Voices from Bengaluru: Women’s Equality Day highlights progress ...and the persisting challenges too

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: Women's Equality Day is celebrated on August 26 every year, commemorating the 1920 ratification of the 19th Amendment granting U.S. women the right to vote and serves as a moment to celebrate progress in gender equality while recognising ongoing challenges.

In Bengaluru, notable advancements in women's rights are evident, with increasing female representation in leadership and entrepreneurship, particularly within the IT sector.

Yet, challenges such as pay gaps, gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, domestic violence, and limited healthcare access continue to impact women across the city. News Trail spoke to women from diverse backgrounds in Bengaluru.

“Over the past decade, women's empowerment and gender equality have seen transformative shifts. Legislative advances have strengthened protections against domestic violence, workplace harassment, and gender discrimination, while movements like #MeToo have spurred policy changes. Women's political participation has increased globally, supported by quotas and affirmative action. Economic empowerment initiatives focus on closing the gender pay gap and promoting female leadership. Media representation of women has improved, and social media platforms have become key tools for raising awareness,” said Usha Iyer, Principal of The Green School Bangalore.

“Women have made significant strides, from increased representation in the workforce to 25 per cent of students in India’s top engineering institutions now being women. As more women reach leadership positions, challenges remain. Let us stay strong and focused, crossing every bridge to achieve our full potential,” said Meenakshi D'Souza, Professor and HoD, Department of CSE, IIIT-Bangalore.

“In light of the recent atrocities against women, it's imperative that we push for comprehensive legal and policy reforms to address the glaring gaps in our judicial system. Our demand is simple: Respect and Dignity. True women's equality will naturally follow when these fundamental rights are upheld,” said Uma Pendyala, Head Business Ops, SecurEyes.

“Over the past decade, the concept of equality has evolved from focusing on legal and civil rights to encompassing economic, social, and global dimensions. Initially centred on racial and gender equality, it now includes issues like economic disparity, intersectionality, and digital access. Current discussions emphasise both equality of opportunity and outcome, with a growing focus on diversity, inclusion, and addressing systemic inequalities,” said Shreshta T J, a student from JNC.

“The journey toward gender equality has been long and challenging. Despite laws like IPC, DV Act, and POSH, debates over punishments for such crimes persist. Alternative solutions, such as mandatory life imprisonment for repeat offenders, could serve as deterrents,” Himansi G Nirvan, 4th year, BBA LLB, St Joseph's College of Law said.