GD Topic: Is Gender Equality Desirable or a Burden?

Gender equality is certainly desirable, but needs to be implemented in a nuanced manner, so that all stakeholders are convinced of this need. It is crucial in nation building. Let's take a look at it as GD topic for MBA admission. 

By Aritro Dasgupta

This article was first pubilshed on July 28, 2022.

Gender equality is one of the most hotly debated topics anywhere in the world presently. Sometimes, these debates can even explode to all-out protests, that may even at times turn violent, as we have seen in several countries. Gender equality is certainly desirable, but needs to be implemented in a nuanced manner, so that all stakeholders are convinced of this need. A mere bulldozing of an ideal may not work, without the broader consent of society. And that is why Group Discussions (GDs) are needed on this topic.

A GD topic requires a multi-faceted approach. The aspirant needs to remain calm and not get too passionately involved. That is the reason why several management institutes conduct a GD for shortlisted candidates, to select the final list. A GD tests an MBA aspirant’s ability to think under pressure, reason out with peers, show leadership, and display a sense of coordination with others in a team, likely to be complete strangers. Current affairs topics are par for the course. So, students must be well- versed with major national and international news stories, in order to reason out, being supported by sound facts and figures. It is in that context, that the recent events in Iran, Afghanistan and even Finland need to be studied, to get a better view of gender equality and its feasibility.

While many aspirants would be aware of the Iran and Afghanistan situations, the case of Finland is intriguing. Finland, like its other Nordic neighbours, has long been a font of liberalism and gender equality. These countries tend to be right on top of most international social indicators. The country’s equality record is such that it ended up with a young, female Prime Minister, only thirty-four when she took on the mantle. She was praised for her excellent handling of the COVID-19 pandemic as well. Yet this year she faced trouble, not because of any policy issues, but due to her personal life. She was seen partying and the videos went viral. Several sections of the media started judging her for this personal trait, rather than on any policy matters. This clearly shows that even in the most progressive of countries, women’s equality is still a work in progress.

GD Topic: Is Gender Equality Desirable or a Burden?

This topic is one where finding cons would be extremely tough. Even if deep down, there is any aspirant who does not believe in this topic, one will struggle to spell it out in the actual GD. Yet, students would be well-advised to prepare each GD topic from both alternatives. So, let us explore some pros and cons of this:

Gender Equality: Pros

1. Increase in the workforce, as barring women would mean losing out on about half of any population’s potential workforce.
2. Better educated population, as women would strive to upskill themselves in order to outcompete others.
3. This in turn, will help weed out several social ills like dowry or female foeticide, as women will not be viewed as ‘burden’ any more.
4. Children brought up in households that believe in genuine equality will further enhance the quality of society, once they are adults.
5. Women bring glory to any country. Think of the massive contribution made by the likes of Sakshi Malik, Harnaaz Sandhu, Geetanjali Shree and Ruchira Kamboj have made for India in the recent years.
6. Women’s equality has also been observed to be good for any country’s family planning programmes, as educated women tend to have fewer children.
7. The global perception towards any country sees a massive improvement, when women can be observed free of the shackles and mobile on the streets.
8. With women entering the workforce in large numbers, other industries also get spawned, such as day-care centres or study tuitions, thus further fuelling employment.
9. Certain crimes on women can also be reduced significantly, with women being empowered. This is a two-way process, as even men need to recognize the importance of this concept.

Gender Equality: Cons

Although it is nearly impossible to find any cons of women’s equality, in a GD one must still be prepared for all kinds of eventualities. So, here are a few possible pointers:

1. Children can often grow up lonely with both their parents working and this can lead to learning gaps as well.
2. Couples from well- educated backgrounds can end up hogging most of the attractive jobs, while several families could see unemployment creep in.
3. Certain crimes on women can increase, especially in jobs that require late night office sitting and travel. To contain this, increased work-from-home arrangements can be a solution.
4. Women and men in the household can have particularly stressful weekends as household chores are generally catered to on those days.
5. Care for the elderly can suffer, as family-time tends to reduce.

The main lesson we draw from the above points is that viewpoints are perfectly fine, as long as the backing evidence is provided. Supporting examples need also to be drawn up. To prove one’s point, the GD participant must draw up data on the given topics from credible sources. Indexes and ranks released by bodies such as IMF (International Monetary Fund) or WEF (World Economic Forum) add further credibility. One needs to avoid getting much emotional. No brownie points are to be earned for screaming the most. Rather, one must work in tandem with everyone else in the panel.

About the Author:

Aritro Dasgupta is a Teacher, Trainer and Content Writer. He has taught at several leading colleges and coaching institutes in both India and the UAE. Several of his students have finished in the top 10 of various national level exams such as CLAT, AILET and DUJAT. He is also a prolific content writer, having written for several leading publications in India, while currently, also working for one in the USA.

 

 

 

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