[Answered] India’s economic ambitions need better gender data. Examine how an index on women’s economic empowerment can be a policy tool for promoting inclusive growth and addressing gender disparities.

Introduction

According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2024, India ranks 129/146, with women contributing only 18% to GDP. Robust gender-disaggregated data is critical for bridging disparities and driving inclusive growth.

Need for Gender Data in India’s Growth Ambitions

1. Economic Imperative: Women’s labour force participation rate (LFPR) stands at 41.7%, but only 18% in formal jobs. McKinsey Global Institute (2015) estimated India could add $700 billion to GDP by 2025 through gender parity.
2. Policy Blind Spots: Existing indices (Human Development Index, Ease of Doing Business, NITI Aayog’s SDG Index) often lack gender disaggregation. Without granular gender data, systemic inequalities remain invisible, perpetuating exclusion.

The Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Index: A Policy Tool

1. Design and Dimensions: Piloted in Uttar Pradesh, the WEE Index tracks five levers: employment, education/skilling, entrepreneurship, livelihood/mobility, and safety/inclusive infrastructure. Moves beyond surface participation rates to identify structural drop-offs (e.g., skilling → entrepreneurship → credit).
2. Catalytic Example: Data in UP’s transport sector revealed negligible women bus drivers and conductors. This led to redesigned recruitment and gender-sensitive infrastructure (e.g., restrooms in bus stations). Demonstrates how visibility triggers reform.
3. Systemic Insights: Despite women forming >50% of skilling programme enrolments, their entrepreneurship and credit access remain disproportionately low. Identifies finance and mobility barriers, enabling targeted interventions.

Broader Policy Applications of Gender Indices

1. Mainstreaming Gender in Governance: Embedding gender data into departmental MIS (transport, MSMEs, housing, etc.) ensures every rupee is tracked for its impact on women. Facilitates evidence-based policymaking rather than assumption-driven schemes.
2. Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB): India introduced GRB in 2005–06, but it remains siloed. A WEE Index can link budget allocations to measurable gender outcomes, making expenditure more accountable.
3. Replication Potential Across States: States like Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh with trillion-dollar growth goals can adapt the UP model. District-wise gender scorecards can feed into State Action Plans for Women’s Economic Empowerment.
4. Global Parallels: Gender Equality Index (EU) measures domains like work, money, knowledge, time, and health to guide funding priorities. African Gender Index (UNECA) integrates gender data into economic reforms. India’s WEE Index can mirror these best practices with localised focus.

Challenges and Way Forward

1. Data Gaps: Quality, frequency, and comparability of gender data remain weak.
2. Capacity Constraints: Local governments require training for data collection and use.
3. Intersectionality: Must track caste, region, and age-based disparities within gender.
4. Digital Tools: Use of AI and big data analytics can strengthen predictive insights into female workforce trends.

Conclusion

Expanding women’s capabilities is central to growth; robust indices like the WEE can transform gender equity into India’s economic advantage.