Gender Gap in India

Photo: Aaron Braitmaier
In India, the gender gap refers to the disparities between men and women across various aspects of society, including employment, education, and political representation. Despite progress in recent years, significant inequalities persist, impacting women’s opportunities and outcomes.
In the workforce, Indian women face challenges such as wage disparities, limited access to formal employment, and a disproportionate burden of unpaid care work. While there has been an increase in women’s participation in the workforce, they continue to be underrepresented in leadership positions and high-paying industries.
Education is another area where the gender gap is evident. While efforts have been made to improve access to education for girls, disparities remain, particularly in rural areas. Socio-cultural factors, such as early marriage and gender stereotypes, often hinder girls’ access to education and limit their opportunities for academic and career advancement.
Political representation is also a concern, with women occupying a minority of seats in the Indian Parliament and state legislatures. Although there has been some progress in increasing female representation in politics, women continue to face barriers such as lack of support from political parties and entrenched patriarchal norms.
Addressing the gender gap in India requires concerted efforts from government, civil society, and the private sector. Initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality, such as legal reforms, educational programs, and affirmative action measures, are crucial for narrowing the gap and empowering women.
By acknowledging and actively working to address the gender gap, India can create a more inclusive and equitable society where women have equal opportunities to participate in all aspects of life and contribute to the country’s development.
World Economic Forum
Global Gender Gap Report India
The Global Gender Gap Report benchmarks countries on their progress towards gender parity across four thematic dimensions: Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health and Survival, and Political Empowerment.
2023
Rank: 127 (out of 146 countries)
Score: 0.643
› report
2020
Rank: 112 (out of 153 countries)
Score: 0.668
2017
Rank: 108 (out of 144 countries)
Score: 0,669
2016
Rank: 87 (out of 144 countries)
Score: 0.683
UN Women India
Women Count Data Hub: India
Globally, some progress on women’s rights has been achieved. In India, 83.3% of legal frameworks that promote, enforce and monitor gender equality under the SDG indicator, with a focus on violence against women, are in place. The adolescent birth rate is 12.2 per 1,000 women aged 15–19 as of 2018, up from 10.7 per 1,000 in 2016. In 2016, 72.8% of women of reproductive age (15-49 years) had their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods.
Country Fact Sheet
> data.unwomen.org/country/india