Mark Xiao, G8, RDF International School What is sexism? Generally speaking, gender discrimination is a person’s prejudice and discrimination against gender. Sex discrimination can affect anyone, but it mainly affects women and girls. Why is there sexism? I think the main reason for this phenomenon is the role played by women in society, — compared to men who are more productive and dominant in society; women are less capable to speak for themselves. When it comes to a country that is the most sexist, you should think of India! In India, there is a serious gender inequality which can be seen from polygamy, and a large number of female victims of rape or sexual assault. What’s more, many women who are victims of domestic violence due to gender discrimination are willing to leave their husbands and never marry again. A question repeatedly occurs in my mind: How does the Indian society accept this treatment of women? I personally think it’s because of Indian culture and its illiteracy rate. According to data from the 2015-16 Indian Family Health Survey (NFHS-4), in rural areas, the illiteracy rate of women in all states except Meghalaya and Sikkim is significantly higher than that of men. The illiteracy rates of women in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh are the highest, which are 53.7 percent and 48.6 percent. Gender discrimination in rural areas with high illiteracy rates is the most serious. People in India’s rural areas are bound by traditional ideas of female inferiority, so abuse of women, rape of women and gender discrimination are more likely to occur. Fortunately, there are also many charitable organizations in India whose responsibility is to defend women’s rights and protect female victims. For example, “MAKE LOVE NOT SCARS” mainly helps victims of sulfuric acid. For various reasons, women are splashed with sulfuric by their husbands or families. This organization aims at helping these women regain self-confidence and solve their food and clothing problems. I believe that with the improvement of woman’s status in society, gender discrimination will gradually disappear in the whole public vision. | 