The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 13th February 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

A Global Alliance to Bridge the Gender Equity Gap

Why in News?

Equality and inclusion are the cornerstones of India’s development journey. The New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration, which was adopted at the G-20 under India’s presidency, is a testament to this commitment. By prioritising inclusion at the centre of focus areas such as socio-economic empowerment, bridging the digital divide, driving climate action, ensuring food security, nutrition, health, and well-being, among others, the declaration underlines the need for advocating a growth agenda that is driven by women-led development.

What is the Women's Empowerment Index (WEI)?

• The WEI is a composite index developed by UN Women and UNDP.
• It measures women's empowerment across five dimensions: life and good health, education, skill-building and knowledge, labor and financial inclusion, participation in decision-making, and freedom from violence.
• The WEI captures women's power and freedom to make choices and seize life opportunities.
• The development of the WEI marks a significant milestone in evidence-based policymaking and serves as a baseline for monitoring the government's progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG5) on gender equality and empowerment of women and girls.

What is the Global Gender Parity Index (GGPI)?

• Composite index evaluating gender disparities in crucial dimensions of human development: health, education, inclusion, and decision-making.
• Developed by UN Women and UNDP as part of the global report titled ‘The Path to Equality: Women’s Empowerment and Gender Parity in Human Development’, launched in July 2023.
• Aims to depict the status of women compared to men across various contexts and dimensions.
• Reflects the multidimensional and interrelated nature of gender equality.

Current Status of Gender Equity in Education in India

• Economic Participation and Health and Survival:
  • Beti Bachao Beti Padhao: Ensures the protection, survival, and education of the girl child.
  • Mahila Shakti Kendra: Aims to empower rural women through skill development and employment opportunities.
  • Rashtriya Mahila Kosh: An apex micro-finance organization providing micro-credit to poor women for livelihood and income generating activities.
  • Sukanya Samriddhi Yojna: Empowers girls economically through bank account openings.
  • Female Entrepreneurship: Government programs like Stand-Up India, Mahila e-Haat (an online marketing platform), and Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Programme (ESSDP) promote female entrepreneurship.
• Education:
  • Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya: Established in Educationally Backward Blocks (EBBs) to provide education.
• Political Representation:
  • Political Reservation: Government reserves 33% of seats in Panchayati Raj Institutions for women.
  • Capacity Building of Elected Women Representatives: Conducted to empower women for effective participation in governance processes.

What Should be The Way Forward?