Based on the question in the headline, someone from the audience of the discussion was not buying the need for the topic at all. But let me tell you, though forming the majority or cover of an industry infers visibility, gender disparity is so deep-rooted that there are many layers to it.
Ahead of International Women’s Day, the World University of Design conducted the aforementioned dialogue between some well-established women and two men in the world of Design. The University provides all forms of design at its campus in Sonipat, so the panel had apparel designers, architects, and more.
So, where do women in design really stand? We see most fashion made for women and maximum female models. Even in architecture and other design courses, there are plenty of women. But what is the gender ratio in workplaces? How is life for these ‘women’ there?
“When I took up designing back in 70’s or 80’s, people thought design referred to fashion. And I said, yes as it was applicable for me. But when I was employed initially, most of the employees were men. They came from various stratas. I was the only woman. The most difficult thing was lack of washroom for women. I had to face a lot of difficulty and reach clumsy and dirty places,” shared Lolita Dutta on the occasion.
“I started having Chai with those men to blend in,” she added.
We can’t even imagine being in this situation. All we do is crib about the sanitization or cleanliness of the exclusive restrooms now available almost everywhere.
Likewise, Sandhya Raman – Founder of Desmania Design, had more instances.
Sandhya said, “It is true that the world of design has many women, but there are plenty of men as well. Most of them are behind the scenes. The construct is such that they do have an issue with being headed or directed by women.”
Bringing forth a solution to such issues, Aishwarya Tipnis – Architect, Aishwarya Tipnis Architects said, ”Dealing with such situations starts with one’s own family. The same you ignore or silence your relatives with your worth or know how to speak or approach them for a certain situation, you take the same road but with your colleagues or clients at workplaces.”
What about the hiring ratio? Is it all or more women?
Amit Krishn Gulati, an ex-vice president and member of the National Executive Council of the Association of Designers of India, now has his own ventures and invests in others’ ventures. He says that his workplace has about 30% women.
The percentage is more or less the same across most workplaces in the country.
“When a man works, it is to feed his family. When a woman works, it is called her hobby. This has led to the disparity in pay and hiring,” stated Raman.
Really, it is high time we rise above gender and treat each other as humans. Such discussions might make things vocal and bring it up front, but the change has to come from within.
About The World University of Design
WUD is India’s first and only university dedicated to education in the creative domain. As India is poised for growth in almost all the fields, design is being looked upon as the key aspect in making India competitive. World University of Design (WUD) is responding to this need through its cutting edge, trans-disciplinary programs in the creative domains of Fashion, Design, Communication, Art, Architecture, Media, Management and Humanities.
The University conferred the first-ever Srijan Shakti Awards to 6 Women Designers this year.