ESG India Part - 4 : Gender Equality

Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right but also a cornerstone of a just and progressive society. In India, while significant strides have been made toward promoting gender equality, deep-rooted societal norms, economic disparities, and widespread gender-based violence continue to hinder progress. Achieving true gender equality requires systemic changes across social, economic, and political structures, as well as addressing the pervasive issue of gender-based violence that disproportionately affects women and marginalized gender groups.

India has seen progress in areas such as education, legal rights, and representation for women, yet many challenges remain. Addressing these issues holistically is essential for creating a society where everyone—regardless of gender—has equal opportunities and freedoms.

Gender Inequality in India: An Overview

India’s path to gender equality has been complex and uneven. While laws and policies have been enacted to promote gender equity, traditional social structures and gender roles continue to hold back meaningful progress. The Global Gender Gap Report 2023 by the World Economic Forum ranked India 127th out of 146 countries, indicating the persistent challenges in achieving gender parity, particularly in areas such as economic participation, education, and health.

Some key indicators of gender inequality in India include:

• Labor force participation: Women's labor force participation rate remains significantly lower than men’s. According to the World Bank, only around 20% of women were actively participating in the workforce in 2022, one of the lowest rates globally.
• Education: While there has been an increase in girls' enrollment in schools, dropout rates remain high, particularly in rural areas and among marginalized communities. Socioeconomic barriers, early marriages, and traditional gender roles often prevent girls from completing their education.
• Political representation: Although India has seen more women in leadership roles, such as in politics, business, and public service, their representation remains low in decision-making positions. Women currently hold around 14% of seats in India’s Parliament.
• Gender-based violence: Gender-based violence (GBV) remains one of the most pressing issues in India. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reported over 400,000 cases of crimes against women in 2021, including domestic violence, sexual assault, and dowry-related violence. However, these numbers likely underreport the full scope of the problem due to social stigma and underreporting.

Promoting Equal Opportunities: Key Areas of Focus

1. Economic Empowerment and Workforce Participation

One of the most critical areas for achieving gender equality in India is economic empowerment. Women’s participation in the workforce is not only essential for their personal independence but also contributes to overall economic growth. However, several barriers prevent women from entering and remaining in the workforce, including unequal pay, limited job opportunities, and a lack of workplace safety.

To promote gender equality in the workplace, several measures can be taken:

• Equal pay for equal work: India has laws such as the Equal Remuneration Act of 1976 that mandate equal pay for men and women performing the same work. However, enforcing these laws and addressing gender-based pay gaps in the informal sector remains a challenge.
• Support for working mothers: Expanding maternity and childcare benefits, as well as creating flexible working conditions, would help retain women in the workforce. The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act of 2017, which increased maternity leave to 26 weeks, is a step in the right direction but should be complemented by paternity leave policies to encourage shared caregiving responsibilities.
• Skills training and education: Promoting vocational training and digital literacy programs for women, especially in rural areas, can help bridge the skills gap and open up new economic opportunities in sectors such as technology, healthcare, and entrepreneurship.

2. Education and Skill Development

Education is a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of gender inequality. While school enrollment rates for girls have improved over the years, there are still challenges in ensuring that girls complete their education, especially at the secondary and higher education levels.

Key steps to address gender gaps in education include:

• Scholarships and financial support: Providing scholarships, stipends, and financial incentives to encourage girls from low-income and marginalized communities to continue their education can reduce dropout rates. Initiatives such as Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (Save the Girl Child, Educate the Girl Child) have helped raise awareness about the importance of educating girls.
• Safe and inclusive school environments: Ensuring schools have proper sanitation facilities, particularly for girls, can prevent dropouts during adolescence. Creating a safe environment free from harassment and violence is also critical for encouraging girls to stay in school.
• Gender-sensitive curricula: Revising school curricula to include discussions on gender equality, women’s rights, and breaking gender stereotypes can foster a more inclusive mindset from a young age.

3. Political Participation and Leadership

Women’s political representation is a key factor in driving policy changes that promote gender equality. While India has seen trailblazing women leaders, such as Indira Gandhi and current leaders like Nirmala Sitharaman, the overall representation of women in politics remains low.

To increase women’s participation in political decision-making, India must:

• Implement reservation policies: Several states have already implemented reservations for women in local governance, such as the 33% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions. Extending similar reservations to state assemblies and Parliament could significantly boost women’s representation at higher levels of governance.
• Support for women candidates: Providing leadership training, financial support, and mentorship programs for women aspiring to enter politics can help break down barriers to their political participation. Women in leadership positions often serve as role models, inspiring more women to participate in public life.

Addressing Gender-Based Violence

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a pervasive issue that affects women across all socio-economic backgrounds. Domestic violence, sexual harassment, dowry-related deaths, and human trafficking are some of the many forms of violence faced by women in India.

1. Strengthening Legal Frameworks

India has several laws in place to address GBV, including the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (2005), the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act (2013), and Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, which addresses dowry-related harassment. However, gaps in enforcement, underreporting, and social stigma prevent these laws from being fully effective.

Strengthening the implementation of these laws requires:

• Faster judicial processes: Speeding up the investigation and prosecution of gender-based violence cases is essential for ensuring justice for survivors. Special courts for cases of sexual violence and domestic abuse can help in expediting trials and ensuring that justice is not delayed.
• Awareness and outreach: Many women, particularly in rural areas, are unaware of their legal rights and protections. Government and NGO-led awareness campaigns that educate women about available legal resources and support mechanisms are crucial for empowering survivors to seek justice.

2. Supporting Survivors

Supporting survivors of GBV is not limited to legal aid. A holistic approach involves providing psychological, social, and economic support to help survivors rebuild their lives.

• Shelters and crisis centers: Increasing the number of government-funded shelters and crisis centers for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault can provide immediate safety and support. Programs such as the One Stop Centre (OSC) scheme, which offers medical, legal, and counseling services to survivors of violence, are crucial but need to be expanded to cover more areas, especially in rural regions.
• Economic empowerment of survivors: Providing vocational training, employment opportunities, and financial assistance to survivors of gender-based violence is key to ensuring they can regain their independence and break free from abusive situations.

3. Changing Societal Attitudes

One of the most challenging aspects of addressing gender-based violence is changing societal attitudes and norms that perpetuate violence and discrimination. Gender-based violence is often rooted in patriarchy, traditional gender roles, and the objectification of women.

• Gender sensitization programs: Introducing gender sensitization programs in schools, workplaces, and communities can help challenge harmful stereotypes and promote a culture of respect and equality. Engaging men and boys in conversations about gender equality and respectful behavior is also critical in reducing violence.
• Media and public messaging: The media plays a powerful role in shaping public perceptions. Campaigns that highlight the importance of consent, respect, and equality can help shift societal norms around gender roles and violence.

Conclusion

Gender equality in India is an ongoing struggle that requires concerted efforts from all sectors of society. While legal reforms, government initiatives, and economic policies have made progress, achieving true equality requires addressing deep-rooted social norms, economic disparities, and pervasive gender-based violence.

By promoting equal opportunities in education, employment, and political participation, and addressing the systemic issues that allow gender-based violence to persist, India can create a more equitable society for all. Achieving gender equality is not only a matter of social justice but is also essential for the country’s overall development and prosperity.