Gender discrimination in Sri Lankan workplace

Gender discrimination in Sri Lankan workplace Gender is simply defined as a set of characteristics or traits that are associated with a certain biological sex (male/female). These characteristics are generally referred to as “masculine” or “feminine. Though people are biologically different, both men and women have various different skills, abilities and cognitive capabilities. It is no doubt that works done by men can be done by women also. Though, everyone talks about gender equality, mainly treating women equally as men, it is a question whether women gets their due place in the society especially at workplace. Gender discrimination which refers to the practice of granting or denying rights or privileges to a person based on their gender is a famous topic in the world. Mostly, gender discrimination in the workplace is a famous topic. This attempt is to check whether gender discrimination exists in Sri Lankan workplace. When considering the gender discrimination in the world, modern research studies show still there exists gender discrimination. This was clearly proved by the research study done by Elisabeth Kelan (www.psychiocentral.com., 09.10.2009). According to her research, the gender discrimination at the work place is possible in modern organizations, but at the same time, the workers maintain their work place to be gender neutral. According to the World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Report, no country in the world has yet managed to eliminate the gender gap. The Sri Lankan organizations and companies provide facts for and against for gender discrimination. In Sri Lanka, a large number of both male and female employees work in government and private organizations, factories, institutes and companies. Specially, the women’s contribution for the economic development of the country is valuable and high. Women do various jobs form the executive director post to the labor post in Sri Lankan companies. When we consider the government sector of the country, we can see that a large number of women are engaged in government jobs. Some women hold very high posts in government organizations. The executive director post, manager post etc. are fine examples. Actually, their payment is equal to male’s payment of the same post. In the same way, the honor and respect of the post is given to the women who hold the post. No one challenge their decision. So, we can see that glass ceiling theory is not in some places of Sri Lankan workplace. In Sri Lanka, there are women as employees in political sector, administration sector, education sector etc. They do the same jobs as males. In Sri Lankan parliament there are ten female parliament members. Upekhsha Swarnamali, Pavitra Wanniarcchi, S. Fernandupulle are fine examples. They have been selected by both male and female votes. They do their duty just like male parliament members. They control their province or district and they are responsible for their province or district. Other male parliament members do not interfere with their work. In the same way, the former president of Sri Lanka, Mrs. Chandrika Bandaranayaka Kumaratunga was a female and her mother Sirimavo Bandaranayaka was once became the prime minister of Sri Lanka. The question arises if Sri Lankan people consider gender discrimination did they choose a female as the president. So, we can see that in political sector in Sri Lanka, women hold a very high and respectable position though they are limited in number. But, again there arises a doubt whether that limited number means gender discrimination because a considerable number of females stood for vote. But, only a few numbers of them were selected by people. In the same way, when we consider the administration sector of Sri Lanka, we can see that women hold a very important place. In Sri Lank there are female district secretariats and they control their area. And also, there are a lot of female Gramasewakas in Sri Lanka. They all are paid as male and they also receive the same respect like males. In the same way, there are a lot of female doctors, nurses, judges, lawyers, etc. Everyone accept that a female nurse can do better her job than a male nurse. It is an accepted opinion among Sri Lankan people. People actually respect female nurses and doctors. Those female doctors and nurses are paid just like males according to the work done. The chief judge of Sri Lanka is also a female. So, we can see that gender discrimination is low in Sri Lankan workplace. In education sector also, a large number of women are employed. Most of the teachers in schools are females. Some female teachers are principles of schools. For examples, principles of Vishaka, Viharamahadevi, Gotami schools in Colombo are females. The male teachers work under those female principles following female principles’ orders. The salary of a male and female principle is also qual. Both male and female are paid according to the work they do. In universities of Sri Lanka also, there are female lecturers, senior lecturers, doctors and professors. They are paid as male lecturers. And also they represent the faculty board. Their decision is highly accepted. The former dean of the Faculty of Arts of our University was a female. So, we can see that in Sri Lankan education sector, women hold a very important place and we can’t see apparent gender discrimination. But, it is also true that most of the heads of the departments of the Faculty of Arts of our University are males. Though it is true that some of the teachers in some schools are physically and mentally harassed, those cases are few. Today, there is a developing tendency not to consider gender in the selection process both in government and private sectors. But, it is not always correct. Though women high posts in Sri Lankan organizations, it does not say that there is no gender discrimination in workplace. Even in Sri Lankan army forces and engineering sector also, there are women. They work like males and also earn equally to males. But, there are some instances that females are treated differently in this sector mainly gaining promotions. In the same way, some male hesitate to marry a female solder or women who engage in engineering sector, especially air hostess etc. Because men think that those women’s character is not so good specially air hostess’s and women soldiers. But, people do not look at male who are engaged in those jobs from that angel. So, it shows some kind of gender discrimination. Sri Lankan people also have a negative attitude towards women who go abroad. There are some evidences to prove that there is gender discrimination in workplace. I can remember one important incident mentioned in a newspaper that depicts gender discrimination. In a male three-wheeler park one woman has started to hire her three wheeler. Then other male drivers has opposed it and they have appointed various rules on her if she hires. When there is no male driver in the park, then she has been allowed to hire. So, it clearly shows gender discrimination. It is true that a large number of females are employed in Sri Lankan private companies, institutions and factories. Most of the garment factories in Sri Lanka run thorough women. Most of the employees of garment factories are females. Mainly the supervisor post in garment factories is done by a female. When female employees work in the night they are paid according to hours just like men. But, it s notable that though women hold post like supervisor, it is rare that they hold posts like directors and managers in private sector. But, there are women who hold such posts in Sri Lankan companies. The director of the Nawaloka enterprises is a female. There is an opinion among Sri Lankan people if girl works in a garment factory they are condemned. That is why songs like “ lgqkdhl we÷ï uyk wfma kx.sg - yskd fjkak tmd Tfydu iuÉpf,ag ” have been written. But, males who work in garment factories are not condemned and over looked like that. In the same way, women are subjected to physical mainly sexual and mental harassment in their workplaces. Some males ask for sex for giving a job to a female. So, all these facts clearly prove that there is a gender discrimination. When we consider the labor employees in Sri Lankan organizations and companies we can see considerable gender discrimination. Actually, a large number of females work in large estates like tea, rubber and coconut. In those estates, both men and women have to do the same work most of the time. But, their wage is lower than male workers. So, it means there is gender discrimination. The very important fact is that the high posts of estates are mostly held by males. The manager of a tea estate is mostly a male. But, according to a research done by Aphichoke Kotikula and Jennifer Solotaroff, the Sri Lankan females get a considerable and satisfying wage in state sector comparing to other jobs (Gender Analysis of Labor in Sri Lanka’s Estate Sector, 22. 09. 2002). According to International Labor Organization in Sri Lanka, male who are economically active is 75.7% while female is 36.5%. of the whole population (2006). So, we can see that there is a large difference between these statistics. In the same way according to a seminal study undertaken by a team at the University of Peradeniya has delved deep into the statistics on wages in both the public and private sector to reveal much wider gaps between male and female wages than average statistics usually indicate. According to them there is a 33% wage gap and it means women earn 66% less than men. As they say wage gaps at the top end of the spectrum are considerably smaller in the public sector at around 5-6%, but remain high in the private sector, at around 20% (www.dailymirror.lk, 28.05.2012). So, these statistics highly emphasize that there is a gender discrimination in Sri Lankan workplace. Sports or athletic events are an area where gender differences are exaggerated to a visible extreme in Sri Lanka. Men generally compete in sports that require muscle and strength, while women generally compete in sports that require flexibility and finesse. Men play sports such as football, hockey, rugby, basketball etc. where physical strength is a requirement for nearly every player of each of the sports listed above. In the same way, men compete in sports that garner a lot of attention, pay extremely high wages and gain them fame and recognition, where as women compete in sports that are rarely watched, offer miniscule salaries, and garner very little, if any attention. (www.dailymirror.lk.,5.12.2006) So, we can see clearly that there is a gender discrimination in sport sector in Sri lanka. But, it is also true that we still respect and honor female athletes like Susantika and Damayanti. When considering above mentioned facts it is clear that Sri Lankan women are given a considerable respectful place in their workplace though it is not true always. Female employees are honored and respected according to the post. But, in some cases it is true that they do not get their place according to their qualifications and they are over looked based on their gender. So, as a whole, we can say that though there is still gender discrimination in Sri Lankan workplace, women get a considerable respectful place. Gender discrimination in Sri Lankan workplace is not high.