Closing the gender gap: India still has a long way to go in its growth narrative
Although there is almost gender balance in panchayati raj institutions, the proportion of women elected to the Lok Sabha is decreasing compared to the number of women candidates.
Introduction
India’s economic ascent has been remarkable, yet the journey toward gender equality remains incomplete. Despite strides in various sectors, systemic barriers continue to impede women’s full participation in the nation’s growth story. This article delves into the multifaceted dimensions of India’s gender gap, examining progress, persistent challenges, and the path forward.
1. Political Representation: Progress at the Grassroots, Stagnation at the Top
India’s political landscape presents a paradox. While women have achieved near parity in panchayati raj institutions, their representation in the Lok Sabha remains limited. As of the 18th Lok Sabha, only 13.6% of members are women, indicating a decline relative to the number of female candidates. This disparity underscores the need for systemic reforms to enhance women’s political participation at higher levels of governance.
2. Economic Participation: Rising Numbers, Lingering Inequities
The female labour force participation rate (LFPR) in India has seen a significant increase, rising from 23.2% in 2017-18 to 41.7% in 2023-24. However, this quantitative growth masks qualitative challenges. Women continue to be underrepresented in leadership roles, holding only 19% of C-suite positions and just over 10% of key managerial personnel roles. Such disparities highlight the persistent glass ceiling in corporate India.
3. Educational Attainment: Enrollment vs. Literacy
India has made commendable progress in female enrollment across primary, secondary, and tertiary education levels. Yet, a significant literacy gap persists, with a 17.2 percentage point difference between male and female literacy rates. This gap has contributed to India’s decline in global gender parity rankings, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions in female education.
4. Unpaid Labour: The Invisible Burden
Women’s contributions to the economy often go unrecognized, particularly in the realm of unpaid domestic work. According to the latest Time Use Survey, women spend an average of 236 minutes per day on unpaid domestic services, compared to just 24 minutes for men. This disproportionate burden limits women’s opportunities for paid employment and personal development.
5. Safety Concerns: A Barrier to Participation
Safety remains a significant concern for women in India. High-profile cases of violence against women have sparked nationwide protests, yet the threat of violence continues to deter many women from participating fully in the workforce. Addressing safety concerns is crucial for enhancing women’s economic participation and overall well-being.
6. Technological Inclusion: The Digital Gender Divide
India leads globally in generative AI adoption, with a notable increase in course enrollments. Interestingly, Indian women have shown a 296% growth in GenAI course enrollments, outpacing the 191% growth rate among men. This trend indicates a growing interest among women in emerging technologies, yet overall participation remains low, highlighting the need for inclusive digital education initiatives.
7. Financial Inclusion: Access to Credit and Entrepreneurship
While initiatives like the Mudra loan scheme aim to empower women entrepreneurs, disparities persist. Women-led enterprises often face challenges in securing adequate credit, and per capita lending to women remains lower than that to men. Enhancing financial inclusion requires targeted policies that address these systemic barriers.
8. Gender-Responsive Budgeting: A Step Forward
India has made strides in gender-responsive budgeting, with allocations increasing to 6.8% in the Union Budget of 2024-25. This approach aims to address gender disparities through targeted fiscal policies, reflecting a growing commitment to gender equality in economic planning.
9. Global Rankings: Room for Improvement
India has improved its position in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index, climbing eight places to rank 127 out of 146 countries. Despite this progress, India has closed only 64.1% of its gender gap, with significant disparities remaining in economic participation and opportunity.
10. Regional Disparities: Uneven Progress
Studies indicate that South Indian cities like Bengaluru and Chennai rank highest in gender inclusion and women’s career opportunities. This regional variation underscores the importance of localized strategies to address gender disparities effectively.
Conclusion
India’s journey toward gender equality is marked by both significant achievements and persistent challenges. While progress has been made in areas like political representation at the grassroots level and gender-responsive budgeting, systemic barriers continue to hinder women’s full participation in the nation’s growth narrative. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach, encompassing policy reforms, societal attitude shifts, and targeted initiatives to empower women across all sectors. Only through concerted efforts can India truly close the gender gap and realize its full potential.
UPSC Mains-style questions based on the topic “Closing the gender gap: India still has a long way to go in its growth narrative”:
Question 1: Despite significant policy initiatives and improvements in female literacy and political participation, gender inequality continues to persist in India. Critically analyze the structural and socio-cultural barriers that hinder women’s full participation in India’s economic and development narrative. (250 words)
Question 2: India’s rank in global gender parity indices has shown some improvement, yet challenges remain across sectors. Discuss the effectiveness of government interventions such as gender budgeting, financial inclusion schemes, and legal reforms in bridging the gender gap. Suggest a holistic roadmap to enhance gender equality in the context of India’s growth story. (250 words)
Source – Business Standard