The focus of this research was specifically to examine religious challenges faced by Indian women in the workplace focusing on the community of Howick in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The aim was to determine what kinds of religious challenges Indian women face in the workplace and why such challenges arise.
RESEARCH BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION
- Introduction
- Background and outline of research problem
- Research problems and objectives: Key questions
- Research problems and objectives: Broader issues to be investigated
- Research design (principal theories upon which the research project was constructed)
- Research methodology and methods
- Conceptualisation of variables
- Structure of dissertation
The study attempted to address the following key research objective: to gain knowledge about the issues and challenges faced by Indian women in the workplace. But a workplace is considered by many as a second home, as people spend most of their day at the workplace.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
- Indian women, religion, work and leadership
- Discrimination and religious holidays
- Gender bias, stereotyping, domestic labour and public labour for Indian women
- Stereotyping among Indian women
- The connection between domestic violence and workplace violence against religious women
- Diversity and religious identity in the workplace
- Unfair discrimination in the workplace
- Social identities among Indian women in the workplace
- Hinduism among Indian women
- Christianity and Islam among Indian women
- Conclusion
The (World Economic Forum,2013) has developed solutions to the many problems faced by Indian women in the workplace. According to some scriptures, women are subhuman, which is why society often ignores the rights of many women, and this is also experienced in the workplace.
METHODOLOGY
- Introduction
- Research methods
- Data collection tools
- Sampling
- Participants and sample
- Sample size and composition
- Methods triangulation
- Ethical statement
- Conclusion
The main determinants for this study were socio-economic, health, unemployment and racism (Pandey, 2015) and the questionnaire was structured to explore these factors. The questionnaire aimed to explore key issues such as sexual and mental harassment, promotion issues, family care issues and gender discrimination and bias in the workplace, safety and security. The questions were based on relevant literature and a survey of the area. Each potential participant was approached individually regarding the study and invited to participate. In this study, there were participants from each religious group, making a total of 25 participants; this included women in administrative positions with principals and directors. These women provided information about policy and implementation. The primary data collected from these women were all provided voluntarily. All answers were found to be complete and valid. The data collection period covered one month from August 2016 to September 2016. Irregularities such as mood swings, abuse, etc. in a person's life may cause him or her to answer the questionnaire untruthfully. Babbie,2013) argued that there are a number of trends and norms that have developed over the course of a culture. For example, traffic law in the United States means that people drive on the right side of the street instead of the left. According to (Cohen,2006), “racial discourses raise important questions about the control and production of knowledge, especially knowledge about people and communities of color in the workplace.” Creswell, 2003) asserted that critical theoretical perspectives are concerned with empowering people and transcending the limitations imposed on them by race, class, and gender. Census sampling method “deals with the survey of the entire population.” The details collected for each unit of the universe. This method provides more accurate and precise information because no unit is omitted.” For a research topic of this nature, it will be very difficult to collect a census sample as such. Pragmatism is “not tied to a single system of philosophy and reality.” This applies to mixed methods research in that researchers make qualitative assumptions as they engage in their research. Individual researchers have freedom of choice. They are “free” to choose the methods, techniques and procedures of research that best suit their needs and purposes.” Pragmatists “do not see the world as an absolute unity.” In a similar way, mixed methods researchers look at many approaches, at collecting and analyzing data, rather than subscribing to just one quantitative or qualitative way. The truth is what works at that moment; it is not based on a strict dualism between the mind and a reality completely independent of the mind.” Thus, in mixed methods research, researchers use both quantitative and qualitative data because they help provide the best insight into a research problem. Lantham, 2007) Pragmatic researchers look at the 'what' and the 'how' of research based on the intended consequences, and where they want to go. Mixed methods researchers must establish a purpose for the theory and a rationale for why quantitative and qualitative data “mix.” must be mixed in the first place.” Creswell,2003) Pragmatists agree that “research always takes place in social, historical, political and other contexts”. In this way, mixed methods studies can take a postmodern turn, a theoretical lens that reflects social justice and political objectives. Pragmatists believe that we should stop asking questions about reality and the laws of nature. They just want to change the subject. Therefore for the mixed methods researcher. pragmatism opens doors to multiple methods”, assumptions, but also to “different forms of data collection and analysis in mixed methods research”. Experiments include real experiments involving the random assignment of subjects to treatment conditions, as well as quasi-experiments using nonrandomized designs, which are part of quasi-experiments that are single-subject designs.” Lantham, 2007) “Surveys include cross-sectional and longitudinal studies that use questions or structured interviews to collect data with the intention of generalizing from a sample to a population.” Ethnographies are “in which the researcher studies an intact cultural group in a natural environment over an extended period of time by collecting primarily observational data.” The research process is flexible and typically evolves contextually in response to the lived realities encountered in practice. Grounded theory in which the “researcher attempts to derive a general,” “abstract theory of a process, action, or interaction based on the views of research participants.” This process involves the use of multiple stages of data collection and refinement and interrelationship of information categories. Case studies “in which the researcher examines an in-depth study followed by a program, an event, an activity, a process, or one or more individuals.” The cases are bounded by time and activity, and researchers collect detailed information using a variety of data collection procedures over an extended period of time. Phenomenological research “is in which the researcher identifies the 'essence' of human experiences related to a phenomenon as described by participants in a study.” Understanding lived experience characterizes phenomenology as a philosophy and as a method, and the procedure involves studying a small number of topics through extensive and sustained engagement to develop patterns and relationships of meaning.” In this process, the researcher brackets his or her own experiences to understand those of the research participants.” Narrative research is a form of research in which the researcher studies the lives of individuals. and asks one or more individuals to tell stories about their lives; this information is then retold or studied by the researcher in a narrative chronology.” Ultimately, the story combines insights from the participant's life with those from the researcher's life in a collaborative story.” Sequential procedures, meaning that “the researcher attempts to elaborate or extend the findings of one method with another method.” This may involve starting with a qualitative method for exploratory purposes and then starting with a quantitative method with a large sample so that the study can generalize its results to a population. Alternatively, the research may begin with a “quantitative method in which their concepts or constructs are tested, followed by a qualitative method that includes detailed exploration with single cases of individuals.” Pandey, 2015) Concurrent procedures are in which “the researcher converges quantitative and qualitative data to provide a comprehensive analysis of the research problem”. In this design, the researcher collects both forms of data simultaneously during the study and then integrates this information into the interpretation of the overall results.” Furthermore, the researcher's design nests one form of data within another, larger data collection procedure to analyze different questions or levels of units in an organization. Transformative procedures “are those in which the researcher uses a theoretical lens as an overarching perspective within a design that includes both quantitative and qualitative data.” Hunter,2006) This lens provides a framework for topics of interest, data collection methods, and the outcomes or changes expected by the research. Within this lens, it could be a data collection method that implies a sequential or simultaneous approach. Pandey, 2015), so that the argument continues as to which research method would be more appropriate, this would still remain within the purview of the researcher.
RESEARCH RESULTS
Introduction
Quantitative results
Qualitative results
- Theme 1 - Social and cultural stereotypes- within your religion including work and leadership
- Theme 2 - Psychological factors and discrimination in the workplace. (PDW)
- Theme 3 - Abuse and religious identity in the workplace. (ARIDW)
- Theme 4 – Religious and Gender bias, stereotyping on the grounds of religions in the workplace
- Theme 6 – Economic empowerment
Theme Codes and selected responses by theme
Conclusion
DISCUSSION
Introduction
Indian females during Post-Apartheid in the workplace
Educating Indian females in the workplace
Religious practices from then till today
Feminist Critical Theory
The power struggle and practices
Protecting Indian females
Facing a world of challenges
Conclusion
CONCLUSION
Introduction
Indian women in South Africa have remained underrepresented and are likely to remain so due to the many stereotypes that Indians have in any of the Indian religions we have looked at in the study. The older people in the household like the grandparents and so on keep up with many religious practices which drown out many of the western ideas.
The rules of Indian religions, looking beyond and moving forward
The government should allow facilities and team building whereby all women are allowed to participate in all activities regardless of the role they play or perform in the organization. Flexibility in the workplace would be helpful in terms of time for women, reasonable lunch breaks and reasonable work shifts.
Destroying stereotyping
Mhango, 2011) had some recommended solutions, but it is also recommended that management in every organization should be aware of what is happening around them and not "ignore" or "delete" it. The community also plays an important role in the implementation of these laws, in the community of Howick they came together and formed a "community crime watch" where every citizen of the community looks out for each other and keeps themselves safe from crime (home invasions, rapes). and looting) regardless of your race or religion. Religious leaders, educators, political leaders should take responsibility to shape people's lives and attitude towards social transformation by hosting these informal functions for women education. The South African government has taken a number of huge steps to improve the criminal justice system against women in general. Many campaigns are underway to help women in the current situation. A number of decisions have been taken to make stronger laws for women facing sexual abuse and violence against women and girls. The women responded that they were treated differently by co-workers and management if they reported a case of abuse. cases of rape and any other form of sexual abuse, rape at home and in the workplace. Feminist theory helps preserve the voices of all women regardless of their religion. In the workplace, we often meet some owners of the organization who say that "the company belongs to me", that I can do what I want, I can report these actions to higher authorities. CEDWA, 2000) Many agree that the world community must work together to achieve goals in the fight against discrimination and unequal favoring of the sexes. Researchers believe that gender inequality has a solution and that it is very possible. There are many practical ways in which we can reduce gender inequalities. If women don't take the lead, the political will will make the world they live in fall apart. Gender inequalities are deeply rooted in entrenched attitudes, social institutions and market forces that exist at national and international levels. Researchers believe that over the past three decades, women have had a tremendous impact on improving each other, especially in health and education, and it is clear that lower morale levels, higher life expectancy and many reduced gender gaps are within the educational gaps that have been closed. also. CEDWA, 2000) Despite all these gains, it is still evident that many countries are still missing these goals and women are still oppressed. Achieving these goals also requires the participation of men in helping. These goals are also achieved through equal opportunities and distribution of power between men and women. True equality means more than just getting the numbers right. It means justice, more opportunities and a better quality of life, so that equality is achieved at all levels of human life. According to the author, there are some important goals that should be achieved and that other countries should also try to achieve in order to show mutual support, strengthen opportunities for post-school education for girls while fulfilling commitments on universal primary education. Ensuring sexual and reproductive health and rights, this includes free sexuality education and Pap tests and mammograms for all women in the organization. Invest in infrastructure to reduce the time burden on women and girls in the workplace. Give women property and inheritance rights that have been robbed of them for years. Eliminate gender inequality in employment by reducing women's reliance on informal employment, closing the gender earnings gap and reducing occupational segregation. Increase the proportion of women in seats in national parliaments, local government bodies and general management of organizations. Fighting violence against girls and women at home and at work. Women's education is a prerequisite for women's empowerment and ensures this employment. CEDWA, 2000) Basic capabilities which are human capabilities and there are dimensions that cover education, health and nutrition. These capabilities are fundamental to the individual's well-being and are the means by which the individual acquires other forms of well-being. The area of access to resources and opportunities is that with which women with these capabilities can extend their prosperity to their families, communities and societies through economic assets such as land, property and infrastructure. The field of security, which refers to the protection of women from violence and conflict, is not only physical, but also psychological wounds that sometimes cannot heal. These three areas are critical and if not achieved will result in the gaps we face in society. For women to be fully empowered, they should be able to use their rights, capabilities, resources and opportunities more freely. You should be able to make decisions and choices more effectively. As part of the discussion with the results, many women fight against these stereotypes. CEDWA, 2000) states that because of the historical history of women, they are considered disadvantaged and are still called a vulnerable race. Focusing on poor women is justified for several reasons, as investments in the education of these women will benefit the country in the future. Gender inequality tends to be greater among the poor than among the rich, especially with options. Poorer women face much greater problems than rich women. A higher level of education plays an important role in health. She is able to protect her body from illness and can afford the medical care she needs. Education is also strongly related to women's age at marriage. Girls with less than seven years of schooling are more likely to be married by age 18 than girls with a higher level of education. In many countries, particularly in South Africa, HIV infection rates are rising most rapidly among teenage girls and women. HIV education can be a vital link in preventing HIV infection. People in organizations of any faith should take all precautions to avoid contracting the disease. It was found that women at the illiteracy level did not care if it was important to have multiple sexual partners. Zukang, 2010) argues that investment in women is crucial. We must invest in education, health, social status and employment opportunities for women. It is very important in organizations to look at women in crisis and provide them with adequate funding. Zukang, 2010) says that "there is a big difference between human rights and women's rights". He also emphasized that by helping women, we are reducing the level of poverty and hunger throughout South Africa. One author argues that organizations should start meal schemes for their staff as part of their work benefits; in this case it would not be a forced question, but an option. Ki-Moon, 2010) stated that organizations should start setting smaller achievable goals within themselves and then be able to track women's progress from there. He expressed the view that the lack of attention to achieving gender equality and strengthening the role of women, including material health, can put peace, security and sustainable development in order. It also argues that women's rights should be linked to human rights and that they should be equal and treated with equal importance. He added that women have a habit of undermining and talking bad about each other, which they have picked up in many organizations over the years, and he believes that this matter should be addressed directly by a supervisor or manager, as such behavior rubs off on others. She states that we must pay particular attention to the harsh reality of places and relationships where, for cultural and even religious reasons, women experience many forms of discrimination, oppression and violence, and we as a society and a free country like South Africa cannot and will not tolerate this behavior. We must condemn this behavior without hesitation. We must respect the fervent solidarity because women protect women from slavery, and we must always say loud and clear that human rights are universal. No philosophical, political, religious or other reason can justify violating these fundamental ideas, and this is the kind of globalization we should appreciate. The author insists that we as a nation must take action against these crimes and stand up for each other in the workplace. Power is not only exercised in one way, but throughout history different styles of leadership have shared the stamp of masculinity. Zukang, 2010) Dominant notions of authority, decision making and leadership qualities are all limited and defined by men. Women's leadership must be absolutely inclusive and take a humanistic stance in society. Bachelet, 2010) states that women in leadership positions in organizations must be real leaders, where they must learn to mentor, they must learn how to take broken women under their wing instead of causing more physical and psychological trauma.
Empowerment for Indian females
The author states that by "achieving" gender equality necessitates a transformation of the power dynamic between boys and girls", this has been a major part of the religion in terms of the underrepresentation of women that we are still trying to get rid of today. For example, one of the first cases decided by the newly created court involving religious freedom was State VS Lawrence.
Conclusion
Title of study: Religious challenges facing Indian women in the workplace: a focus on the community of Howick in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. This letter serves to confirm that I have edited an almost final version (19 November 2016) of Daksha Mothilal's Master's Thesis, Religious challenges confronted by Indian women in the workplace: A focus on the community of Howick in KwaZulu, grammar and language check. - Natal, South Africa.