– MEHAK 5th year student lovely profes

Introduction: Exposing a Basic Inequality

Women athletes in India have made big contributions to sports and continue to break old ideas and improve the nation’s standing around the world. But, despite their great work, they still have to deal with unequal pay. This issue is not just in one sport; it is a general problem that is deeply set in India’s sports system.

The Issue of Achievement and Unequal Pay

Indian women athletes often do very well in world-class events, but they still get less money than men. This includes pay from matches, contracts, or prizes. The reason for this difference is not because they perform worse, but because of old ideas about market value, how many people watch them, and business possibilities. It is often assumed that women’s sports do not make money. This idea becomes true because of not enough investment, little media attention, and less support from sponsors. The pay difference is not because women are less talented but because they have been ignored for a long time.

Cricket as an Example: Improvement with Limits

Cricket shows how bad the discrimination is and how change is possible. For a long time,

women cricketers in India made much less money from matches than men players. Even though players like Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur made the sport more popular, their pay did not increase as much.In 2022, the BCCI made a big decision to pay men and women the same amount for matches. This shows that equal pay is possible. But, there are still differences in yearly contracts, which means that there is still a way to go before achieving complete equality.

The improvements in cricket have not happened in all sports.

In soccer, the pay difference is very big. Women make much less than men, even though they are just as dedicated.

In hockey, women still get less financial reward, even after good international performances.

In sports such as badminton, track and field, wrestling, and boxing, men athletes get more prize money, sponsorship, and support from institutionsThese differences are not because women

are less skilled, but because of built-in biases and not enough business interest.

Legal and Constitutional Aspects of Pay Discrimination

India’s Constitution provides a good base for equal rights for men and women.

• Article 14 ensures that everyone is treated equally under the law.
• Article 15 stops discrimination based on gender.
• Article 39(d) tells the government to make sure there is equal pay for equal work.

Also, the Code on Wages, 2019, includes the Equal Remuneration Act and orders equal pay. But, sports organizations often avoid being responsible because many work on their own. This unclear control makes it harder to stop discrimination, so it continues.

The Larger Result: Social, Psychological, and Economic Outcomes Pay discrimination causes more than just financial loss.

It makes young girls not want to play sports as a career, increases the number of girls who quit sports early, and supports bad ideas that underestimate women’s accomplishments. Unequal pay also limits chances to get good training, food, treatment, and international experience, which are all important for doing well.The imbalance stops the growth of a strong and inclusive sports culture nationwide. India does not do as well in global competitions when half the population is not able to participate fully.

Ways to Achieve Reform and Equality

To get equal pay, efforts are needed on many levels.

A strong legal system that makes sure men and women get paid the same in sports is needed. Sports organizations must create open policies, have leaders of both genders, and perform regular fairness checks. Media companies should promise to give women’s sports fair coverage, and sponsors need to see the business value of women athletes. Programs that support young girls in sports can help create a fairer future. This kind of complete change not only helps fairness but also makes India better at international sports by allowing women athletes to reach their full ability.

Conclusion: Envisioning a Fair Sports Future

Pay discrimination against women in Indian sports is not fair from a legal and social point of

view. Some progress has been made, especially in cricket, but big gaps remain in other sports. True equality can only happen when pay shows how dedicated, talented, and proud women athletes are.Making sure there is fair pay is not just about fixing past mistakes. It is about creating a future where every athlete is treated with equal respect, recognition, and

opportunity, no matter their gender. A country that honors its champions must also pay them equally.