While involved in a GD recently, I contemplated upon a very talked about topic of nowadays-the Women Reservation Bill. The aspect that our group was addressing so vehemently , was its relevance in corporate world-is it required, is it possible, what are the implications, what are the compromises. To admit earnestly, I have majorly stood against the very idea of reservations -in any realm, on any criteria. But, quite ironically, the further I delved into the question, the more disposed I felt for the reservation and not because I myself could be a prospective beneficiary of the move,not so at all. It was one plain truth that evinced the inevitable call for this move, one truth that could potently kick away any counter-argument, one truth that no one could venture to refute the existence of- the lingering truth of gender bias.
Gender bias-doesnt sound like a very credible excuse,isnt it? But it is one indocile practice that can completely stall the progress of a woman. Despite all her credentials,competencies and laurels, there lie no means with a woman for rebutting the strike of bias. Planning succession for positions, largely by the judgment, is a frequent victim of gender bias and this is not just an unsupported statement , this is something whose examples I,and am sure most of us, have personally read or heard.
Critiques of the reservation hold considerable faith in evolution of social structure and claim endowment of rationality and fairness in the minds of this supposedly-elite society. They contend that women are no longer deprived of opportunities and the evaluator cannot, by any means, show a propensity to underestimate an individual on grounds of her gender. Their view is that competency should be the only step to progress and that reservations can only lead to barricading the path for some other equally,if not more, competent people. Their convictions about the fairness of judgment rely on beliefs about maturity in the society, which can no longer permit gender differentiation.
I, certainly , do not undermine the evolution our society has undergone to reach a position of dignity and humanity, but I am equally firm about the recalcitrant, intrinsic characteristics of individuals, although quite possibly to a lesser extent. To advocate for women, I would not claim that the instances of differentiation are deliberate, sinister attempts to stifle the growth of a woman. I respect the humbling acknowledgment the society caters to the women , but even at this stage, the prospect of some subconscious, unintended discrimination cannot be disclaimed. The pervading perceptions about women, in the minds of the society, may disfigure the path of their progress.While evaluating, there are sustainable chances that a woman may face skepticism,owing to the beliefs about her constitutional characteristics, which generally work against her. It could be and, often is, that her colleague stands to advantage, owing to his bantering and consequent better terms with the evaluator. The fact of the matter remains that one cannot deny the tendency of the society to perceive women at a slightly lower,if not more, level as compared to men . That may be purely natural but it can deleterious when manifested in actions. Therefore, quite understandably, I venture to assert that reservations are essential but should be accompanied by meticulously planned terms, else they can do more harm than good. Talking of a corporate, I believe that allowing reservations, drafted under a policy that observes the prevailing population/representation gap in mind, would be a benign gesture.And the policy too should be flexible and reviewed at stipulated periods to prevent obsolescence.
The foundation of my beliefs remain with the conviction that our society hasnt yet secured a spot, where we can be inadvertently relieved of this crippling practice. The society,undoubtedly, has convalesced tremendously, by alleviating the obnoxious beliefs and practices but a little more push is still called for.Assure me of no bias and I would be exhilarated to rally against reservations but until then, crafting of a society with no discrimination is what I rest my hopes upon.
Gender bias-doesnt sound like a very credible excuse,isnt it? But it is one indocile practice that can completely stall the progress of a woman. Despite all her credentials,competencies and laurels, there lie no means with a woman for rebutting the strike of bias. Planning succession for positions, largely by the judgment, is a frequent victim of gender bias and this is not just an unsupported statement , this is something whose examples I,and am sure most of us, have personally read or heard.
Critiques of the reservation hold considerable faith in evolution of social structure and claim endowment of rationality and fairness in the minds of this supposedly-elite society. They contend that women are no longer deprived of opportunities and the evaluator cannot, by any means, show a propensity to underestimate an individual on grounds of her gender. Their view is that competency should be the only step to progress and that reservations can only lead to barricading the path for some other equally,if not more, competent people. Their convictions about the fairness of judgment rely on beliefs about maturity in the society, which can no longer permit gender differentiation.
I, certainly , do not undermine the evolution our society has undergone to reach a position of dignity and humanity, but I am equally firm about the recalcitrant, intrinsic characteristics of individuals, although quite possibly to a lesser extent. To advocate for women, I would not claim that the instances of differentiation are deliberate, sinister attempts to stifle the growth of a woman. I respect the humbling acknowledgment the society caters to the women , but even at this stage, the prospect of some subconscious, unintended discrimination cannot be disclaimed. The pervading perceptions about women, in the minds of the society, may disfigure the path of their progress.While evaluating, there are sustainable chances that a woman may face skepticism,owing to the beliefs about her constitutional characteristics, which generally work against her. It could be and, often is, that her colleague stands to advantage, owing to his bantering and consequent better terms with the evaluator. The fact of the matter remains that one cannot deny the tendency of the society to perceive women at a slightly lower,if not more, level as compared to men . That may be purely natural but it can deleterious when manifested in actions. Therefore, quite understandably, I venture to assert that reservations are essential but should be accompanied by meticulously planned terms, else they can do more harm than good. Talking of a corporate, I believe that allowing reservations, drafted under a policy that observes the prevailing population/representation gap in mind, would be a benign gesture.And the policy too should be flexible and reviewed at stipulated periods to prevent obsolescence.
The foundation of my beliefs remain with the conviction that our society hasnt yet secured a spot, where we can be inadvertently relieved of this crippling practice. The society,undoubtedly, has convalesced tremendously, by alleviating the obnoxious beliefs and practices but a little more push is still called for.Assure me of no bias and I would be exhilarated to rally against reservations but until then, crafting of a society with no discrimination is what I rest my hopes upon.
