Shonima Malhotra
Inclusion is not just a word; it is a way of life. It means fostering and nurturing an environment where divergent perspectives, backgrounds and identities are welcomed, respected and valued, an environment where everyone feels acknowledged and accepted, thereby creating a sense of belonging for everyone. Diversity is our strength, and inclusion encompasses embracing diversity in all its forms to build a more equitable and supportive community. Certainly, inclusion goes beyond just addressing gender disparities but since I am writing this article in context of International Women’s Day, so I would talk about inclusion in gender specific context. The campaign theme for International Women’s Day 2024 is ‘Inspire Inclusion’. With this theme this year’s International Women’s Day encourages us to celebrate the mosaic of backgrounds, cultures and perspectives that make up the tapestry of womanhood. It is a call to move beyond stereotypes and appreciate the richness that emerges when we empower women from all walks of life. Whether it is at the workplace, education or daily life, the theme prompts us to reassess and dismantle structures that perpetuate inequality. By doing so, we not only empower individual women but contribute to the collective progress of the nation.
Inclusion is essential for everyone and to be more specific, for all genders. Men and women, as well as individuals, who identify with non-binary or gender diverse identities, need spaces where they have equal opportunities and feels empowered, regardless of their gender identities. The concept of human development involves expansion of human capabilities, a widening of choices, an enhancement of freedom and a fulfilment of human rights. Human dimension of development presupposes that development should be measured in terms of the richness of human life because people are the real wealth of the nation. For developing this wealth in a holistic manner, designing and directing an enabling environment to let people enjoy long, healthy and creative lives, enlarging their freedoms and opportunities and improving their well being is a pre requirement which must be met. It presupposes a paradigm that is people centric rather than merely growth centric where all individuals regardless of their background have the real freedom to decide who to be, what to do and how to live so that they can develop their full potential and lead productive, creative lives in accord with their needs and interests. As such, development that sustains today’s gender inequalities is neither sustainable nor worth sustaining.
Though over the time consistent efforts have been put in to provide women with inclusion in all areas of life, but challenges and disparities still exist. Multifaceted examples of disparities and barriers to women inclusion are unfortunately rampant in various aspects of society. Pathetically, such disparities start even before birth with female foeticide being a tragic example of gender based exclusion. In the succeeding stages of life, such exclusion extends to other arenas of women’s lives – limited access to education, underrepresentation in STEM limiting their involvement in these critical sectors, stereotyping in workplace, gender pay gap, underrepresentation in leadership, glass ceiling that hinder their progression to higher levels within organizations, lack of family-friendly policies, work-life balance challenges, harassment and discrimination, media portrayals, cultural and legal barriers, gender based violence, limited access to mentorship and networking opportunities, inadequate practices and policies – all piling up to contribute to the marginalization and non inclusion of women.
Gender bias, discrimination, exclusivity in any form is eating away the vitals of the nations. A society that excludes and marginalizes its women is a society that denies itself the full potential of half of its population. It is undeniable fact that dismantling bias and breaking down stereotypes and promoting a fairer and just society by recognizing and appreciating the diversity of individuals will lead to a more levelled playing field reducing barriers that might otherwise hinder certain gender groups. Gender inclusive communities will promote understanding and cooperation among people from different backgrounds; help build social cohesion, reduce conflicts and foster a sense of unity among community members. Not only this but when women feel accepted and supported, it will positively impact their mental and emotional well-being, contributing to a healthier, informed, productive and dynamic overall society where everyone has the chance to thrive, resulting in a more equitable and harmonious community. When women are empowered, they will immeasurably improve the lives of everyone around them – their families, their communities and their countries. As such gender inclusion undoubtedly needs to be prioritized not only for the well being of the genders but for the overall progression of the society at large. However, it cannot be achieved in a single day. It is an ongoing process that involves a combination of strategies – educational equality, equal employment opportunities, political representation, leadership roles, encouraging open communication, equitable opportunities, cultural awareness, collaborative projects, feedback mechanisms – to create a social world where exclusion can be undone with.
Recognizing and valuing the contributions of women alongside men is essential for building a society that benefits everyone. So, inclusion is not a women’s issue, it is a human issue and a shared responsibility. Inspiring gender inclusion is not just the right thing to do; it is the smart thing to do because when women succeed, nations are more safe, secure and prosperous. However, gender equality is not about making women strong. Women are already strong. It is about changing the way the world perceives their strength.
Let us all collectively contribute towards building a future where diversity is not just celebrated but embraced as the driving force behind a more inclusive and equitable world. Let us give everyone an open sky to fly.
(The writer is Assistant Professor of
Sociology GDC Sidhra).
