Table of Contents
THE CONTEXT: The low representation of women in India’s newly formed cabinet, with only two out of 30 female ministers, is a stark reminder of the country’s persistent gender gap. The Global Gender Gap Report 2024 by the World Economic Forum highlights India’s dismal ranking of 129 out of 146 countries, faring worse than its South Asian neighbors like Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan.
THE ISSUES:
- Low Representation of Women in Indian Cabinet: Only two of the 30 Union ministers in the newly formed Indian cabinet are women. Overall, the number of ministers in the central council has reduced from 10 in the previous government to seven, highlighting the low representation of women in top political positions.
- India’s Poor Ranking in Global Gender Gap Index: According to the Global Gender Gap Report 2024 released by the World Economic Forum, India ranked 129th out of 146 countries, the third lowest among South Asian economies. India fared worse than Bangladesh (99th), Nepal (117th), Sri Lanka (122nd), and Bhutan (124th).
- Largest Gender Gap in Economic Participation and Opportunity: India ranked 142nd out of 146 countries in the Economic Participation and Opportunity subindex, indicating one of the most significant gender gaps in this category. India’s economic parity peaked at 46% in 2012, and it needs a 6.2 percentage point improvement from the latest score to reach that level again.
- Stagnant Progress in Educational Attainment: India ranked 112th in the Educational Attainment subindex, with a 17.2 percentage point gap between men’s and women’s literacy rates. While women’s enrollment in primary, secondary, and tertiary education is high, the increase has been modest, contributing to the lower parity status.
- Low Political Empowerment of Women: Despite ranking 65th in the Political Empowerment subindex, India’s scores for women’s representation at the federal level, in ministerial positions (6.9%), and in parliament (17.2%), remain relatively low. Only Nepal (23.5%) comes close to the global average for women in ministerial positions in South Asia.
- Slow Progress in Closing Gender Gap in South Asia: Among the eight regions studied, Southern Asia ranked seventh with a gender parity score of 63.7%, an improvement of 3.9 percentage points since 2006. Six out of seven economies in the region rank below the top 100, and at the current rate, the region will take seven generations to attain gender parity.
THE WAY FORWARD:
- Implement Gender-Responsive Budgeting and Policies: The Justice Verma Committee (2013) recommended introducing provisions related to marital rape in the Indian Penal Code to address gender-based violence. The UNDP’s Global Initiative on Gender Equality in Public Administration (GEPA) suggests adopting gender-responsive budgeting and policies to promote women’s empowerment and participation in decision-making.
- Promote Gender-Sensitive Education and Skills Development: The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report (2023) emphasizes the need for gender-sensitive curricula and policies in schools and colleges to challenge stereotypes and ensure equal access to quality education for girls. UNICEF’s case studies showcase successful approaches to integrating age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education, promoting STEM subjects for girls, and revising curricula to eliminate gender bias.
- Encourage Women’s Economic Participation and Leadership: The International Labour Organization (ILO) recommends enforcing equal pay for equal work policies, promoting gender diversity in leadership positions, and implementing workplace policies that support work-life balance. Gender-Responsive Due Diligence (GRDD) initiative demonstrates how companies like Kering, Mondelēz, and Mars Inc. have embedded women’s economic resilience and gender equality into their policies and practices, leading to increased productivity and sustainable business practices.
- Strengthen Legal Frameworks and Institutional Accountability: The National Commission for Women and the Ministry of Women and Child Development in India should advocate for comprehensive legal reforms to address gender-based violence, child marriage, and workplace discrimination. The UN’s “What Works in Gender and Health” highlights the importance of enabling legal, policy, and regulatory environments that promote women’s and girls’ rights. UNICEF’s Gender Action Plan (2022-2025) emphasizes institutional accountability and partnerships to advance gender equality.
- Promote Women’s Political Empowerment and Representation: The Women’s Reservation Bill, which proposes to reserve 33% of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies for women, should be prioritized. The World Economic Forum’s report recommends leveraging the upcoming national elections 2024 to increase women’s political representation.
THE CONCLUSION:
While some regions like Europe and Latin America have made strides in bridging the gender divide, India’s struggle to achieve gender parity remains a formidable challenge. The report underscores the urgent need for a renewed commitment to empowering women, particularly in the economic and political spheres. Decisive action is imperative to accelerate progress and ensure a more equitable future for all genders.
UPSC PAST YEAR QUESTIONS:
Q.1 Which steps are required for the constitutionalization of a Commission? Would imparting constitutionality to the National Commission for Women ensure greater gender justice and empowerment in India? Give reasons. 2019
Q.2 Can the National Commission for Women strategize and tackle the problems women face in both public and private spheres? Give reasons in support of your answer. 2017
Q.3 Though women in post-independent India have excelled in various fields, the social attitude towards women and the feminist movement has been patriarchial.” Apart from women’s education and women empowerment schemes, what interventions can help change this milieu? 2021
Q.4 Discuss the contribution of civil society groups to women’s practical and meaningful participation and representation in state legislatures in India. 2023
Q.5 Discuss the desirability of more excellent representation of women in the higher judiciary to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusiveness. 2021
MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION:
Q.1 Examine the impact of women’s low political representation in India, both at the federal and state levels. Suggest measures to enhance women’s participation in decision-making processes.
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