Hindu Philosophical Traditions and the Gender Question in India: A Re-Assessment

Ele Samson

Department of History,

Gombe State University, Gombe, Nigeria

E-mail: elesamson@gmail.com

Abstract                                                        

The gender question in India has attracted international attention consequent on the intensity of discrimination and violence against women in that part of the Asian subcontinent. The phenomenon is manifested in women’s low access to education, credit facilities, employment opportunities in the organized public sector and landed assets. Again, it could be gleaned from the preponderance of gang rape, dowry deaths, female feticides and infanticides e.t.c. It has been argued that the Hindu philosophical tradition is responsible for the gender question in the country due to the Caste System and Patriarchal ideology it entrenched in the society. It is against this backdrop that the paper re-evaluates the causes and nature of gender discrimination and violence in India. It established that Hinduism cannot be solely projected as the springboard for the gender issues as capitalism and the quest for private wealth accumulation, the comparative advantage of, and economic value attached to the male-child, instilled a monopolizing culture amongst the male folks bent on dominating all spheres of the Indian society from politics to economy even socially. This, in no small measure, culminated in the relegation of women to second class citizens and/or at the commencement of life, unwanted foetus and infants. Yet, there have been series of Conventions aimed at addressing the gender question worldwide which amongst others include the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Beijing Convention which endorsed 30% women representation in politics. Despite government ratification of these and the enactment of laws to halt the tides, the gender issues in India are still on the increase.The paper therefore recommends attitudinal change towards the female gender to pave way for their contributions in the attainment of sustainable national development in India.