ELECTIONS '98
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Sexual discrimination the most in Punjab

Though Punjab is the richest state in India, women are worse off there than elsewhere in the country.

Oxfam programme administrator Prema Balasubramanium said there has been very little investment in South Asia to improve the basic capabilities of women and enable them to take full advantage of opportunities.

The poor status of women is not entirely dependent on economic factors. Punjab, in fact, is a prime example of discrimination at work. The malnutrition rate among girls in some rural areas is reported to be seven times higher than that of the boys, she said.

A number of recent reports have also underlined the fact that the overall scale of human deprivation in South Asia is very extensive, and its worst victims are women and the girl child.

On International Women's Day, Oxfam pledged to evolve a South Asia perspective in its programmes and work with community-based and non-governmental organisations to promote the interests of women and the girl child.

As part of its new regional perspective, Oxfam plans to focus on issues related to the empowerment of women through political participation and attainment of basic human rights.

Explaining the new thrust, public policy analyst Kanchan Sinha said, ''The discrimination against women in the South Asia region manifests itself in several forms from the cradle to the grave.''

Neglect of women in health care, education and other basic needs can be attributed to their low status. A regional approach is needed to correct this, he said.

Sinha said South Asia is the only region where men outnumber women. The global ratio of females to males is 106 to 100 while in South Asia it is only 94 to 100.

In Punjab, which has the worst record of all, the ratio of women to men is only 86 to 100.

While gender equality is not a goal in itself, it is a means to meeting the challenge of reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development and building good governance.

South Asia has tremendous development potential and efforts are needed to persuade policy makers and civil society institutions to correct the situation, Sinha said.

Progressive legislation by governments, activists, NGOs and women movements have helped women overcome a number of constraints, and led to the abolition of age old evil practices.

''But at no other time has the need to scale up such efforts been so pressing as now,'' Sinha said.

UNI

Elections '98

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