What is Intersectionality?
Very often, we do hear this term 'intersectionality', but what does this mean? According to Merriam Webster, it means the complex, cumulative way in which the effects of multiple forms of discrimination (such as racism, sexism, and classism) combine, overlap, or intersect, especially in the experiences of marginalized individuals or groups. The social aspects overlapping each other to produce conditions against a particular community is a connotation of intersectionality.
Caste system and Women: A Historic Angle
Historically, Indian society was characterized by a very draconian and distorted system of caste hierarchy and the suppression that it rendered, facets of which continue to remain in the Indian society. The caste system divided the entire Hindu lineage into primarily four categories- Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and the Shudras. The main castes were further divided into about 3,000 castes and 25,000 sub-castes, each based on their specific occupation. Outside of this Hindu caste system were the Achhoots - the Dalits or the untouchables.
This categorisation created solid social walls between castes and prohibited interaction between them. Not only did this caste system oppress those in the lowest rung, but it also damaged the fabric of Indian society permanently for the worst. However, this doesn't place all Brahmin Women on the top of the hierarchy either. They were still under suppression by yet another system called patriarchy. Therefore, women, irrespective of the position they hold in the caste hierarchy, were historically clamped down by caste as well as patriarchy. Just imagine, if I add yet another dimension to it, i.e. class, what would be its impact on women? They will bear the brunt of a multi-dimensional arrangement of oppression comprising of gender, caste and poverty.
Poverty and Women
According to the latest Census report of India, women constitute 48% of the total population. 7% of this population consisting of Dalit women. They are the ‘equal’ citizens - but also equally Dalits, poor, and women. The bulk of India’s poor inhabits the rural areas. The rural poverty estimates noted 28 per cent of the population below the poverty line; while in urban areas, it was 26 per cent as of 2004-05. While rural poverty has declined from 37 per cent in 1993-94 to 28 per cent in 2004-05, the urban poverty estimates have decreased from 32 per cent to 26 per cent over the same period. Those who are poor bear a grave impact, but poor women bear all the more precarious impacts.
 |
| Source- Unsplash By- Belle Maluf |
Intersectionality of Poverty and Caste Oppression
When specific discussions are made around a particular gender in India, it is mainly about women or LGBTQA+ community. This is due to the historic exploitation endured by these communities, that has made them vulnerable and therefore this keeps them in highlights in the debate over intersectionality of caste and poverty. Most of the women in the lowest rung of society face sexual as well as physical violence from the upper castes on one hand and by their male counterparts, on the other hand. It is observed, more often than not, that women are being used as a tool to maintain the solid wall between castes. The recent Hathras case of Uttar Pradesh, the Asifa rape case of Jammu and Kashmir are some prime examples of such brute thinking. The women have been for long considered an open battlefield where wars in the name of caste, religion and class honour have been fought and won.
Impact, significance and relevance
Though most cases of violation of women’s rights go unreported, even those scant reported cases do not get easy access to justice and equality. Women from the poorest strata have to fight against a multi-layered structure of oppression and disapproval before finally getting justice. Any case of abuse, exploitation or violence against poor women from backward castes goes through numerous obstacles in their journey to justice. The women have to first fight against the members of their community and kin, as they fear a repulsive action against them by those who abused the women. After that, the police in different ways try to shove the case under the carpet, or do not pay attention, or even discourage and threaten the girl against raising her voice against the abusers. Even after that, if the girl goes on and files an FIR against the culprit, she is further abused by the family of the culprit or the culprit himself, due to the lack of legal responses that protect the victim. The legal battle tends to be prolonged and exhausting, which demands time, money and the privilege of moving on and reconciling with the past. Despite all these, the possibility of getting justice is bleak. However, no matter what the result is, in the end, she finds herself and her entire family ruined. She suffers physically, mentally and socially throughout the years of the proceedings of the case. For a poor backward caste woman, even justice delivered is synonymous to justice denied if she doesn't receive proper rehabilitation after the case.
Way forward
It is a matter of utmost concern that I can point out innumerable examples in the recent past alone, to prove the point of how class, caste and gender act as a triple edged knife, bleeding women inside-out. The three-tier oppression of caste, gender and poverty exacerbate the already poor condition of a woman to yet another level. What should we do? Can laws help? Can something on an international level be done? Are reservations enough? There is never a dearth of questions, once you put some thought on this issue.
According to me, the problem demands a multi-faceted solution. On an individual level, we need to renounce all kinds of discrimination and illogical expectations from women and stop perceiving sacrifice to be their duty to live by. At our family level, we need to treat each woman with respect and dignity. Mothers, daughters, sisters, wives should be treated as equally as fathers, sons, brothers and husbands. At the level of the government and law-making authorities, it is pertinent to realise that reservations are not enough and laws are meaningless if they are words that fail in translating to actions. Laws must be implemented and regulated as well by a responsible and accountable regulating authority. Since caste doesn't come under the purview of the international spectrum, the international platform could do less in this direction, but the global organisations can do a lot in eradicating poverty from the poorest nations that would benefit not just the women, but the entire humanity.
WRITTEN BY POOJA
Comments
Post a Comment