The human development index (HDI) in India is poor in comparison to other countries. “There are three parameters on which the United Nation’s Development Programme (UNDP) draws its HDI. These are health, education and economic status. On all the three counts India lags behind other countries, especially where women are concerned,” said S L Rao, director, Indian Social and Economic Institute (ISEC).

In his keynote address at the Gender Agenda Review Meet organised by Women PowerConnect, Karnataka Chapter, in Bangalore on Tuesday, Prof Rao said, in India the gender index runs far behind the HDI. 

“As far as HDI is concerned, India ranks 126th in a rating of 177 countries. Countries like Namibia, South Africa, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and China are ahead of us,” he said. Gender development indicator (GDI), he said, takes three things into account: Life expectancy, literacy (enrollment ratio in schools) and estimated earned incomes. “This index is much lower than the overall HDI in India,” he said. “The HDI does not look at other aspects of discrimination against women and therefore, it is important that the HDI studies look at the dis-segregation, by caste, community, income location etc.  Among Muslims, the Sachar Report suggests, that infanticide is lower in comparison to non-Muslims, though on all other accounts, they are far behind,” said Prof Rao.

He said that the economic and political status of women in the country is also quite poor.

“Women earn far less than men and there are less number of women at work, in comparison to men. In politics, there’s hardly any representation of women. There are few legislators and bureaucrats. Women do not exercise their political power in relation to their proportion in the general population,” he added.

Chairperson, State Women’s Commission, Pramila Nesargi, spoke about the Domestic Violence Bill and said that women should use it aptly but with discretion. She also spoke about the absence of women in politics and key positions.