Gender Issues

Gender equality remains a core pillar of development. India has transitioned from a welfare-centric approach to a women-led development model. While educational attainment has improved, economic participation and political representation continue to face structural hurdles.

Core Demographic and Health Indicators

Health outcomes are linked to gender parity. Improved nutrition and maternal healthcare are essential for balanced development.

• Sex Ratio: The sex ratio at birth has shown improvement, reaching 918 females per 1,000 males in 2022–2024, up from 896 in 2015–17.
• Maternal Mortality: The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) has declined to 87 per 100,000 live births in 2022–24, down from 122 in 2015–17.
• Health Burden: Women often carry the double burden of productive and reproductive work. Unpaid care and domestic responsibilities remain the primary reason for female non-participation in the labor force, cited by nearly 69% of women.

Economic Participation and Workforce

The female Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) has seen a shift in recent years. More women are entering the formal workforce through targeted skilling and entrepreneurship support.

• Participation Trends: The female LFPR rose from 23.3% in 2017-18 to 41.7% in 2023-24.
• Urban Employment: In cities with populations over 10 lakh, female LFPR increased to 27.2% in 2025 from 19.8% in 2017-18.
• Formalization: EPFO data shows consistent growth in female subscribers, reflecting better formal employment access.
• Entrepreneurship: Government marketplaces like GeM have actively onboarded women-led enterprises. Women-led micro and small enterprises account for a significant share of government procurement.

Constitutional and Legal Safeguards

The legal framework is designed to eliminate discrimination and promote active participation.

Targeted Empowerment Initiatives

The government employs a lifecycle approach to empower women across all stages, from birth to employment and leadership.

• Financial Inclusion: Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) has enabled millions of women to own and operate personal bank accounts, facilitating direct benefit transfers.
• Livelihood Programs: The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) mobilizes women into Self-Help Groups (SHGs). The Lakhpati Didi scheme aims to enable SHG members to earn over ₹1 lakh annually.
• Technical Empowerment: The NaMo Drone Didi initiative trains women to operate drones for agricultural purposes, integrating technology into rural livelihoods.
• Support Services: One Stop Centres (OSCs) and the 181 Women Helpline provide 24/7 assistance for women facing violence or distress.

Challenges and Structural Barriers

Despite progress, several factors limit the realization of full gender parity.

• Unpaid Care Work: Women spend a disproportionate amount of time on domestic chores, which acts as a barrier to professional growth.
• Safety Concerns: Workplace and public safety continue to influence the type of work women choose and the hours they are willing to work.
• Regional Disparities: Performance on gender indicators varies significantly across states and rural-urban divides.
• Social Norms: Persistent patriarchal attitudes continue to impact decision-making power at the household and community levels.
• Political Representation: Despite the success of local body reservations, the proportion of women in national and state legislatures remains below potential, necessitating effective implementation of reservation laws.

Key Facts

• The Global Gender Gap Report 2025 ranked India 131st out of 148 countries.
• India has the highest rise in women’s labor force participation among BRICS nations between 2015 and 2024.
• The Maternity Benefit Act (Amendment) 2017 increased maternity leave from 12 to 26 weeks for eligible employees.
• Women-led enterprises on the GeM portal have secured contracts worth over ₹80,000 crore as of January 2026.
• The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994, is the primary legal tool used to combat sex-selective practices and improve the child sex ratio.