Gender Paradox In Kerala Society and Its

The PPT details about gender paradox in Kerala

1. GENDER PARADOX IN KERALA

2. What is Gender? Socially constructed roles, behaviours and expression. As per Feminist Geography, it is considered as a social construct, shaped by cultural norms, power and social expectations. Gender identity is not confined to a binary nor is it static, it exists along a continuum and change over time.

3. Then What’s Sex? Sex refers to biological and Physiological characteristics in humans and animals. It includes chromosomes, genes, hormone level and reproductive anatomy. Sex remains the same, it doesn’t change on basis of time and culture. Gender is definitely a social construct, primarily used to supress. Legally the society now accepts ‘third gender’. Gender theory dates back from the ancient patriarchal society. Gender roles and expectations often do change with time and culture. Gender destinations are created on the basis of social norms

4. Paradox! A situation or statement that seems impossible or is difficult to understand because it contains two opposite facts or characteristics. Example: To get experience, you need a job But to get a job, you need experience!!

5. Gender as the Biggest Paradox! Biological constrains refers gender as a physical character, while it is definitely a societal made. Gender do change over time, it isn’t a static one!. We do often argue for Gender equality, but culture still remains it’s roots in patriarchy. Gender is often diverse, and there is a huge difficulty in explaining gender. The world refuses to see who you really are!

6. In 2023, Kerala ranks second in HDI Index, also Kerala ranks top in Gender Equality Index. Meanwhile the female work participation ratio is 36.4%, surpassing national average. Considering the literate society,(Kerala female literacy rate 92%) Kerala becomes a Paradox. Source; Dr John Mathai Centre, Calicut University The women folk in Kerala is highly educated even though, they do lack economic independence. Kerala do have a 50% women reservation in Panchayati raj institutions, but why do Kerala have a small share of Women legislators?. Why Kerala doesn’t have a Women CM Yet? Kerala’s Youth do have a good educational background, but the dowry cases are been raised considerably!. During the age of Gender equality, why does Gender neutral toilets in Maharajas and Gender neural uniforms become sensational? Kerala government do bring up lots of schemes helping trans community, why doesn’t the society accept them as they are?

7. Dimensions

8. Historical Perspectives Among Nairs and several other castes, matrilineal system gives women inheritance rights through the maternal line. However, decision making power rested with the maternal uncle not women themselves. The Christian missionaries, princely rulers and reformers like Sree Narayana Guru, Ayyankali , and Chattampi Swamikal promoted female education. But the focused more on “the domestic woman”. Rise of nucleated families decreased the woman property rights. Women was framed as the “mother of the nation”. By the decline of matriliny their economic dependence increased! As per land reforms, land was registered on the name of the man. Women gained education but lower work force participation.

9. The gulf boom increased dowry demands. Kerala women became highly literate and healthy, but economically sidelined. Kerala model of development depicts high HDI, but low women participation. British colonials brough “Victorian notions of femineity”. “the cult of domesticity” was upheld. Emphasis on female chastity, modesty and obedience. Colonial reforms implicated the idea of male bread winner and dependent wife. The Victorian education made woman literate, but focused on imparting the theme “good wives and mothers”. Curriculum stressed religious morality, needle work, domestic science etc. Christian missionary stressed matriliny as immoral

10. Reforms brought visibility, but forced women to become tradition bearers. Victorian morality confine woman to domestic responsibility.

11. What’s going around us?

12. There are a lot of people in our society! Often unclassified under the social arm of gender. The LGBTQIA+ community do often face assault in our society. We do often observe pride month doesn’t we? But the society often do target and bully them. Assault verbally and physically can be seen throughout the globe. Kerala government often tries to create a safe space for “trans community”, i.e. the constitutionally accepted third gender. But why doesn’t the society accept them as one of? Assaults against transgenders have been reported in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. But, some people do often utilize the provisions provided! Back in 2021 a transgender was convicted sexual assault in Chirayinkeezhu . They aren’t any reserved seat for men in buses and other sources! When we argue for gender equality, isn’t it our duty to create equal spaces.

13. Athulya – July 2025 Vipanchika and Vaibhavi – June 2025 Vismaya – 2020 Uthara – 2021 Vandana Das – 2023 May List of Women, victim of domestic violence and assault! Does the list end here! How do we make a change?

14. Government Schemes Kudumbashree Mission 50% reservation in local bodies. She Taxi Nirbhaya initiative Sree Shakthi Lottery Kerala State Women Development Corporation’ Gender Park Women’s Component Plan She Lodge and She Toilets Snehitha Gender Help Desk Entrepreneurship Development Programme Pink Police Patrol Vanitha Mathil Safe Kerala Initiative

15. Now It’s an open discussion! What we could do?

16. Reference Rasmi Binoy. (2023, December 13). Prasanth Vijays Film Daayam Unravels Keralas Gender Paradox Amidst Grief and Patriarchy. The Wire. https://m.thewire.in/article/film/prasanth-vijays-film-daayam-unravels-keralas-gender-paradox-amidst-grief-and-patriarchy   GUPTA, M. (2003, February 10). Kerala gender paradox. Telegraphindia.com; Telegraph India. https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/kerala-gender-paradox/cid/837791     Unveiling the Gender Paradox. (2022). Google Books. https://books.google.co.in/books?hl=en&lr=&id=e9l-EAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP5&dq=gender+paradox+in+kerala&ots=RcnZLioZ29&sig=TloBYZHpWcQtdJtcua3a93tpyG0&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=gender%20paradox%20in%20kerala&f=false   J. Devika, & Thampi, B. V. (2012). New Lamps for Old? Zubaan .