India’s rank in the Global Gender Gap Report 2025 highlights persistent gender inequality despite various reforms. Critically examine the structural and socio-economic barriers contributing to India’s poor performance and suggest measures. (15M)

The Global Gender Gap Report 2025, published by the World Economic Forum (WEF), ranks India 131 out of 148 countries, highlighting persistent gender inequality. While India has achieved near parity in Educational Attainment (97.1%), it lags in Economic Participation (40.7%), Health and Survival, and Political Empowerment.

Key WEF Findings:

• Economic Participation: Women earn less than a third of male income, and FLFPR is only 41.7% (PLFS 2023–24).
• Health: 57% of women aged 15–49 are anaemic (NFHS-5); life expectancy for women remains lower than men.
• Political Empowerment: Women’s representation in Parliament fell from 14.7% to 13.8%; ministerial roles declined to 5.6%.
• Regional Comparison: India ranks behind neighbours like Nepal (125) and Sri Lanka (130). Bangladesh (24th) leads in South Asia.

Structural Barriers:

1. Low Workforce Participation: Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) stands at just 41.7% (PLFS 2023–24). Women are overrepresented in informal and unpaid care roles, with 289 minutes/day spent on domestic work which is three times more than men.
2. Health Neglect: NFHS-5 highlights that 57% of women aged between 15–49 are anaemic. Life expectancy for women remains lower than men, reflecting persistent healthcare gaps.
3. Wage Inequality and Informal Work: Women earn just 73% of male wages, with even worse parity in sectors like tech (60%). The Economic Survey 2022–23 estimates unpaid care work by women at ₹22.7 lakh crore, about 7.5% of GDP, yet it’s excluded from official labour statistics.
4. Political Underrepresentation: Women’s representation in Parliament fell to 13.8%, and ministerial representation dropped to 5.6%, indicating weak political empowerment.
5. Demographic Pressures: By 2050, 20% of India’s population will be elderly, mostly women. A shrinking workforce and rising dependency burden necessitate inclusive gender policies.

Way Forward:

• Economic Inclusion: Mandate workplace crèches, flexible hours, and equal pay audits. Expand schemes like Stand-Up India and Mahila e-Haat for women entrepreneurs.
• Care Economy Infrastructure: Invest in child and elder care services. Learn from Uruguay’s national care policy and South Korea’s family support reforms.
• Gender-sensitive Budgeting: Recognise and quantify unpaid care work. Strengthen data collection and fund women’s health and nutrition schemes like PM Matru Vandana Yojana.
• Education and Retention: Strengthen sanitation, menstrual hygiene, and hostel facilities to reduce school dropouts, especially among adolescent girls.
• Political Empowerment: Ensure timely implementation of Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, reserving one-third of legislative seats for women.

Conclusion:

The Global Gender Gap Index is not merely a metric it reflects the untapped potential of half the population. Bridging the gender gap is also a $770 billion economic opportunity (McKinsey, 2015). Treating women as equal stakeholders is central to inclusive and sustainable growth.

‘+1’ Value addition:

• Only 17% of Chief-roles and 20% of board positions in corporate India are held by women.
• Nearly 40% of girls aged 15–18 are out of school, with 23 million dropping out due to menstruation-related stigma and lack of facilities.
• Female literacy stands at around 65% vs 82% for males (Census 2011), a 17%-point gap. 
• Female Labour Force Participation Rate is just 41.7% (PLFS 2023–24), with most women in informal and undervalued roles.

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/view-indias-gender-gap-report-ranking-as-a-warning/article69801562.ece

La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2025 preparation.

FOLLOW US ON:

◉ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam

◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS

◉ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/

GET IN TOUCH:

Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/

or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140

OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020

Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524,  Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081

Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040