The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) recently highlighted the widespread issue of biased gender social norms, which have been obstructing progress in achieving gender equality and violating human rights. Despite worldwide campaigns advocating for women’s rights, a significant percentage of the global population still harbour prejudiced beliefs against women. The UNDP’s 2023 Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI) provides valuable insights into these biases and their impact on various aspects of women’s lives.
Findings of the UNDP’s Index
The UNDP tracked attitudes towards women across four key dimensions: political, educational, economic and physical integrity. The report revealed that nearly 90% of people continue to possess at least one bias against women. These prejudices contribute to unequal political participation and representation. Half of the world’s population harbours the belief that men make superior political leaders, while two in five believe men are better business executives. Countries with greater bias have lower representation of women in parliament. For instance, there is scant female leadership in conflict-affected countries such as Ukraine (0%), Yemen (4%), and Afghanistan (10%). Indigenous women, migrant women, and women with disabilities face even more significant challenges in attaining political representation.
Persistent Economic Disparities
While there has been progress in women’s education, it has not translated into improved economic outcomes. Women in 59 countries are more educated than men, yet the average income gap stands at 39%. Furthermore, countries with higher bias in gender social norms have a significant disparity in domestic chores and care work, with women spending almost six times more time on these tasks than men. This imbalance limits their opportunities for personal and professional growth. Alarmingly, 25% of people believe it is justified for a man to beat his wife, revealing the extent of deep-rooted biases.
Signs of Improvements and Breakthroughs
Despite the ongoing challenges, an increase in people with no bias in any indicator was reported in 27 out of 38 surveyed countries, with notable improvements in Germany, Uruguay, New Zealand, Singapore, and Japan. Progress has been achieved through policies, regulations, and scientific advancements. However, biased gender social norms continue to hinder societal development and well-being. The lack of progress coincides with a decline in the Human Development Index (HDI). Achieving freedom and agency for women benefits society as a whole.
Challenges for Gender Equality in India
Deep-rooted cultural and societal norms perpetuate gender bias in India. Traditional beliefs about gender roles restrict women’s opportunities and freedom. For example, the preference for male children has led to a significant gender imbalance and instances of female infanticide. Moreover, violence against women, such as domestic violence, sexual harassment, and rape, remains prevalent. Economic disparities between men and women add to the issue, with unequal pay, limited job opportunities, and under-representation of women in decision-making roles. Access to education and healthcare continues to be a major problem for women in rural areas of India. Lastly, varying socialisation norms for men and women persist, further exacerbating gender bias.
Government Schemes for Women Empowerment in India
The Indian government has initiated several schemes in recent years aiming to empower women. These include Sukanya Samriddhi Yojna, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, and Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra Scheme. These initiatives are aimed at providing better education opportunities, promoting entrepreneurship among women, raising awareness about safety measures, and emphasising women’s leadership in societal development.
Way Forward
Moving forward, the emphasis needs to be on providing better education to women, incorporating gender equality into school curricula from an early age, promoting economic independence through entrepreneurial support and skill development, and raising awareness of safety measures. It is crucial to shift from the idea of women as recipients of development to envisioning them as architects of India’s progress and development.
Referencing UPSC Civil Services Examination’s previous year’s questions, it becomes clear that government schemes such as Swadhar and Swayam Siddha have been instrumental in addressing the issues related to women’s development. However, the need for male membership to counter gender bias within women’s organizations remains a critical topic for discussion.
