Friday 3 November 2017
Madhu Nagla
The theoretical perspectives explain the unequal position of
women either due to patriarchal structure, biological phenomenon , differential
development , dependency on men, etc. Besides these , the role wo.en play in a
particular society and the images they develop are not simply from exigencies
of biology , development and social situations , but are rather deeply rooted
in the myths , legends , religion and culture.
The demographic
situation in India and Haryana as well is averse to the females . Excess female
child mortality after birth continues to be the dominant practice in removing
female children. Sex selection abortion is also accounted for gender bias and
making sex ratio unfavourable to women. Early marriage and more number of
pregnancies result in higher maternal mortality rates. Nutrition is an
important element in preserving health. Within households ,women and girls are
often discriminated against in food allocation. This type of discrimination starts
from child birth , with male baby being nursed for longer duration than baby
girls and continues over the life time. Adolescence is the period of growth and
the girls get less than the required daily allowance of nutrients; as a result
of this they do not achieve their growth potential causing risks during the
critical child bearing years. In the old age also women bear the burden of
malnutrition that started very early in life.
Also ,in time of food shortages , elderly women are most likely to be more
affected.
Women of all ages
have only poor access to the health care system but are also less likely to use
it. Gender bias in accessing and using health care starts early in life. More
boys are brought to clinics for treatment than girls. Girls are provided with
poorer medical care. This type of gender discrimination continues in later life
as well , where woman may downplay their morbidities , attempt home remedies
and seek traditional medical treatment before reaching the hospital. Health care
utilization behaviour of elderly women will also continue when the pattern is
set up in childhood.
Further , the
balatant targeting of women in family planning programmes has also adversely
affected their health. The lack of information and availability of different
family planning methods has its bearing on women's health. If the methods of
family planning are limited and women cannot control them , they have to depend
on medical staff.
Disproportionate emphasis on female sterilization , in
conjunction with a lack of concern about health outcomes for women , is a
manifestation of gender inequality built in the state government programmes as
well as in to Indian Society .
Source: Gender and
Health book - Madhu Nagla
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