Context: 

This editorial is based on the news “A global alliance to bridge the gender equity gap” which was published in the Hindu. The article highlights India’s commitment to gender equality in India and across the Globe. 

Gender Equality In India: India’s Initiatives and Actions On Gender Equality and Equity

• Mainstreaming Gender Equality In India: It has been a key development area for the Government of India for over a decade now. 
• Women’s Reservation Bill: In 2023, this bill was passed to ensure reservation of a third of seats for women in Parliament and the State Assemblies. 
  • It is a revolutionary tool for women’s empowerment and is expected to contribute extensively to improving the processes of India’s governance. 
• Budget Allocation: Allocations of nearly $27 billion under the gender budget in 2023-24 are a manifestation of the commitment of the government to advancing women-led development.
• Increase in India’s Female Labour Force Participation (FLFP) Rate: The FLFP increased from 23.3% in 2017-18 to 37% in 2022-23 as per the annual Periodic Labour Force Surveys. 
• High Enrolment in Higher Education: Female enrolment in higher education has gone up by 28% in the last 10 years. 
• Progress in STEM: In terms of enrolment in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) courses, the share of women is 43%, one of the highest enrolment rates in the world. 
• Improvement in Socio-Economic Conditions: Even within rural India, there is a participation of over nine crore women in 83 lakh self-help groups, improving the socio-economic conditions in rural areas. 

India’s Actions To Bridge Gender Equality and Equity and Impact On World

• We-Lead Lounge: It was set up by the Ministry of Women and Child Development and the Confederation of Indian Industry at Davos. 
  • It served as a platform to have many meaningful deliberations around how the world can contribute, join, and drive inclusive development. 
• At the World Economic Forum: In January 2024, India launched the ‘Alliance for Global Good Gender Equity and Equality’. The Alliance is anchored by the CII Centre for Women Leadership, guided by the Minister of Women and Child Development.
  • The alliance is one of the examples of leadership, as India accepts responsibility to provide shared direction to stakeholders globally.
  • This multi-stakeholder initiative has placed India center stage for accelerating the socio-economic cause as it will have a sustained global impact. 
  • This Alliance now serves as a platform to channelise the resultant enthusiasm and intent into action at the global level.
  • It will have a global network of experts, think-tanks, industry and country leadership that will drive collective actions to augment women empowerment. 
• Pharmacy of the World: India’s leadership in multiple required areas is proven and gaining the label of “pharmacy of the world”. 
• The New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration: It was adopted at the G-20 under India’s Presidency. 
  • By prioritizing inclusion at the center of focus areas such as socio-economic empowerment, bridging the digital divide, driving climate action, ensuring food security, nutrition, health, and well-being, among others, it underlines the need for advocating a growth agenda that is driven by women-led development. 

Way Forward To Gender Equality In India and Across Globe

• An Opportunity: For industry across the globe, this is an opportunity to share some of the practices that we have developed:
  • To advance the entry and growth of women in the workspace.
  • To invest in proven programmes and initiatives and enable them to reach scale.
  • To work collectively to make inclusion a business conversation. 
• Collaborative Learning: It is also an opportunity to learn and develop solutions with the global community consisting of industry, think tanks and investors to advance commitment to increased engagement and leadership of women within the economy, through increased access to health care, education opportunities and economic opportunities.

Conclusion

India’s abiding commitment to ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam– One Earth, One Family, One Future’ and its continued efforts towards Sabka Saath, Sabka Prayaas, Sabka Vikaas, this Alliance for Global Good Gender Equity and Equality is poised to be a force to reckon with on all gender-related issues.