Gender equality is not just a social imperative — it is a critical driver of economic growth and progress. Despite spectacular economic progress in recent years, India’s journey towards gender equality has been marked by both progress and persistent challenges. The Gender Inequality Index (GII) places India at 122nd out of 191 countries. Similarly, the Global Gender Gap Index (GGGI) ranks India at 135th out of 146 countries.
These highlight the need for considerable work to bridge the gender gap.
The government launched initiatives in the 100 days of Modi 3.0, aimed at addressing the challenges faced by marginalised women in rural areas. The 2024 Budget allocated ₹3 lakh crore to Nari Shakti initiatives, in sectors such as skill development, entrepreneurship and infrastructure.
India has witnessed an increase in female labour force participation in recent years; in 2023, it was 32.7 per cent, compared to 76.8 per cent for men. A large proportion of employed women is concentrated in the informal sector with limited social protection.
Land ownership
Unequal access to land and assets is a significant barrier to women’s economic empowerment in India. Nearly 66 per cent of women lack ownership of any land registered in their name. Given land is often used as collateral for loans, without land ownership women’s ability to access credit and start businesses is severely impacted.
Land ownership has implications beyond economic empowerment. Women with greater control over resources are more likely to invest in their children’s education, which enables and promotes social mobility. It also enhances women’s access to healthcare and nutrition as well as lead to better health outcomes for themselves and their families. Addressing disparity in land ownership is crucial for gender empowerment.
What makes the picture complex is lack of age-appropriate sex education, social norms that restrict access to family planning services and early marriages in rural areas. India has a high rate of adolescent pregnancies, with 16 out of every 1,000 girls aged between 15-19 years giving birth in 2022.
India’s maternal mortality ratio (MMR) of 103 deaths per 100,000 live births is a stark reminder of the need for investments in maternal healthcare infrastructure, particularly in rural areas.
The government has implemented various schemes and policies aimed at improving the lives of women and girls. For example, Stand-Up India and Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) help women start businesses and get financial assistance. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao programme focuses on addressing sex-selective abortions and promoting girls’ education. The government has been able to successfully promote this scheme through District Task Forces and Block Task Forces for greater penetration into the rural areas.
The Mahila Shakti Kendra initiative seeks to empower women through community-based interventions by providing them access to information, resources, and government schemes. Political reservations for women in local body elections represent yet another significant step towards greater female representation in decision-making processes.
Investing in girls’ education and skills development is crucial, as rightly recognised by the government. Transforming deeply ingrained social norms and attitudes through sustained awareness campaigns and gender-sensitive education is essential to foster a society that values and empowers women and girls. Only then can India unlock its full potential and ensure that no one is left behind.
Khorana is Member of WTO Gender Hub, Bhasin is Professor (International Business), Department of Commerce, Delhi School of Economics, and Gopalakrishnan is a Non-Resident Fellow, NITI Aayog, Government of India. Views are personal
