According to Lekha N.B., in spite of high literacy rates with its careful assignment in gender roles, gender discrimination in Kerala is touching all time high, compared to matriarchy centric primitive history of Kerala.[1]
According to Shoba Arun higher literacy levels among women in Kerala than women from the rest of the India along with Marumakkathayam system where in practice of matriliny, whereby inheritance of family property is traced through daughters, rather than sons, left-leaning social movements and progressive measures in education and health policies which enable women to enjoy a greater level of equal opportunities, thus usually women in Kerala are considered better placed on social development index in India. Shobha Arun says in spite of the claims of positive perception about Kerala as a progressive state Kerala of “empowered women” sits uncomfortably alongside rising levels of misogyny.[2]
Shobha Arun says, sexism in art and conversation, ongoing opposition for women’s entry into the Sabarimala Temple.[2] The higher echelons of political and economic power in Kerala are still dominated by men. In many ways, the Kerala model has not come to include or value its feminine capital by expanding the role of women as equals in society. Rather it has led to a loss or erosion of gender capital – as the escalating violence against women and girls shows.[2] Rising forms of patriarchial tendencies, such as the withdrawal of women from the labour market and dowry practices – where the bride’s parents pay a bride price to the groom – limit women’s meaningful participation in society.[2]
Bibliography
editReferences
edit- ^ N.B., Lekha (2021). Changing Identities and Hegemonic Masculinities: A study of Nair women in central Kerala. Ed.: Antony Palackal, Nandita Chaudhary, Giuseppina Marsico. Charlotte, NC. p. 177. ISBN 1-64802-322-3. OCLC 1204267061.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help)CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ a b c d Arun, Shoba. Adetunji, Jo (ed.). "Kerala was a beacon of hope for India on gender issues, but things are changing for the worse". The Conversation. Retrieved 2022-07-28.