Ethics

10

Gender Discrimination and Unequal Treatment of Women

The word ‘gender’ refers to the state of being male or female with reference to social or cultural differences, whereas, the word ‘sex’ refers to the two main categories of male and female into which humans are divided on the basis of their reproductive functions. However, I prefer to adopt the convention of using both these words ‘gender’ and ‘sex’ as synonymous terms.

Women have traditionally suffered from prejudice and discrimination. Discrimination of women on the basis of gender is an arbitrary and irrational use of gender in awarding benefits or positions to them. Unequal treatment of women, with reference to gender or sex, raises certain significant philosophical and moral questions ...