Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong once said that women “hold up half the sky.” Despite being revered as symbols of power and resilience, women are often denied their fundamental rights and privileges. Gender equality is not only a basic human right but also a prerequisite for establishing a just and equitable society. Sustainable Development Goal 5 emphasizes the importance of achieving gender equality in all its forms, as societal progress is only possible when everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
However, despite global efforts, the journey to gender equality is still very far. Surprisingly, at the current rate, it will take an estimated 300 years to end child marriage, 286 years to close gaps in legal protection and remove discriminatory laws, 140 years for women to be represented equally in positions of power and leadership in the workplace, and 47 years to achieve equal representation in national parliaments. Bridging these gaps requires urgent and collective action from policymakers, civil society, and individuals.
Gender Disparity in India
In India, gender disparity is pervasive and affects women across social, economic, and political spheres. Women continue to face barriers that limit their participation in the mainstream. Political representation, for instance, remains glaringly insufficient. In the 2024 General Elections, only 74 women were elected to the Lok Sabha, constituting a mere 13.6% of the 543 members in the Lower House, despite women making up nearly half of the population.
India’s rank in global gender equality metrics paints a grim picture. The country ranked 127th out of 146 nations in the Global Gender Gap Report 2023. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the gender gap, as many women were forced to leave the workforce to assume care-giving responsibilities. This trend has further marginalized women and curtailed their economic participation and societal inclusion.
Gender Budgeting: A Step Towards Equality
Fiscal policies play a crucial role in reducing gender disparities and gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) has emerged as a key strategy in this regard. GRB involves allocating resources with a gender-sensitive lens which ensures that government policies and schemes promote equality and create a society where individuals are valued for their abilities, not their gender.
India introduced GRB in 2005-06, and since then, both central and many state governments have adopted gender considerations in budgetary processes. According to the Reserve Bank of India, the share of gender budgeting in total government expenditure increased to 6.8% in 2024, up from 4.5% in 2014. The budget is categorized into three parts:
- Part A: Schemes with 100% allocation for women.
- Part B: Schemes with at least 30% allocation for women.
- Part C: Introduced in 2024-25, this category includes schemes with a minimum of 30% allocation for women.
Challenges in Gender Budgeting
Although the government has allocated separate funds to address gender disparity, India still has a long journey ahead to achieve true gender equality. Several challenges need to be addressed to implement gender budgeting effectively.
One significant issue is the lack of reliable and comprehensive data on gender disparities, which hinders the formulation of effective policies and schemes. Additionally, the impact of existing policies is often not documented or evaluated thoroughly, making it difficult to measure their success or identify areas for improvement. Experts have emphasized the importance of redirecting funds toward skill-oriented and technology-enabled programs that empower women and foster economic independence. Investing in ministries responsible for skill enhancement, innovative practices, critical thinking, economic empowerment, and social inclusion is also essential to drive sustainable development (Desai & Shah, 2024).
Renowned Indian economist Ashok Kumar Lahiri has suggested that the focus of gender budgeting should shift from expenditure to outcomes. He advocates for rigorous ex-ante (pre-implementation) and ex-post (post-implementation) analyses to ensure that policies are designed and executed effectively. Regular evaluation and monitoring of schemes are crucial to achieving the desired results and closing the gender gap more efficiently.
The Role of NGOs in Bridging the Gap
Creating a gender-equal society requires the collective efforts of all stakeholders, including civil society and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). The Centre for Youth Development and Activities (CYDA), a youth-led organization, is at the forefront of addressing gender disparity. It aims to empower marginalized communities by providing opportunities for self-development and nation-building.
Its initiatives include offering soft skills and technical training to women from marginalized communities, enabling them to enter non-traditional livelihoods (NTLs). It has successfully placed more than 650 women in sectors such as security services, petrol stations, electrical work, plumbing, delivery services, and transportation—fields traditionally dominated by men.
Moreover, through its sister organization, Youth Aid Foundation, it has provided entrepreneurship development training to over 5,000 women. This training equips women to establish businesses in male-dominated sectors, breaking stereotypes and fostering economic independence.
Apart from this, it also conducts awareness campaigns in schools, colleges, and communities to challenge patriarchal norms and redefine gender roles. These campaigns highlight the societal constructs of gender and emphasize the need for equal opportunities. Furthermore, CYDA works closely with employers to create conducive work environments for women, addressing issues such as pay parity, workplace security, and flexible working hours.
United action to combat gender disparity
Achieving gender equality requires a multifaceted approach, combining policy reforms, societal change, and grassroots efforts. While gender budgeting is a step in the right direction, it must be accompanied by robust implementation, outcome-based evaluations, and greater investments in women’s empowerment programs. Civil society and NGOs play a pivotal role in challenging stereotypes and fostering an inclusive society where every individual can thrive, irrespective of gender.
I would like to end this article by leaving a question for you: At an individual level or at a community level, what are you doing as a member of society to create a gender-parity world?
(The article is contributed by Soumyashree Mohanty, Research Associate, CYDA)
References:
Desai, B., & Shah, S. (2024). Gender Budgeting and Macroeconomic Policy Making in India: A Critical Review. Bhavnagar University.
Lahiri, A. (2019, October 29). Fifteen years of gender budgeting in India: A Retrospective. Ideas for India (I4I). https://www.ideasforindia.in/topics/social-identity/fifteen-years-of-gender-budgeting-in-india-a-retrospective.html
