India’s Progress in Advancing Gender Equality

Source: The post India’s Progress in Advancing Gender Equality has been created, based on the article “Beyond ‘Beijing’, unlocking a feminist future in India” published in “The Hindu” on 7th March 2025. India’s Progress in Advancing Gender Equality 

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-Governance-mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

Context: The article highlights India’s progress on gender equality since the 1995 Beijing Declaration. It covers health, education, economic empowerment, and safety for women, emphasizing policies, grassroots efforts, and leadership. Challenges like violence persist, but advancements inspire continued efforts.

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

How has India progressed in women’s health and education since the Beijing Declaration?

1. Maternal mortality reduced from 130 to 97 per 1,00,000 births between 2014 and 2020, supported by schemes like Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana.
2. Institutional deliveries reached 95% and 56.5% of married women use modern contraceptives.
3. Ayushman Bharat provided free healthcare to millions of women.
4. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao improved the child sex ratio and girls’ school enrollments.
5. National Education Policy 2020 boosted STEM education for girls.
6. Better sanitation reduced menstruation-related school absences.

How has India advanced women’s economic empowerment?

1. Financial Networks: Nearly 100 million women connected to financial systems through self-help groups under the National Rural and Urban Livelihood Missions.
2. Digital Payments: Unified Payments Interface (UPI) simplified transactions, boosting women’s financial independence.
3. Digital Literacy: Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan trained over 35 million rural women.
4. Gender Budgeting: Share increased from 6.8% in 2024-25 to 8.8% in 2025-26, with $55.2 billion allocated for gender-specific programs.
5. Entrepreneurship: Financial literacy and credit access empowered women under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihood Mission.

What challenges persist regarding gender-based violence in India?

1. Ongoing Prevalence of Violence: Gender-based violence is still a significant issue despite global and national efforts to eliminate it.
2. Implementation Challenges: The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 strengthens legal protections, but effective implementation remains a challenge.
3. Insufficient Support Systems: The 770 One Stop Centres offer essential support, but their reach is limited considering the scale of the problem.
4. Coordination Issues: The blockchain-based system in Odisha ensures swift and confidential support, yet similar coordinated efforts are limited nationwide.
5. Trust in Policing: Efforts to improve gender-responsive policing through partnerships, like with the Rajasthan Police Academy, face challenges in building consistent trust with survivors.

How is women’s leadership shaping India’s future?

1. The Women’s Reservation Bill ensures 33% legislative seats for women, empowering about 1.5 million women leaders — the world’s largest group of women political leaders.
2. Initiatives like Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI) support women in STEM fields.
3. The G20 TechEquity platform has trained thousands of young women in emerging technologies.
4. Their leadership strengthens India’s progress in gender equality, social development, and inclusive growth.

What is India’s approach to achieving gender equality?

1. India’s approach to gender equality includes strong government leadership, international partnerships, and comprehensive policies.
2. The focus is on women-led development, financial inclusion, and social transformation.
3. The Beijing Platform for Action continues to guide India’s efforts toward inclusive and sustainable growth, with a commitment to addressing systemic barriers and empowering young women leaders.

Question for practice:

Evaluate how effective India’s policies and initiatives have been in advancing gender equality since the 1995 Beijing Declaration.