Guru Nanak’s Call For Gender Equality In The Globalized World – Analysis

Gender discrimination continues to be a widespread challenge in our globalized world, affecting nearly every aspect of women’s life—economic, political, social, and cultural. Globalization has ushered in remarkable economic growth and technological progress, yet it has simultaneously highlighted and intensified numerous disparities, especially those concerning with gender.

In many developing countries, women persistently encounter discrimination manifested in numerous ways, including disparities in pay, restricted access to education and healthcare, limited political representation, and the ongoing reinforcement of patriarchal norms. In confronting these enduring challenges, the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, provide a compelling framework for tackling gender inequality, grounded in the principles of equality, justice, and respect for every individual, irrespective of gender.

Guru Nanak was born in 1469 in a landscape which characterized by social stratification, inequality, religious discord and gender discrimination. His teachings, which transcended temporal and spatial boundaries, as well as sectarian divisions, urged a profound re-evaluation of social cohesion and ethical duty. The 555^th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji is commemorated on Guru Nanak Jayanti 2024, a day of celebration, reverence, and contemplation. Additionally, this presents an opportunity to contemplate the teachings of a spiritual master (Guru) who dedicated his life to the promotion of compassion, equality, and love. Not only is Guru Nanak Dev Ji revered as a religious Guru, but he is also regarded as a spiritual visionary and social reformer as well. His teachings provide a foundation for the establishment of peace and unity among all human divisions, emphasizing the inherent oneness of humanity with gender equality.

The quest for gender equality has constituted a sustained effort across global societies, marked by significant progress over the past century; nevertheless, challenges remain prevalent even till today. In the present age characterized by globalization, the significant advancements in technology, the interconnection of economies, and the diverse array of cultural exchanges have cultivated an unprecedented degree of connectivity. Nevertheless, this advancement has concurrently encountered by gender disparities. Women consistently face systemic challenges across various spheres of existence, encompassing inequities in pay gap, political representation, as well as limited access to education and healthcare.

The transformative concepts articulated by Guru Nanak Dev Ji concerning the inherent equality of all individuals, regardless of gender, caste, or creed, critically interrogate the deeply rooted patriarchal norms that have historically dominated societies worldwide. The teachings articulated in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred scripture of Sikhism, advocate for a vision of an inclusive and egalitarian society wherein both women and men are granted equal respect and dignity. It is emphasized that the intrinsic value of an individual is determined by their actions and character, rather than by their gender. The contemporary society may derive valuable insights from the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji in addressing gender inequalities within the context of globalization. His emphasis on justice, empowerment, and spiritual equality provides critical perspectives for fostering a more equitable and inclusive society.

Gender Discrimination in the Globalized World

The phenomenon of globalization has introduced significant opportunities for economic advancement, technological innovation, and cultural exchange; nonetheless, it has concurrently brought to the forefront persistent gender disparities. Notwithstanding the progress achieved in the quest for equality, gender discrimination remains a deeply rooted challenge worldwide, manifesting in economic inequalities, restricted access to educational opportunities, insufficient political representation, and pervasive instances of gender-based violence.

The examination of gender discrimination within the workplace uncovers enduring challenges linked to occupational segregation, defined as the allocation of individuals to various occupations predicated on gender. This phenomenon may be classified into two distinct dimensions: horizontal segregation and vertical segregation. Horizontal segregation denotes the perception that individuals of different genders exhibit distinct capabilities, which consequently results in the delineation of job roles along gender lines. Conversely, vertical segregation underscores the hierarchical division of occupations based on power, authority, income, and prestige, frequently leading to the marginalization of women and non-binary individuals from elevated status roles.

The 2024 Global Gender Gap Index (GGGI) offers a thorough evaluation of gender parity among 146 countries since its establishment in 2006. The index evaluates gender parity through four distinct dimensions by employing a scoring system ranging from 0 to 100, which reflects the percentage of the gender gap that has been closed. The principal findings indicate that the global gender gap score is currently at 68.6%, which signifies a slight enhancement of 0.1 percentage points compared to the preceding year. Nonetheless, the gradual rate of advancement indicates that the attainment of complete gender parity is projected to require roughly 134 years, which extends considerably past the target set by the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). It is noteworthy that, although no nation has achieved complete parity, 97% of the economies have successfully closed over 60% of their respective gaps, representing an increase from 85% in the year 2006.

The recent data concerning global labor-force parity reveals encouraging progress; however, it simultaneously underscores enduring regional disparities and structural challenges that remain prevalent. The labor-force participation rate for women has attained a level of 65.7% within a consistent sample of economies since the year 2006, exhibiting a modest increase to 66.7% when considering the expanded sample for 2024. Although this increase signifies a positive trajectory towards gender parity in the workforce, the advancements are not uniformly allocated across different regions. High-income countries typically exhibit more substantial participation rates and are nearer to attaining gender parity, whereas lower-income regions experience a more gradual advancement owing to socio-economic, cultural, and institutional obstacles that restrict women’s employment prospects.

Women represent 42% of the global workforce; however, they occupy merely 31.7% of senior leadership positions, thereby highlighting a notable disparity in the progression to higher echelons of leadership as they advance in their careers. Although approximately fifty percent of entry-level positions are occupied by women, a mere twenty-five percent of C-suite roles are held by females. This disparity highlights a significant decline of 21.5 percentage points in the representation of women as they ascend the corporate hierarchy. Notwithstanding previous advancements, the representation of women in leadership positions has experienced a significant regression, decreasing from 37.5% in 2021 to 36.4% in the early months of 2024, thereby falling below the levels observed prior to 2021. The current downturn is associated with difficult macroeconomic conditions that have notably affected the advancement of women into senior positions. 

The disparities in gender representation are significantly distorting the trajectory of technological advancement. The representation of women in both science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields and non-STEM workforces has seen an increase since 2016. Nevertheless, women continue to be underrepresented in STEM positions, accounting for merely 28.2% of the STEM workforce, in contrast to 47.3% within non-STEM sectors. The transition from entry-level positions to C-suite roles is notably more significant within STEM occupations compared to non-STEM roles.

Women constitute more than fifty percent of the workforce in non-STEM occupations, whereas their representation in STEM fields is limited to approximately one-third. Consequently, they constitute a quarter of non-STEM leaders, while representing slightly more than one-tenth within the STEM fields. This situation presents women with a dual disadvantage concerning transitions in technology and the workforce, as they persist in holding positions characterized by lower growth and lower remuneration, which are likely to be adversely impacted in the short term.

Insights from Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Teachings

The teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, which constitute the bedrock of Sikh philosophy, promote a societal framework in which gender discrimination is abolished, and women are accorded the same dignity and respect as their male counterparts. The teachings articulated within the Sikh scripture, Sri Guru Granth Sahib, underscore the principles of universal equality, the unity of humanity, and the significance of both spiritual and social justice.

From the inception of his teachings, Guru Nanak Dev Ji critically interrogated the patriarchal frameworks prevalent in his era, scrutinizing the societal conventions that assigned women to subordinate roles. He articulated his opposition to the prevalent customs of child marriage, the seclusion of women, and the systemic marginalization of women within both religious and societal contexts. In his teachings, Guru Nanak Dev Ji asserted that both men and women possess equal standing in the eyes of God, with their value being contingent not upon gender, but rather upon their deeds, character, and devotion. 

In his hymn, Guru Nanak Dev Ji highlights the equality of men and women in spiritual matters. He says:

ਮਃ ੧ ॥

ਭੰਡਿ ਜੰਮੀਐ ਭੰਡਿ ਨਿੰਮੀਐ ਭੰਡਿ ਮੰਗਣੁ ਵੀਆਹੁ ॥

ਭੰਡਹੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਦੋਸਤੀ ਭੰਡਹੁ ਚਲੈ ਰਾਹੁ ॥

ਭੰਡੁ ਮੁਆ ਭੰਡੁ ਭਾਲੀਐ ਭੰਡਿ ਹੋਵੈ ਬੰਧਾਨੁ ॥

ਸੋ ਕਿਉ ਮੰਦਾ ਆਖੀਐ ਜਿਤੁ ਜੰਮਹਿ ਰਾਜਾਨ ॥

ਭੰਡਹੁ ਹੀ ਭੰਡੁ ਊਪਜੈ ਭੰਡੈ ਬਾਝੁ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥

ਨਾਨਕ ਭੰਡੈ ਬਾਹਰਾ ਏਕੋ ਸਚਾ ਸੋਇ ॥

ਜਿਤੁ ਮੁਖਿ ਸਦਾ ਸਾਲਾਹੀਐ ਭਾਗਾ ਰਤੀ ਚਾਰਿ ॥

ਨਾਨਕ ਤੇ ਮੁਖ ਊਜਲੇ ਤਿਤੁ ਸਚੈ ਦਰਬਾਰਿ ॥੨॥

In translation, it conveys:

“From woman, man is born; within woman, man is conceived; to woman he is engaged and married. Woman becomes his friend; through woman, future generations come. When the woman dies, the family dies with her. Why call her bad? From her, kings are born.”

This verse presents a direct challenge to the entrenched societal belief in the inferiority of women in relation to men. It posits that women serve not merely as the origin of life but are also essential to the ongoing vitality and flourishing of society. The teachings of Guru Nanak assert that an individual’s worth, irrespective of gender, is rooted in their spiritual relationship with the divine, rather than in their external roles or societal functions.

Conclusion 

The teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji presented a compelling vision for gender equality that holds significant relevance in the contemporary globalized context. In the context of globalization, which presents both opportunities and challenges, particularly with regard to the escalation of gender disparities, the teachings of Guru Nanak underscore the fundamental equality inherent in all individuals. His teachings question the entrenched patriarchal structures that have historically confined women to subordinate positions, advocating for a societal framework in which value is assessed based on character, actions, and commitment, rather than gender. Through an examination of the egalitarian principles articulated in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, contemporary society may discover a foundational framework for addressing gender inequities with compassion, justice, and respect. The vision articulated by Guru Nanak emphasizes the importance of unity and respect among all individuals, advocating for the equal recognition of women’s roles. This perspective calls for a re-examination of societal structures to promote inclusivity and respect across all genders. In acknowledging these teachings, one is reminded of the imperative for ongoing endeavors aimed at achieving equality and the deconstruction of discriminatory practices, thereby facilitating a future in which individuals of all genders may flourish across all domains of existence. 

About the authors:

• Prof. (Dr.) Bawa Singh, Department of South and Central Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Central University of  Punjab.
•  Dr. Jaspal Kaur, Department of Sociology, School of Social Science and Humanities, Lovely Professional University                     Phagwara (Punjab)-India.