In
the article this week, government officials in India released an annual budget
showing the amount of funds that are used to support women. Although India is
known for treating women unequally, they still provide financial assistance to
improve safety and other needs that are needed. Minister Palaniappan
Chidambaram intentions are to “lift up groups that will be left behind, unless
they receive special attention.” Programs for women, lower castes and tribes
and India’s rural poor, are all better funds that Chidambaram intends to attain.
He also donated 971 billion rupees ($18 billion) to the concept of a “gender
budget” developed in 2005-2006 to “reflect the total spending on programs
likely to benefit women. To provide security and safety for women, “Nirbhaya”
was created due to a tragic crime of gang rape. This act of violence prompted
many people to take a stand and demand greater rights for women; it also gave
the central government the idea to donate 10 billion rupees to provide greater assistance
for women. While some people in India think that the governments are doing the
right thing. Others, however, “believe that they are not doing enough.”
At
Jawaharlal Nehru University, Professor Jayati Ghosh, believes that “security
for women should be a responsibility instead of an issue being resolved by
money.” India Democratic Women’s Association implies that the governments are
showing concern to keep the women protestors trust and confidence. Better banks
should be issued to women as well as better jobs are being created to show
women that they really care about their struggle. Sexual discrimination, higher
employment, and better budget, are all actions taken by the government with the
help of money to reflect the outlook of women.
It
is a very nice gesture that India’s government is providing a better life for
women living in their environment where equality is an issue. At the same time,
you have to question their motives. Are they doing this to stop protestors or
other organizations that are fighting for better equality for women? Or, do
they really want to see women being treated fairly with the sense of better
security and money. If I was an Indian woman, I would be very happy to see that
the government cares about us and wants women to have a better life. As times
go equality of women in different countries are going to change with the help
of many laws and the important people who creates or develop these laws. Even though
the government is providing money for security, if the implemented harsher
punishment to those who commit crimes, maybe that would put fear in them and
the likelihood that they will take action again will be lower than past years.
Sheila Floyd
3/1/2013
Soc. 202-01
No comments:
Post a Comment