Essay on Gender Equality in Modern India – Progress and Challenges For UPSC & Other Competitive Exams

Essay on Gender Equality in Modern India – Progress and Challenges | Essay Writing For UPSC & All Other Competitive Exams

Introduction

Gender equality is essential for inclusive development in any modern society. It means providing equal rights, opportunities, and respect to all individuals, regardless of gender. In India, the Constitution guarantees equal rights to all citizens, yet the journey toward gender equality remains a work in progress. While there have been notable advancements, challenges persist across social, economic, and political spheres.

Historical Background

India’s fight for gender equality began during the reform movements of the 19th century, led by pioneers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, who campaigned against practices like Sati and child marriage. Post-independence, the Indian Constitution guaranteed equality (Article 14), non-discrimination (Article 15), and equal opportunity (Article 16), laying the foundation for gender justice.

Progress So Far

  • Legal Reforms: Enactments like the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (2005) and the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act (2013) have strengthened women's rights and safety.
  • Educational Advancements: Female literacy rates have improved, reaching 70.3% in 2022, up from 53.7% in 2001 . Initiatives like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao have been instrumental in promoting girls' education.
  • Political Representation: The passage of the Women's Reservation Bill (2023), reserving 33% of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies for women, marks a significant step toward inclusive governance.
  • Workforce Inclusion: The female labour force participation rate has seen a notable rise, reaching 41.7% in 2023-24, up from 23.3% in 2017-18, as per the Periodic Labour Force Survey. [Programs like the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-NRLM have integrated over 89 million women into Self-Help Groups, fostering entrepreneurship and financial inclusion.]
  • Digital Inclusion: Programs under Digital India have enhanced women's access to digital resources, fostering opportunities in education and entrepreneurship.
  • Economic Empowerment: More women are entering entrepreneurship, with support from schemes like Stand-Up India, Mudra Yojana, and SHG-bank linkage programs. Over 23 crore women own Jan Dhan bank accounts (2024).
  • Entrepreneurship: Over 20% of MSMEs in India are women-led, reflecting growing economic leadership.

Ongoing Challenges

  • Labour Force Participation: Women’s participation in the labour force remains low at 24% (PLFS 2022), due to societal norms, safety concerns, and lack of flexible work.
  • Gender Pay Gap: Indian women earn 20–30% less than men for similar work (ILO 2023).
  • Violence and Safety: Over 4.5 lakh crimes against women were reported in 2022 (NCRB), highlighting persistent safety challenges.
  • Health Inequities: Malnutrition, lack of reproductive health access, and gender bias in medical care affect women disproportionately.
  • Patriarchal Mindsets: Deep-rooted social norms still restrict women’s mobility, decision-making, and property rights in many areas.
  • Low Leadership Roles : Women in India hold only 17.6% of board seats in top companies (2024) and make up just 15% of Parliament, reflecting low leadership roles across politics, business, and society.

 

Conclusion
Gender equality is a cornerstone of India's democratic and developmental aspirations. India has made commendable progress in promoting gender equality through legal reforms, educational initiatives, and economic empowerment programs. However, it is crucial to address the persistent challenges. A multifaceted approach involving policy implementation, societal mindset shifts, and infrastructural support is essential to achieve true gender equality and harness the full potential of India's demographic dividend.

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