India’s gender empowerment enigma

Context: The International Women’s Day was celebrated. But, the focus on gender inequality has not been adequate in the country.

What are the steps taken to tackle gender inequality?

The government has made reforms which mandated longer maternity leave for women, the provision of better child care facilities in workplaces, the subsidized cooking gas distribution scheme, and the legislation to ban triple talaq among Muslim women of Indian Society.

Status of Indian Women

India slipped 28-rank in the World Economic Forum’s latest Global Gender Gap.

A sharp decline in female labour force participation rate (FLFPR) and there is growing female unemployment.

Reasons for poor performance of India in the global ranking?

India’s score fell sharply on account of the “political empowerment” dimension. The study only takes into account the representation of women in Parliament, not women’s participation at the level of local self-government, in which India performs very well.

India also stands at rank 114 in terms of educational attainment and in health and survival it stands at 155.

India ranks among the worst performers in terms of economic participation and access to opportunity. It means women have a low chance of finding jobs.

What are the ultimate causes behind poor status of Women in Indian Society

Patriarchal Society: It is validated by the troubling resistance to criminalising marital rape.

Disempowerment of women across Indian society. Indian society thinks that men have priority in terms of access to job opportunities and are viewed as principal bread-earners. It adds burdens of housework and childcare on working women and discrimination and/or harassment in the workplace.

The performance of Indian economy: It has shrunk steadily since 2017. It took unemployment rates to new highs. It was impacted by demonetisation and the goods and services tax reform measures. It was worsened by Covid-19. It slowed down the economy, and narrowed the scope for women to participate in the economy. It can continue longer if the Russia-Ukraine war is prolonged and fourth wave of the virus lashes the country.

Way Ahead

An expanding economy automatically enlarges the job market and eventually creates conditions in labour markets that compel businesses to overcome their gender prejudices and hire women.

Government Policies: The gender-focused government policies can serve to complement the expanding economy process.

Source: This post is based on an article “The India’s gender empowerment enigma” published in Business Standard on 09^th march 2022.