Global Gender Gap Index – 2020

According to the Gender Gap Index 2020 published by the World Economic Forum (WEF), India has ranked 112th globally in terms of gender gap. According to the Global Gender Gap Index (CGGI) published in 2018 by the World Economic Forum (WEF), India’s rank was 108th. The number of countries increased to 153 from 149 in the Global Gender Gap index 2020. India’s score became 0.668 in 2020 compared to 0.665 in 2018.   The Gender Gap Index is an important benchmarking tool to track progress of the country. 

What is the Gender Gap Index?

The Gender Gap Index measures the gap between men and women in four major areas: economy, education, health, and politics. Gender equality is needed for a prosperous, peaceful, and sustainable world. The Gender Gap Index is an important benchmarking tool to track progress of a country. The highest score on this index is 1, and the lowest score is 0. 

What is the significance of the Gender Gap Index?

The Gender Gap Index is measured across four sub-indexes: health and survival, educational attainment, economic participation and opportunity, and political empowerment. This index assesses countries on how their opportunities and resources are divided among the males and females and what is the gap in the access level of the males and females to the resources and opportunities. The Gender Gap Index Report is a message to policymakers. Based on the outcome of this global Gender Report, the government and policymakers make changes in their strategies or plan new ones to bridge the gap between the male and female population. 

Findings of Global Gender Gap Report 2020 

 India has ranked 112th globally in terms of gender gap as per the Gender Gap Report 2020, and the government has already started working towards it. India has 

• ranked 18th on the political empowerment index
• ranked 150th on the health and survival index
• ranked 149th on economic participation and opportunity
• Only 13.8% of women are on company boards.
• The economic gender gap of 0.354, and the political gap of 0.411. 

Indian Government initiatives

India has ranked 112th globally in terms of gender gap out of 153 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index 2020. The Government of India has taken many initiatives to end gender-based inequalities. The government has taken legislative and constitutional provisions and come up with many short-term and long-term schemes and programs to reduce the gender disparity, improve the socio-economic status of Indian women, and increase their participation in different fields. 

Constitutional and Legislative Provisions

Constitutional Provisions: The following articles make special provisions for women’s rights, so that gender equality is achieved.

• Article 14
• Article 15(3)
• Article 39 A
• Article 42

Legislative Provisions: the following acts are implemented to protect the rights of Indian women.

• Minimum Wages Act, 1948 
• Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 
• Equal Remuneration Act, 1976
• Preconception and Prenatal Diagnostics Act (PCPNDT) 1994
• Sexual Harassment of Women and Workplace (Prohibition, Prevention, and Redressal) Act 2013 
• Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 (Amendment made in 2017)

Economic participation and opportunity

• BBBP(Beti Bachao Beti Padhao) for the education, survival, and protection of girl child
• WWH(Working Women Hostel for the security and safety of the working women
• MSK(Mahila Shakti Kendra) for the rural women to develop skills and get employment
• Mahila Police Volunteers
• Pradhan Mantri Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana for opening bank accounts for girl child
• Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana – Protection of women’s health by providing free LPG cylinder
• The National Creche system so that women can go to work by keeping their children in a secure and safe place
• Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana so that women can also have their own house
• Mahila e-Haat and Stand Up India to encourage female entrepreneurship

Educational Initiatives

• The National Curriculum Framework(NCF) 2005
• Samagra Shiksha programme
• Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas are opened  in EBBs(Educationally Backward Blocks)
• Construction of toilets for girls
• Building of residential quarters for female teachers

Political Participation

The Government has reserved 33% seats for women in Panchayats. The Ministry of Women and Child has conducted Capacity Building of EWRs (Elected Women Representatives) to empower women so that their participation in the government increases. 

India has ranked 112th globally in terms of gender gap and all the above initiatives will help the nation to achieve a better rank in Global Gender Gap Index  in the coming years. 

Conclusion

India’s progress towards gender parity has slowed down during the pandemic time. As stated in the Global Gender Gap Index 2020, published by the World Economic Forum, India has ranked 112th globally in terms of gender gap. According to the Gender Gap Report, India should focus on the ‘Health and Survival Index’ where it has fared the worst. The government has already taken up measures to reduce the gender gap in India; many more initiatives are to be taken to improve income inequality, female literacy rate, poor healthcare, and women’s labour force participation rate in India.