Gender equality is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development. In India, the promotion of gender equality has made significant progress, but it also faces persistent challenges. Progress has been made in sectors such as education and health, but deeply ingrained cultural norms and systemic barriers continue to hinder the full realization of access and progress for girls and women.

The current status of gender equality in India is as follows:

• State performance: According to NITI Aayog, the states of Uttarakhand, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa and Himachal Pradesh are the best performers, while Bihar, Jharkhand, Nagaland and Meghalaya have the furthest to go to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Among the Union Territories, Chandigarh is the best performer. This score shows the progress made so far in achieving the goals adopted by all members of the United Nations (UN) in 2015 to ensure the prosperity of people and the planet. It also indicates the gap to be filled by 2030.
• Education: Girls are more likely to drop out of school; although data from the All India Survey of Higher Education (AISHE 2021-22) shows that the gross enrollment ratio (GER) of women increased to 28.5 in 2021-22 from 27.9 in 2020- 21. Women’s GER has improved in recent years.
• Mortality Rate: India is witnessing a worrying trend where the mortality rate of girls at birth is higher than that of boys, which is atypical for a large country like India.

India’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index shows states’ scores range from 57 to 79 in 2023-24, which is a substantial improvement from the range of 42 to 69 in 2018. The government has taken targeted measures such as girls’ education. child, providing housing and subsidies, health insurance and small business loans.

Despite improvements, SDG 5 aims to ensure gender equality and India’s overall score is 49. This observation suggests that a little more than half way needs to be covered to achieve the goals specified in this framework. Highlighting the need for better infrastructure, safe workspaces and minimal gender discrimination, women would continue to face challenges.

Gender inequality is inherently seen regularly at home, in public places, in the workplace and in communities. This is what happens in textbooks, in films, in the media and among the men and women who provide care and support. In the Indian context, gender inequality is deeply embedded in societal norms and affects opportunities. Even though it has an impact on the lives of both sexes, statistically it is girls who are the most disadvantaged. Girls tend to face significant limitations in mobility, decision-making and access to education and health services.

Although there are Indian women who are world leaders and hold positions in various fields, most women and girls in India still face problems and are not able to enjoy and exercise their rights due to deeply rooted visions, norms, traditions, social structures and social constructs. . There are struggles, risks, violations and vulnerabilities that women and girls face because of their gender and most of them are directly linked to the economic, political, social and cultural disadvantages they face in their daily life.

With the prevalence of gender inequality and social norms and practices, they are at risk of early marriage, domestic work, sexual abuse, violence and exploitation. Many of these events will not change unless girls have access to opportunities and are more valued.

Gender equality is essential for sustainable development and collectively contributes to economic, social and cultural progress. Empowering women and girls requires targeted investments and collaboration to achieve short, medium and long-term results.

Increasing access to education, nutrition, reducing anemia and improving sanitation in school premises are some short-term measures taken by the state and central schemes and programmes.

Other steps to take include involving men and boys in discussions about gender equality to raise awareness. Raising awareness and mobilizing many sectors of society is crucial to changing societal perceptions.

Infrastructure and services must be adapted for women and girls. Providing them with services and a safe environment at home, at school, in public spaces and in the workplace can reduce and mitigate the risks they face.

There are various government programs specifically tailored to the needs of girls, with the main focus being on education and the development of life skills. Access to these programs can build resilience and opportunity for millions of girls.

Achieving gender equality is vital for sustainable development in India. This requires a multi-dimensional approach involving education, societal change and supporting infrastructure to empower women and girls, thereby contributing to the growth and development of the nation. The proposed solutions will foster an inclusive environment in which all individuals, regardless of gender, can thrive and contribute to overall development.

This article is written by Paresh Kumar, Co-Founder and CEO of DevInsights.