Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Gender discrimination, deeply entrenched in India's socio-cultural fabric, refers to the unequal treatment and opportunities afforded to individuals based on their gender, primarily affecting women. Despite constitutional guarantees of equality and significant progress in certain areas, gender disparities persist across various dimensions of life. India's ranking of 108 out of 193 countries in the UNDP Gender Inequality Index 2022, and 129 out of 146 in the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2024, highlights the pervasive nature of this issue. A critical evaluation reveals that while legal frameworks exist, their effective implementation often falls short, leading to systemic disadvantages for women.
Manifestations of Gender Discrimination in India
Gender discrimination in India is multifaceted, impacting women across their lifecycle, from birth to old age. These issues are deeply rooted in patriarchal mindsets, traditional norms, and socio-economic structures.
1. Economic Sphere
- Gender Pay Gap: Women in India earn significantly less than men for the same work. According to the World Inequality Report 2022, men earn 82% of the labor income in India, while women earn only 18%. The Periodic Labour Force Surveys (2019-2023) further highlight this disparity, with self-employed men earning about 2.8 times more than women, salaried men 1.2 times more, and male casual workers about 1.5 times more.
- Low Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR): India's FLFPR is alarmingly low, standing at approximately 41.7% for women compared to 78.8% for men in 2023-24, reflecting systemic barriers to women's workforce inclusion. Many women leave the workforce due to household responsibilities and childcare.
- Occupational Segregation and "Sticky Floors": Women are often concentrated in low-paying, informal sectors with limited opportunities for upward mobility. They are underrepresented in high-skill, high-potential sectors like Data and AI (24%), Engineering (20%), and Cloud Computing (17%).
- Limited Asset Ownership: Women comprise only 14% of all landowners in India, limiting their economic independence and access to credit.
2. Educational Sphere
- Literacy Rate Disparity: As per the 2011 Census, the female literacy rate in India was 65.46% compared to 82.14% for males. While this gap is narrowing, it still persists.
- Dropout Rates: Girls are more likely to drop out of school, especially as they move to higher education levels, due to early marriages, household responsibilities, poverty, and a lack of safe educational spaces, including inadequate sanitation facilities. For instance, only 3 out of 5 girls in India are enrolled in higher secondary education (UDISE 2021-22).
- Preference for Male Education: Traditional beliefs often prioritize male education, viewing it as an investment for the family, while a girl's education is sometimes seen as less beneficial or an expense for another family (her husband's).
3. Health Sphere
- Sex-Selective Abortions and Female Infanticide: Despite legal prohibitions, a strong preference for male children leads to sex-selective abortions and female infanticide, contributing to an imbalanced sex ratio.
- Maternal Mortality and Reproductive Health: High maternal mortality rates and limited access to reproductive healthcare facilities disproportionately affect women. The adolescent birth rate in India was 11.3 per 1,000 women aged 15-19 in 2020.
- Healthcare Access Disparities: Families with limited resources often prioritize healthcare for male members. A 2019 study published in BMJ Open found extensive discrimination in access to healthcare, with significantly fewer female outpatient visits compared to males in a large public hospital in Delhi.
- Nutrition Disparities: Cultural norms often prioritize male children, leading to malnutrition among women and girls.
4. Social and Political Sphere
- Gender-Based Violence (GBV): Violence against women remains a pervasive issue. In 2021, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reported 428,278 incidents of crime against women, an 87% increase from 2011. This includes domestic abuse, sexual assault, dowry deaths, and other forms of violence. The weighted prevalence of domestic violence against women in India was 31.2% in 2019-2021, with physical violence reported by 28.5%.
- Child Marriage and Dowry System: Despite legal restrictions, child marriage persists, especially in rural areas, denying girls their right to education and health. Dowry-related violence remains a grim reality, with 6,589 dowry deaths registered in 2021.
- Political Underrepresentation: Despite constitutional provisions for gender equality, women's representation in political institutions remains low. As of February 2024, only 14.7% of seats in Parliament were held by women. While women's voter turnout has increased, their representation in decision-making bodies at higher levels is limited due to patriarchal structures, financial barriers, and gender stereotypes.
- Unpaid Care Work: Women disproportionately shoulder unpaid domestic and caregiving responsibilities, spending seven to ten times more on domestic tasks than men, compared to a global average of two to three times. This limits their opportunities for economic participation and career advancement.
Government Initiatives and their Limitations
The Indian government has launched several schemes and enacted laws to address gender discrimination:
| Area | Key Initiatives/Laws | Limitations |
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| Education & Empowerment |
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| Economic & Livelihood |
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| Safety & Justice |
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| Political Representation |
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Consequences of Gender Discrimination
- Psychological Impact: Constant discrimination can lead to low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder among women.
- Economic Loss: Gender inequality hinders India's economic growth. Studies estimate that better female participation in India's job market could add $770 billion to the country's GDP by 2025 (AXA IM Corporate) and potentially boost GDP by 27% with gender parity (NEXT IAS).
- Limited Human Development: Discrimination restricts women's access to education, health, and opportunities, limiting their overall human development and perpetuating cycles of poverty.
- Social Inequity: Deepens societal divides, fostering resentment and hindering inclusive growth.
Conclusion
Gender discrimination in India is a complex, pervasive challenge deeply rooted in patriarchal norms and socio-economic disparities, manifesting across economic, educational, health, and political spheres. Despite progressive constitutional provisions and numerous government initiatives, significant gaps persist, as evidenced by low female labour force participation, a persistent gender pay gap, high rates of gender-based violence, and underrepresentation in decision-making bodies. Addressing these issues requires not only stronger legal enforcement and policy implementation but also a fundamental shift in societal attitudes and cultural perceptions. A holistic approach focusing on education, economic empowerment, safety, and equal political participation is crucial for realizing a truly equitable and inclusive India.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.