JOIN USDespite the fact that India was among the earliest countries to have had a woman prime minister and later several women chief ministers, the country still has a long way to go before achieving gender parity.
Even sustaining the existing difference has turned out to be a challenge, let alone reducing the gap. According to the latest Gender Equality Index brought out by the World Economic Forum, India slipped 13 places -- from 101 to 114 – between 2013 and 2014, a poor commentary on the condition of women in the country.
Surprisingly, when it comes to female political empowerment India ranks way up in 15th place but that has not translated into a better life for women in general. The country sinks right to the bottom (just above Armenia) in the 141st place in the areas of health and survival. The gender index clearly indicates that despite areas where there may be an appearance of equality, Indian society remains largely traditional and options for women are limited. Take the employment indicator.
Men get paid on an average four times more than women for the same level of work. Or, for that matter, education. For every 100 literate males, there are only 68 female counterparts. No wonder, India ranks 126 in this area. Governments at the Centre and the states have over the years unveiled several ambitious women-centric programmes, but either these are useless or have not been sincerely implemented.
For all the discrimination against women, the reality of their performance tells a different tale. The gender index points out that Indian women are far better budget managers than men. Not just that, they are more efficient representatives than men in that they are able to garner better resources for the community even though they are less educated and do not have the requisite work experience like their male counterparts. It is time the index is taken seriously.
The Union government should take the lead in implementing game-changing laws like enacting the women’s reservation bill which has remained stuck for over a decade now. Some states have implemented 50 per cent female reservation in panchayats but all must follow. Chiefs of private industry too should ensure more jobs for women with pay equal to that of the men.
The biggest challenge is how to change the conservative and narrow mindset among sections of the citizenry who do not think twice before resorting to abhorrent practices like female foeticide and relentlessly fan the notion that the woman’s place is only at home – to procreate and take care of the family.