Hindu Editorial Analysis : 24-June-2023

The Global Gender Gap Index is an annual report that measures and compares gender parity across various dimensions, including Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health and Survival, and Political Empowerment. In the recent 2023 report, India has shown significant improvement, climbing eight places to reach a rank of 127 out of 146 countries.

Improvements in Education:

India has made commendable progress in achieving gender parity in education. The country has attained enrollment parity across all levels of education. This indicates that both boys and girls have equal access to education, providing a strong foundation for progress and empowerment.

Challenges in Economic Participation:

While India has made strides in closing the overall gender gap by 64.3%, there is still work to be done in economic participation and opportunity. The report highlights that only 36.7% parity has been achieved in this area. Although there has been an increase in wage and income parity, the representation of women in senior positions and technical roles has slightly decreased since the previous report.

Political Empowerment:

India has shown improvement in political empowerment, with a parity score of 25.3%. Women now represent 15.1% of parliamentarians, which is the highest since the inception of the report in 2006. However, this still indicates a significant gender gap in political representation, as women constitute only a small fraction of elected officials.

Health and Survival:

India’s progress in health and survival is notable, with a 1.9 percentage point improvement in the sex ratio at birth. This positive change has contributed to an overall increase in gender parity after a decade of slow progress in this area. However, further efforts are required to address the remaining challenges and ensure the well-being of women.

Key Areas of Concern:
  1. Political Participation: While India has seen improvement in political empowerment, the representation of women in parliament remains low at 15.1%. Efforts should be made to increase women’s political participation at all levels, building on the success achieved in local governance.
  2. Health and Survival: Although progress has been made, there are still concerns regarding women’s health and survival. The report emphasizes the need for sustained efforts to improve healthcare access and reduce gender disparities in this area.
  3. Unpaid Work: Women’s participation in paid work is hindered by the burden of unpaid work they carry out at home. Addressing this issue is crucial to empower women economically and ensure their overall well-being.
  4. Workforce Participation: Globally, women’s labor force participation has declined, and disparities between women and men in economic opportunities persist. Efforts should be made to promote gender equality in the workforce and reduce the underrepresentation of women in STEM fields.
  5. Digital Divide: The report highlights the persistent digital divide between men and women, limiting equal opportunities and access to online platforms. Bridging this divide is essential to ensure gender parity in the digital age.
Impact of the Pandemic:

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected women, with a decline in their labor force participation and household incomes. The pandemic has also highlighted the challenges women face due to patriarchal norms and safety concerns. It is imperative to address these issues and provide support to women during and after crises.

Why In News

India has made remarkable progress in the pursuit of gender equality, as reflected in its impressive jump of eight places in the latest edition of the annual Gender Gap Report, 2023. With its current ranking at 127 out of 146 countries, India has demonstrated significant strides towards achieving gender parity, elevating its position by 10 spots compared to the previous year.

MCQs about Global Gender Gap Index Report 2023

  1. What is India’s rank in the Global Gender Gap Index Report 2023?
    A. 127
    B. 135
    C. 146
    D. 156
    Correct Answer: A. 127
    Explanation: India’s rank in the Global Gender Gap Index Report 2023 is 127.
  2. Which dimension of gender parity shows the highest improvement in India?
    A. Economic Participation and Opportunity
    B. Educational Attainment
    C. Health and Survival
    D. Political Empowerment
    Correct Answer: D. Political Empowerment
    Explanation: India has shown the highest improvement in the dimension of Political Empowerment, with women representing 15.1% of parliamentarians, the highest since the inaugural report in 2006.
  3. What is one of the challenges India faces in achieving gender parity in the workforce?
    A. Lack of access to education
    B. Gender pay gap
    C. High representation of women in senior positions
    D. Gender parity in wages and income
    Correct Answer: B. Gender pay gap
    Explanation: One of the challenges India faces in achieving gender parity in the workforce is the gender pay gap. Although wage and income parity have improved, representation of women in senior positions and technical roles has slightly decreased.
  4. What is one of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on women’s participation?
    A. Increase in women’s labor force participation
    B. Equal distribution of unpaid work at home
    C. Reduction in household incomes
    D. Elimination of gender disparities in healthcare
    Correct Answer: C. Reduction in household incomes
    Explanation: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a reduction in women’s labor force participation, leading to decreased household incomes.

Boost up your confidence by appearing our Weekly Current Affairs Multiple Choice Questions

Loading