Population census is one of the leading planning strategies for national progress and sustainable development. Population census is an essential step for providing, expanding, and sustaining infrastructure to improve the quality of life of the citizens of a nation. Enumeration of the population by gender is indispensable for demographic study and is needed for demographic scrutiny. Based on the census done in 2001, areas with gender critical issues were identified and were taken care of in the 2011 census. 

Why is population enumeration based on gender necessary?

One of the basic demographic features is the population enumeration based on gender composition, and it helps in the proper demography analysis. Gender composition changes in a nation’s population reflect the economic, social, and cultural pattern of society. 

The sex ratio

The sex ratio is a crucial social indicator. It is the number of women present per 1000 men. In nature, the sex ratio is almost equal, but in reality, we see a massive difference in the number of the male and the female population, especially in India. In Indian society, the ratio of sex is always in favor of males, and the number of males is rising compared to the females. This noticeable disparity between India’s female and male population has forced planners and policymakers to take practical steps. According to the 2011 census, the sex ratio in India is 940 females per 1000 males.

What are the factors to study gender differential?

It is essential to assess the differences in gender in the Indian population based on certain social-economic and demographic factors. The gender differential is studied based on the population’s growth, structure, literacy, health, and workplace over some years.  

Gender elements were included in the 2011 Census.

After analyzing the shortcomings of the 2001 Census for gender differential, certain elements were included for studying the data on population by gender in the 2011 Census. 

1. Coverage of the whole population: Stress was given to include females of these categories in the 2011 Census:

• Widowed
• Elderly
• Divorced
• Separated
• Differently-abled
• Infants
• Unmarried

1. Households headed by females: In the Census 2011, lots of efforts were made to precisely know and get the definition of head of the household. Stress was given to identify the households headed by females. 

1. Age, religion, marriage: Age is fundamental demographic data. Age can provide a clear picture of the type of population, such as the elderly, children, and young. Once the numbers of each category are obtained, Policymakers can analyze various issues related to the nation’s development if they are given accurate data on population by gender. Based on the marital status of the females, issues such as child marriage, late marriage, widows, separated, and divorced can be taken care of. 

1. Disability: Accurate data is essential to plan and allocate necessary resources to the citizens. Policymakers can provide special facilities to the differently-abled people and their families, provided with the correct data. During the 2011 Census, stress was imposed to probe for the female population with any disability. 

1. Mother tongue and other languages: Marriages take place across cities and states. In Census 2011, stress was given to collect data about the mother tongue and other languages spoken by the female members of the family. 

1. Literacy: During Census 2011, the data collectors were asked to probe the literacy status of the female members of the family. They enquired about members receiving adult or non-formal education and reported the data. 

1. Work status: A probe was made about the kind of work the female members of the family are doing. Many females in the families are involved in economically productive but unpaid work.

Migration: During the Census 2011, the data collectors were asked to understand and find out the kind of migration of females and record their actual birthplace and last residence. 

Methodology to calculate gender differential

The gender differential is calculated using the male-female ratio under each category. The index of dissimilarity of the population by gender can be calculated as the male/female ratio over the years or on age. 

Index of Dissimilarity=

N=total number of observation

R=male/female ratio over the x years/ age

The most negligible value of the index is ‘0’, and this happens when there is no difference between females and males. 

The factors affecting the dissimilarity index are:

• Population size
• Population growth
• Age-structure
• Incidence of births
• Infant mortality
• Age-specific mortality rate
• Life expectancy at birth
• Literacy status
• Participation in workforce

Conclusion:

India had signed the UN Convention in 1979 to eliminate all types of discrimination against women, and various levels of the government have taken many initiatives, but the progress is not taking place at the pace that was expected. Discrimination in the population by gender is The gender classification for the country has remained constant for several decades, with females holding approximately 51.1% of the total population from 2013 to till now. In 2018, women outnumbered men in the majority across most states in the country. 

very significant in education, health, and work participation, especially in the vulnerable groups such as the poor, elderly, differently-abled, and others. Equality of gender is an ongoing process, and it is needed to promote sustainable development, reduce poverty, and good governance.