Gender Inequality In India – Understanding the Root Causes & How It Affects Children

Summary

Gender inequality in India stems from poverty, child marriage, lack of education, poor healthcare, and patriarchal norms. These causes of gender inequality intensify gender issues in India, limiting girls’ access to education, healthcare, and leadership roles. CRY works to empower girls by promoting education, raising awareness, and ensuring equal opportunities for a brighter future.

What Is Gender Inequality?

Gender inequality is the unequal treatment or perception of people because of their gender. This inequality usually results from societal norms and deeply ingrained prejudices, in which one gender is held above the other, most frequently, discrimination against women and girls.

Examples of gender inequality:
1. Girls being excluded from education
2. Unequal pay for a man and a woman performing the same work
3. Fewer women in leadership positions in politics or business

Gender inequality is not only a women's problem; it impacts children, families, and communities by depriving equal opportunities and basic rights.

Causes of Gender Inequality in India 

Undoubtedly, gender discrimination in the society is a grave concern, and a host of personal, societal and cultural aspects are at the core of this development. Our Experts have found several causes of gender inequality in India and some of them are discussed here. 

1. Poverty

Poverty stands as one of the primary drivers of gender inequalities. According to the World Bank, approximately 70% of the world's impoverished population is female. Poverty restricts access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, thereby reinforcing a vicious cycle.

2. Child Marriage

Child marriage is another alarming aspect of gender inequality, disproportionately affecting girls. UNICEF estimates that 12 million girls are married before the age of 18 every year. Such practices hinder their personal development and perpetuate gender disparity across generations.

Lack of education is one of the key causes of gender inequality that significantly exacerbates the problem. UNESCO reports that 132 million girls are out of school globally, with less access to learning opportunities than boys. Right to education is crucial in empowering girls to make informed choices, pursue careers, and challenge societal norms.

3. Poor Medical Health

Poor medical health also plays a pivotal role in maintaining gender discrimination in the society. In regions with inadequate healthcare facilities, girls face higher maternal mortality rates, limited access to family planning, and health-related biases.

4. Lack of Awareness & Patriarchal Norms

Lack of awareness and ingrained patriarchal norms further contribute to gender inequality. When societies perpetuate gender stereotypes and discrimination, it becomes challenging to break free from the shackles of inequality.

Patriarchal norms hold back many girls from striving for their dreams by receiving a quality education, medical facilities and overall awareness for their well-being.

To address gender inequality effectively, we must tackle these interconnected causes of gender inequality and work towards establishing sustainable change patterns that will successfully eradicate this vicious cycle of gender inequality.

Also Read: Gender Inequality in Education in India

Gender Inequality vs. Gender Discrimination

Although the terms are used interchangeably most of the time, there is a difference between gender discrimination and gender inequality.

Gender Inequality
A systematic imbalance of rights, duties, or chances based on gender - Fewer women in authority

Gender Discrimination
A particular act of gender-based unfair treatment - A female student denied admission to school simply because she's a girl.

Briefly, gender discrimination is a decision or behavior, whereas gender inequality is the broader social situation that permits such behaviors to perpetuate.

Solutions To Avoid Gender Inequality in India

Raising awareness about child rights and gender biases is the stepping stone to challenge societal norms. Providing equal opportunities in education, employment, and leadership roles has the ultimate potential to empower underprivileged and socially-suppressed girl children to thrive in all aspects of their lives. Promoting girl education is vital for breaking the cycle of gender disparity. Additionally, stringent child protection measures must be enforced to combat discrimination and violence against girls. 

How CRY India is Working To Bring Change?

We, at CRY, have been working towards bridging the gap and ensuring that young girls across India receive essential resources that help improve their mental, physical, and emotional development. Discrimination issues in India are deep-rooted and practiced for generations, and that is why it requires long-term intervention, which we have been providing to underserved communities across India.

CRY aims to create a world where the girl child is celebrated and has access to equal opportunities to study, grow, and prosper as her male counterpart. 

CRY’s efforts to bring about a change in this situation include:

• Children Education that helps create attitudinal shifts towards gender bias, and activities to spread awareness.
• Continuous efforts toward breaking myths and stereotypes around gender.
• Ensuring accountability of the State to implement various schemes, policies, laws, constitutional guarantees, and international commitments.
• Institutionalising gender-sensitive processes within various systems such as law and programs.
• Encouraging community ownership in preventing violations based on gender discrimination.

Be it education, health, protection, or participation, all girls deserve equal opportunities and an empowering environment to thrive. You can help CRY reach out to more girls and help make a difference in their lives to ensure they lead happier and healthier childhoods. Donate now to help promote the rights of young girls and address gender inequality in India.

Frequently Asked Questions