economic status. The respondents consisted of employed female teachers selected through a non random sampling method using secondary data. A structured questionnaire based on a Likert scale was used to collect responses, and a Chi square test was conducted to determine the level of significance. The study found that women's economic dependence, men's behavior toward women, and limitations on women's autonomy are major causes of gender inequality, arising from social, cultural, and traditional belief systems. The study suggests that gender education, a deeper understanding of gender roles, and gender sensitization can help reduce the gender gap.