Answer:

Introduction

“Patriarchal order” refers to social systems where men hold primary power, exercising authority over women and children in different domains. Example- Sarpanch pati system.

“Hypermasculinity” describes excessive emphasis on stereotypical masculine traits such as aggression and sexual dominance. Example- Domestic violence.

“Toxic masculinity” represents harmful male behaviours and attitudes, often linked to dominance, devaluation of women, and suppression of emotions. Example- Sexual violence against women.

Body

Dismantling the patriarchal order will boost women empowerment in the following ways

• Education Equality: We must notice that only 14% of STEM graduates are women. Disrupting patriarchal norms would prioritize equal education for all genders. For example, Kerala, with nearly equal male-female literacy rates, has successfully empowered women.
• Economic Independence: Dismantling patriarchal structures can boost female economic independence. A study by McKinsey showed that India could add $770 billion to its GDP by 2025 by advancing women’s equality in its workforce.
  
• Legal empowerment: Many laws propagate patriarchal norms, like unequal inheritance laws. Dismantling them could lead to legal changes promoting women’s rights, like the Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005, which provides daughters with equal rights to family property.
• Breaking Down Stereotypes: They’re promoted by patriarchal order confining women to certain roles. Dismantling it would break these stereotypes, encouraging women in non-traditional roles, like Mary Kom, a successful female boxer in a traditionally male-dominated sport.
• Enhanced Decision-making Role: Indian women have limited say in familial and social decisions. Dismantling patriarchy would boost women’s role in decision-making, exemplified by ‘Mahila Panchayats’ in Delhi, where women mediate local disputes.

Dismantling the patriarchal order will mitigate hypermasculinity and toxic masculinity in India in the following ways

• Improved Emotional Health: As challenging patriarchal norms will help reduce the emotional suppression, a hallmark of hypermasculinity. Campaigns like “Mardon Wali Baat” are working towards this, enabling Indian men to embrace their emotions without feeling emasculated.
• Career Freedom: In a patriarchal society, men are forced into ‘masculine’ roles, reinforcing hypermasculinity. Breaking down these norms allows men to explore traditionally ‘feminine’ roles like nurse, house work etc without fear of stigma.
• Promoting Consent: Patriarchy often neglects the concept of consent, encouraging toxic masculine entitlement. By dismantling this, we can better educate boys on the importance of consent. The ‘Teach Boys Consent’ initiative in India works towards this goal.
• Parenting and Care: Dismantling patriarchal norms encourages men to participate in child care, traditionally seen as feminine work. The portrayal of Aamir Khan as a doting father in ‘Dangal’ and ‘Taare Zameen Par’ illustrates this, shifting the narrative around fatherhood.
• Fostering Body Positivity: Patriarchy often pressurises men to maintain a ‘macho’ physique, a form of hypermasculinity. Actor Ayushmann Khurrana, in ‘Shubh Mangal Saavdhan’, plays a character with erectile dysfunction, challenging the hypermasculine ideal of sexual prowess.

Innovative approaches for achieving this socio-cultural transformation

• Gender-Neutral Education: This approach, adopted in schools in Sweden, can be replicated in India, as demonstrated by the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences. This institution promotes gender equality through its educational programs.
• Workplace Policies: Companies can contribute significantly by implementing robust policies promoting gender equality. Tata Steel and Godrej exemplify this with policies aimed at reducing gender bias which can be replicated across other sectors.
• Women in Leadership: Encouraging female leadership across all sectors serves as an inspirational model for younger generations. Leaders like Nirmala Sitharaman, India’s first full-time female finance minister, exemplify this approach.
• Technology for Equality: Technology can empower women, giving them platforms to voice their concerns and receive support. ‘Safe city’, an Indian platform, exemplifies this approach, enabling women to share experiences of sexual harassment and abuse.
  
• Engaging Religious and Cultural Leaders: It can aid in challenging patriarchal norms. The ‘Selfie with Daughter’ campaign in Haryana, where religious leaders have been engaged to promote the value of girls, is a strategy that can be replicated to foster change.

Conclusion

Going ahead, successful implementation of these innovative approaches coupled with societal willingness and governmental support can provide a roadmap towards dismantling patriarchal norms, empowering women, and mitigating harmful masculine norms in India.

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