A Study of the Challenges and Limitations Faced by South Asian Women Compared to the Other Regions

Abstract

According to HDSA (1997), South Asia is the world's most destitute region since it is extremely populated, heavily dependent on agriculture with low incomes. Gender inequality persists across the board in South Asian nations because of patriarchal social norms and attitudes. The region is also recognized as a "patriarch belt" (Caldwell, 1982), where men and women have different social statuses according to their kinship relationships. In contrast to the women in European countries, South Asian women are more concerned about personal needs than social needs. Accordingly, the main problem of this research is to identify the challenges and limitations faced by South Asian women compared to the other regions. The main objective of this research was to find out the main challenges and limitations faced by South Asian women compared to other regions. Moreover, the sub-objective was to identify measures that can be taken to prevent the challenges and limitations faced by South Asian women. The conceptual framework was developed using literature reviews, research articles, e-books, journals, printed materials and relevant websites as secondary data collection methods to interpret the findings. According to those secondary sources, six main challenges and limitations faced by South Asian women compared to the other regions were found ; challenges in education sector, challenges in marriage institution, challenges in media and technology, limited access to health care, limitations in political institution, challenges in profession; gender pay gap, sexual harassment, pregnancy discrimination. To overcome all these challenges and limitations faced by South Asian women, everyone should work to ensure women are safe while educating all girls and women in decision-making independently. Adopting these measures can solve the problems and ensure that South Asian women are no longer prejudiced on the basis of their gender.