Women’s Rights in India: Achievements, Challenges, and the Road Ahead

Context

• The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995) remains a landmark global framework for advancing gender equality.
• It identified 12 critical areas, including education, healthcare, economic empowerment, and political participation.
• Over the last three decades, India has made significant strides in women's empowerment through government policies, legal reforms, and social movements.
• However, gender-based violence, workplace discrimination, and leadership gaps remain pressing challenges.
• As India approaches 30 years since the Beijing Declaration, it is crucial to assess the progress made and the way forward.

India’s Achievements in Advancing Women’s Rights

Health and Maternal Care

• Maternal mortality rate (MMR) reduced from 130 (2014) to 97 (2020) per 100,000 births.
• Institutional deliveries increased to 95% due to schemes like Janani Suraksha Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana.
• Contraceptive use among married women rose to 56.5%, improving reproductive health choices.
• Ayushman Bharat PMJAY has provided millions of women with free healthcare access.

Education and Economic Empowerment

• Female literacy rate has improved to 70.3% (2023).
• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) has helped improve the child sex ratio and girl enrolment rates.
• National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 promotes STEM education for women.
• 1.5 crore women entrepreneurs have benefited from MUDRA loans.
• 100 million women integrated into formal banking under Jan Dhan Yojana.

Women in Leadership

• Women’s representation in Panchayati Raj: Over 1.5 million women leaders in local governance.
• The Women’s Reservation Bill (2023) mandates 33% seats for women in legislatures.
• GATI & G20 TechEquity Platforms promote women's participation in STEM fields.
• Women on company boards increased from 5% (2011) to 18% (2023) due to SEBI’s mandate.

Gender-Based Violence: A Persistent Challenge

• 770 One Stop Centres (OSCs) provide medical, legal, and psychological support.
• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (2023) strengthens legal protections for women.
• Odisha’s blockchain-based grievance system ensures confidentiality and faster redressal.
• Workplace harassment and domestic violence remain underreported due to social stigma.

Challenges in Workforce Participation and Leadership

Economic Barriers

• Women’s labor force participation rate is 32.8% (2023), lower than global averages.
• ‘Broken rung’ phenomenon restricts women from advancing to managerial roles.
• Gender pay gap: Women earn 30% less than men for the same work.

Workplace Bias and Stereotypes

• Women in leadership face double standards—assertive women are labeled as “too aggressive.”
• Motherhood penalty affects career progression, leading to promotion delays and pay gaps.

Legal Mandates and Corporate Diversity

• Companies Act (2013) mandates at least one female board member in public firms.
• SEBI regulation ensures at least one independent female director in top 1,000 listed firms.
• However, these remain compliance-driven, with limited efforts toward true inclusivity.

The Road Ahead

• Stronger legal enforcement for workplace rights and safety.
• Bridging gender pay gaps through targeted policies.
• Increasing women's participation in emerging fields like AI, cybersecurity, and finance.
• Shifting focus from token representation to genuine leadership roles.

Conclusion

India has made significant progress in gender equality, but challenges remain in workforce participation, leadership, and safety. Future efforts must focus on economic empowerment, legal reforms, and changing societal attitudes to ensure true gender justice.