India - Human Rights (Gender Inequality)

• In 2023, the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Index ranks India 127th out of 146 countries. This is with an index value of 0.643.
• In 2023, the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Index ranks India 142 out of 146 countries for health and survival.
• According to UNICEF, 52% of women in India think it justifiable for a man to beat his wife.
• In 2023, the Global Slavery Index estimated that 11 million people in India were in slavery, the majority women. This includes trafficking for sexual exploitation, early forced marriage and forced labour.
• Which organisation works in India to reduce slavery?

  Free the Slaves (FTS)
• In India, women have very few rights in ownership of land and property.
• Around 95% of girls in India attend primary schools. However, this decreases as they grow up.
• In 2022, India experienced around 6,500 dowry related deaths.
• Women can be subject to honour killing by their family members for not agreeing to arranged marriages or for not conforming with other gender norms.
• At national and state level, the Indian government has passed many Acts of Parliament designed to address women's rights. For example;

  • The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.
  • The Dowry Prohibition Act, 2008.
  • Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.
  • Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act and Rules, 2013.
• Many would argue that in India, long-term shifting of norms and effective application of the law requires a more practical, 'on the ground' approach:

  • In 2014 the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs launched an anti-trafficking portal. This involves an expansion of anti-trafficking police units, specific training of police units and more accurate reporting of crime.
  • Some large companies are beginning to provide childcare support.
  • In 2014, the Delhi police increased the number of women police.