Gender has been a social construct for centuries, and has been a barrier for women. From deciding the deadline to return home to the kind of job to choose, gender is always taken into consideration.
However, there has been a transition over time in the way people perceive gender. A few initiatives by individuals, groups and the Government have been successful in bringing about a change in the way gender inequality has been tackled, especially in the job sector.
Jobs which are easy to perform and involve emotions such as care and compassion are said to be traditionally suitable for women and those that require physical strength and heightened mental abilities are predominantly reserved for men.
In the past few years, more women have ventured into professions conventionally thought of as men’s domain. Renju, who used to work as a domestic help is now a proud auto driver in Kochi. She has been in this profession for the past two years. Renju was one among the five women from Shantipuram Colony, Thammanam, who were given Rs. 15,000 as initial investment to buy an autorickshaw by S.D. Convent. The rest of the money would have to be paid in instalments by the women drivers. The convent has changed the lives of five women of the backward Shantipuram Colony by making them financially independent.
Women feel safe while travelling in their autos and they prefer them to men drivers if they have to send their children alone. “There have been times when I had to rush to the hospital because of some emergency call in the middle of the night, I feel my sole purpose should be to serve people,” says Renju.
The women say there has been immense support from their male co-workers and family. Initially, there were plenty of problems, including the possession of the license. Being a school dropout, Renju couldn’t procure a driving license as the minimum qualification required is Class X. After attending private weekend classes at St. George’s school for a year, she wrote the SSLC exam in 2014. “My son wants to be a pilot. I will work hard to make his dream a reality,” she says.
Renju earns a major portion of her income from school trips. She leaves the auto stand by 6 p.m. and then continues with her household chores. She is of the opinion that the job has helped her earn more respect and satisfaction and says that this has inspired many other women in her neighbourhood.
Ramani Sajeevan’s is another inspiring story. She works as a bus conductor in a bus owned and operated by the Kudumbashree unit of Edakkattuwayal. ‘Kudumbashree Travels’ was started in 2012 as there were few buses in the area. Ramani, 41, says although the conductor’s job is not very challenging, it is a bit tiring. Travellers and people on the road look up to her with respect. Ramani earns Rs. 300 a day and gets an off on Sunday. She chose this job herself and says it has only increased her self confidence. Support from her husband has been the ultimate motivation for her to keep going with all her heart.
“Another bus is going to hit the road under the banner of ‘Kudumbashree Travels’ from Edakkattuwayal to Peruva very soon with all women staff members,” says Omana Balakrishnan, Chairperson of the Community Development Society, Kudumbasree, Edakkattuwayal.
Being out of the house till late in night was not something women did until a few years ago. But now there are women who work into the wee hours to gain a better standard of living. From being a worker at a hospital and a domestic help, Ajitha Mohan has done a few jobs. Now, she works at a petrol pump, TVA fuels, situated at Puthiya Road. She begins her day at 1 p.m. and works till 10 p.m. Her spouse Mohan P.R., a tourist transport driver, found this occupation for her. Auto drivers and adjacent shop owners give her additional care and support as she is alone at the fuel pump. At first she was frightened, however, as the time passed she has become confident. “I have the freedom of shifting timings, and can go to important places and events without taking a chance with my job. My perception about men have changed, too,” says Ajitha.
Construction work is done by men in most parts of India. But in Kerala, women are as competent as men in the job. Bina, a contactor and ITI confirmation holder, who manages a group of 8 women construction workers, is an example. Her small scale unit of Kudumbashree altogether works as an accredited agency and takes up government contracts for building houses.
What Bina’s team does includes a contract it undertook to build 100 houses recently, under the Tribal Development scheme. To build each house with a financial plan of Rs. 2.5 lakh for the tribal people in and around Eddakattuwayal, was a challenge. But when other contractors stepped back seeing no scope for substantial benefit, Bina and team decided to go ahead. Due to the lack of space in accommodating roads, the whole plan was altered and redesigned by them. It now consists of 87 houses of 326 sq. ft. each, proper roads, an anganwaadi, a community hall, shops, and a vegetable garden as well.
Usually women are considered to be helpers in the construction business, but women working in Bina’s group are all masons trained in all kinds of works starting from laying the foundation to the plastering of newly-built walls.
“Job satisfaction counts more than earning a fat salary, people who mocked us in the beginning now support us. Even if there is very little profit, we don’t mind because this job gives us a chance to learn,” says Bina.
