Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'End gender bias' that was published in Newsband

End gender bias

Any attempt to perpetuate gender bias must be nipped in the bud. Any publicity disturbing sex ratio must be sternly dealt with. The 2011 census showed that for every 1000 boys there were only 914 girls. We have, down the ages, been battling with the social disease of preference to a male child to that of a girl child, in India. If rationalism and true scientific approach are shed in order to facilitate obscurantism and dogma, the future of India does not look so bright.

The recent trend of referring to actresses as 'actors' in the media, on the specious plea of doing away with discrimination on gender, is a good idea. So that Aishwarya Rai Bachchan or Rekha is referred to as 'actor' Aishwarya Rai Bachchan or 'actor' Rekha. This will certainly do justice to those people feeling 'oppressed' by the concept of male domination.

In most countries, women receive second class status, with their rights severely restricted in many cases. Even in more advanced countries with laws to prevent gender discrimination, women still earn less than men and receive less respect. Reducing gender discrimination is a lofty goal with many obstacles. Though government regulations certainly help the situation, the real method to reduce gender discrimination is through education and changing the ways that people think about gender roles.

Pay attention to the ways that you form gender in your children's upbringing. Children learn gender at an early age from the people around them--little girls learn to play with dolls, while little boys play with trucks.

Reduce gender discrimination in the classroom. Without realizing it, many teachers favor male students. This may come in the form of asking boys more difficult questions or interrupting girl students while they are speaking.

Provide adequate health care to all people. Without health care, women are at a higher risk for death due to complications from pregnancy. This is especially true in developing countries.

The media often represent negative images of both genders--women are stupid, weak and should be sexually available at all times; men should avoid their emotions and are animals that cannot control their sexual desires. As these types of images repeat, they become so enmeshed in the psyche of society that some people accuse a woman who's been sexually assaulted of deserving the assault.

Recruit men in the fight against gender discrimination. Men should take part in resisting gender discrimination--by treating women with respect, by paying female employees the same rates as men. With the proper company policies in place, discrimination can be reduced or eliminated.

When managers get together to discuss hiring a candidate, the information given should be based on the candidate's qualifications. The candidate's name and gender should be kept out of the final decision process. When considering promotions within the company, use the employee's accomplishments and background without including the name or gender in the discussion. All qualified employees should be considered for promotions based on their record with the company.

It is unlawful to discriminate against anyone based on their gender, according to federal law outlined by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. When you make employees understand the legal consequences of gender discrimination, you can make gender equality part of your corporate culture. When new employees enter the company, they will be entering an environment that is gender friendly.