Patriarchy is the least noticed yet the most significant structure of social inequality.

20/9/2024 Patriarchy is the least noticed yet the most significant structure of social inequality. (125 M) In 1848, Savitribai Phule opened the first girls school in Pune and became the first female teacher of India. This was unwelcomed by the orthodox men and women. They hurled dung at her and ostracized her family. This, however, didn't stop her.

She carried a spare saree before teaching and continued educating girls. This incident reveals that women were not allowed for education and they were to confine to home. It shows the subjugation of women by men. This subjugation in the name of "Patriarchy" is least noticed because it is normal for a woman to not seek education and lock up in homes. Their responsibility is confined to the households. This least noticed structure culminates into social inequality. this essay delves into the structure of patriarchy, why it is least noticed, inequalities faced by women, their prospects and a way forward. Patriarchy - a least noticed structure Patriarchy is a social system where men holds the power and control. Their domination results in subjugation of women. This system can be seen historically. During the ancient India, daughters were considered as liability. Their education and liberty were restrained. This pattern passed on from generation to generation which made us to think it as natural. Think this as a tradition where our parents told us not to question it. In our home, we can see the gendered division of labor where mother cooks and take care of households where fathers works. No one questioned why father can't cook. Because this division can be seen in our ancient time itself. According to the Time use survey 2025, gendered division of labour starts during the childhood and expands after the age. since girls holds domestic works which costs them their leisure time. This division from the childhood ingrains into our mind. Traditions and customs also plays a role in the least notice of Patriarchy. For instance, wives are not allowed to tell the name of their husbands. During the preparation of 1951 first general election, Election commission of India faced a challenges that women refused to give their husband's name, which resulted into A's mother or B's wife. The uttering of husband's name is considered as disrep disrespect shows the control of men. A great debate revolves around the dressing of women. Recently, GIVA - a jewelry brand faced a severe backlash over the dressing of actress Kriti Sanon in the advertisement. In every circumstances, women always have to dress modestly. It shows the control of men over women not in dress, but also in the reproduction where the women lacks the decision on the right over her body. Thus, patriarchy act as a least noticed structure because of traditions, integration into our daily life and showing it as natural.

Culmination of Patriarchy - social inequality As women are facing the Patriarchy from the ancient time itself resulting in inequality in various areas. First and foremost thing as inequality starts from the home itself. For instance, in the movie "English Vinglish" where a woman struggles to speak in English where her family mocks at her. Apart from her home, she faces inequality in the society. Women are paid low wages compared to men in the same work. This wage gap restricts her empowerment. Our constitution also promotes equal pay for men and women under Article 39(d) of Directive Principles of State Policy. In political environment, women are poor in number. In the 18th Lok Sabha, women members of Parliament constitute only 13.8% out of 543 elected seats. Moreover, women are not more than 20% in the state's assembly. The domination of men also known as "glass ceiling" which is an invisible barrier stops women from getting top leadership and high-paying jobs. To address this, the government of India introduced women's reservation in parliament which constitutes 33%. Moreover, Moreover, the role of women in workforce contributes to the increase of GDP. According to the World Bank, addressing the wage gap in workforce contributes over 20% of GDP. Also, increasing the women in workforce by 50% contributes 1% increase of India's GDP. It shows the potentiality of women. However, according to Periodic Labor Force Survey 2025, women stay out of labor force due to childcare and household responsibilities. It reveals that men are not playing role in that showcasing the gendered division of labor. In Nordic countries, men are involving in childcare due to the Paternity leave provided by the government. Also, in Keralam provides paternity leave for the government employees. This helps in participation of women in laborforce. As we can see, Nordic women are the most employed in the world. This traditional division affects not only women but also men. We can see this in the case of Charles Moritz, an unmarried man who challenged the court for refusal of tax reduction for caring which is allowed only for women and married men. Then, the court favored him and acting as precedent that law as protective can also perpetuate inequality. We can also see the law to combat gender stereotypes in Supreme court's handbook where it changed terms such as "homemaker" instead of housewife, "street sexual harrassment" instead of eve-teasing, to promote gender parity. Reforms to reduce inequality not only to address the women empowerment but also the role of men. For instance, He for she campaign which engages men and boys to promote equality. Moreover, in India, the ministry of Panchayati Raj introduced Nirbhay Chetna to sensitize elected male representatives on gender equality. Moreover, the patriarchal system shows the power and control by men where they themself also affected by it. For inst men are considered as bread-winners of the family where Japan's "salary-man" culture affected men by continuous work and loyalty resulting in "Karoshi" - dead by overwork. Therefore, the existing structure should address not only women but also men to promote a equal sustainable society.

As Emma Watson quotes "Gender equality not only liberates women but also men from prescribes gender sterotypes". An androgynous mind - a state of creative and psychological wholeness where a person's mind combines both male and female qualities rather than restricted by gender binaries. This harmonized mind and attitude of Savitribai Phule made the importance of role of women not only in the house but also in the society. Her foundation makes our path easy to climb the ladder of our life.