The Avtar Top Cities for Women in India (TCWI) 2024 report reveals South India as the frontrunner in providing women-friendly career opportunities and infrastructure. This report analysed 120 cities using an inclusivity index that evaluates safety, empowerment, and career prospects. Sixteen of the top 25 cities are located in South India, with Tamil Nadu contributing eight cities. The results highlight regional disparities in women’s inclusion across India.
Key Metrics of Inclusivity
The TCWI report assesses cities based on three primary scores – City Inclusion Score (CIS), Social Inclusion Score (SIS), and Industrial Inclusion Score (IIS). These metrics evaluate crime rates, safety, infrastructure, career opportunities, and empowerment. Bengaluru topped the list with a CIS of 47.15, followed closely by Chennai at 46.31. Mumbai and Hyderabad also featured prominently in the rankings.
Regional Performance Overview
South India excels in inclusivity metrics. It scored highest in all three parameters – SIS (25.06), CIS (18.56), and IIS (10.11). West India follows, with SIS at 22.78 and CIS at 16.92. This performance indicates a well-rounded approach to social and industrial inclusion in South Indian cities.
Top Cities for Women
Bengaluru, Chennai, and Mumbai are among the top cities for women based on various inclusivity indicators. In terms of IIS, Bengaluru leads with a score of 81.33, with Mumbai and Chennai following. Chennai ranks highest in SIS at 45.31, while Pune leads in Quality of Life with a score of 7.50. These scores reflect the cities’ commitment to creating supportive environments for women.
Disparities in Inclusion
The TCWI report marks disparities across India. The South emerges as the most inclusive region, outperforming others in all metrics. This regional analysis indicates a need for other regions to adopt similar strategies to improve women’s inclusion and empowerment.
Women’s Experiences and Ratings
Women’s ratings of their inclusion experiences were assessed across various categories. These include Skilling and Employment, Caregiving Support, and Quality of Life. Mumbai and Bengaluru scored highly in Skilling and Employment, while Pune excelled in Quality of Life. These ratings provide vital information about the challenges and successes faced by women in urban environments.
Future Implications
The findings from the TCWI report suggest a growing recognition of women’s needs in urban planning. Policymakers are encouraged to focus on enhancing inclusivity in cities across India. The emphasis on women’s empowerment can lead to improved social and economic outcomes for all.
Questions for UPSC:
- Discuss the importance of women-friendly policies in urban planning.
- Critically examine the role of regional disparities in women’s empowerment across India.
- Explain the significance of the City Inclusion Score in assessing urban inclusivity.
- With suitable examples, discuss how infrastructure influences women’s career opportunities in urban areas.
Answer Hints:
1. Discuss the importance of women-friendly policies in urban planning.
- Women-friendly policies promote safety, accessibility, and equality in urban spaces.
- They encourage women’s participation in the workforce and decision-making processes.
- Such policies can lead to improved quality of life and social empowerment for women.
- Increased representation of women in urban planning can address specific needs and challenges.
- Women-friendly environments can attract more businesses and investments, enhancing economic growth.
2. Critically examine the role of regional disparities in women’s empowerment across India.
- Regional disparities affect access to education, employment, and safety for women.
- South India shows higher scores in inclusivity metrics compared to other regions.
- Variations in cultural attitudes and government policies contribute to these disparities.
- Regions with better infrastructure and support systems exhibit more empowered women.
- Addressing these disparities is crucial for national progress towards gender equality.
3. Explain the significance of the City Inclusion Score in assessing urban inclusivity.
- The City Inclusion Score (CIS) evaluates how well cities support women’s inclusion and empowerment.
- CIS incorporates factors like safety, career opportunities, and infrastructure quality.
- A high CIS indicates a more conducive environment for women’s growth and participation.
- It serves as a benchmark for policymakers to identify areas needing improvement.
- Tracking changes in CIS over time can reflect the effectiveness of women-friendly initiatives.
4. With suitable examples, discuss how infrastructure influences women’s career opportunities in urban areas.
- Well-connected public transport systems enable women to access jobs more easily.
- Safe and well-lit public spaces reduce the risk of harassment, encouraging women to work outside the home.
- Availability of childcare facilities supports working mothers, enhancing their career prospects.
- Examples include Bengaluru’s tech parks that attract women in IT sectors due to supportive infrastructure.
- Investment in women’s safety infrastructure, like surveillance and emergency services, boosts their confidence in pursuing careers.
