Steps to improve gender parity in India

Source: The post steps to improve gender parity in India has been created, based on the article “India can unlock growth by boosting nari shakti” published in “Indian express” on 9th May 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 1-society-Women Empowerment

Context: The article discusses how empowering women economically is crucial for India’s development by 2047. It suggests policies to increase women’s employment, enhance their skills, make cities safer, provide clean cooking fuels, and promote urban care services to improve gender parity. Steps to improve gender parity in India

For details information on Women Empowerment read this article here

What policies can a new government adopt to improve gender parity in India?

Increase Women’s Labor Force Participation (LFP): Only 25% of Indian women participate in the workforce, compared to 70% in China and 55% in Bangladesh. Raising the current 25% LFP to 50% by providing job opportunities in labor-intensive sectors like garments and footwear through the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme will help drive India’s GDP growth to 8% by 2030.

Expand Women’s Skilling Programs: Only 7% of Industrial Training Institute (ITI) enrollees are women. Offer more scholarships, establish women-focused training centers, and provide career counseling to improve job outcomes.

Improve Urban Infrastructure: Ensure safe, reliable public transport and accessible care services, freeing women from domestic duties and enabling employment.

Promote Clean Cooking Technologies: Provide rebates for adopting cleaner cooking fuels and equipment to reduce the 20-hour weekly burden of cooking with polluting fuels.

Offer Financial Incentives: Introduce credit access, stipends, and installment fee payments to incentivize women’s participation in training programs.

Leverage Mentorship Networks: Utilize alumni networks and role models to guide women through training and job placement processes.

For details information on The Alliance for Global Good – Gender Equity and Equality read this article here

Question for practice:

Discuss how empowering women economically is crucial for India’s development by 2047.