The Gender Snapshot 2025

The UN Gender Snapshot 2025 highlights alarming trends and the urgent need for targeted action to ensure gender equality worldwide. The report warns that over 351 million women and girls could remain in extreme poverty by 2030 without immediate intervention.

Global Gender Equality Status: Key Findings

1. Freedom from Poverty:

   • Women continue to face lower-paying jobs, higher poverty rates, lack of protection, and heavy unpaid care responsibilities.

   • 52 million women and girls could escape extreme poverty by 2030 with adequate measures like equality in social security, healthcare, and education.

2. Zero Violence:

   • 12.5% of women globally experience violence, with conflict-hit nations seeing higher rates.

   • Although many countries have laws against gender-based violence, weak enforcement limits their effectiveness.

   • Key Solutions: Strengthening survivor support, increasing economic empowerment for women, and enforcing laws.

3. Full and Equal Decision-Making Power:

   • Women hold just 27% of parliamentary seats, and few top leadership roles.

   • Barriers: Glass ceilings, lack of quotas, and insufficient reforms to ensure gender parity in decision-making positions.

4. Peace and Security:

   • Women and children are the most affected in conflicts, and they remain underrepresented in peace processes.

   • Only 55% of 113 national action plans ensure women’s participation in peace-building efforts.

5. Climate Justice:

   • Climate change disproportionately impacts women, especially in low-income and conflict-affected regions.

   • Only 39% of countries have integrated gender concerns into their climate policies.

   • By 2050, climate change may push 158 million women into extreme poverty.

   • Recommendation: Inclusive decision-making and empowering women in climate leadership.

India-Specific Dimensions of Gender Equality

1. Female Labor Force Participation Rate (FLFPR):

   • 37% of women participate in the labor force (ILO 2023), which is among the lowest in South Asia.

2. Political Representation:

   • Women hold around 15% of seats in the Lok Sabha (India's lower house), but the Women’s Reservation Act 2023 promises 33% representation.

3. Education:

   • India has achieved gender parity in school enrollment, but dropout rates for girls increase at the secondary level, mainly due to early marriage, safety concerns, and social norms.

4. Digital Divide:

   • 33% of women use the internet, compared to 57% of men, indicating a significant gender digital divide (NFHS-5).

5. Crimes Against Women:

   • In 2023, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reported approximately 4.48 lakh cases of crimes against women, a slight increase from the previous year.

Gender Equality Under the Indian Constitution

1. Preamble:

   • Guarantees social, economic, and political justice, and equality of status and opportunity for all citizens.

2. Article 14:

   • Ensures equality before the law, promoting gender equality in all state actions.

3. Article 15(1):

   • Prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex.

4. Article 15(3):

   • Allows affirmative action for the protection and promotion of the rights of women and children.

5. Article 16:

   • Ensures equal opportunities in public employment, irrespective of gender.

6. Article 23:

   • Prohibits human trafficking and forced labor, both of which disproportionately affect women and girls.

7. Article 39(a) & (d):

   • Guarantees equal pay for equal work and equal means of livelihood for both genders.

8. Article 42:

   • Advocates for just working conditions and maternity benefits.

9. Article 51A(e & f):

   • Calls on citizens to renounce derogatory practices against women and to promote respect for women’s dignity.

10. 73rd & 74th Constitutional Amendments (1992):

    • Provide 33% reservation of seats for women in local bodies, ensuring their participation in grassroots governance.

Global Efforts for Gender Equality

1. United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5:

   • Aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

2. Beijing Declaration+30 A:

   • Digital Inclusion: Bridging the gender digital divide.

   • Economic Security: Expanding social protection, healthcare, education, and care economy.

   • Safety & Justice: Ending gender-based violence through robust laws and support systems.

   • Leadership & Governance: Strengthening women’s roles in politics and decision-making.

   • Peace & Security: Fully financing the Women, Peace & Security agenda and ensuring women’s participation.

   • Climate Justice: Mainstreaming gender in climate policies and resource rights.

3. CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women):

   • Promotes legal reforms and protection against gender discrimination.

India's Initiatives Towards Gender Equality

1. Women in Science and Engineering-KIRAN (WISE KIRAN):

   • Supported nearly 1,962 women scientists from 2018 to 2023.

2. Kishori Shakti Yojna:

   • Aimed at improving nutrition, health, and self-development of girls aged 11-18 years.

3. Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojna:

   • Provides a cash incentive of Rs. 5,000 for pregnant women and lactating mothers.

4. State Resource Centre for Women:

   • Provides technical assistance for implementing women-centric programs and schemes.

5. Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017:

   • Provides 26 weeks of paid maternity leave for women in the private and public sectors.

6. Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023:

   • Seeks to reserve one-third of the seats for women in Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and Delhi Assembly.

UN Women

• UN Women is the UN entity dedicated to promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls worldwide.

• Established in 2010, it accelerates efforts to meet gender-related needs globally.

• Headquarters: New York.

The Status of Women in India: A Historical Overview and Current Challenges

India has a female population of 48.20% compared to 51.80% male population, making women an essential and equal part of the nation's demographic fabric. However, the status of women in India has undergone significant fluctuations through different historical periods, marked by both progress and setbacks.

Historical Context:

1. Ancient India:

   • In ancient India, particularly during the Vedic period, women enjoyed a relatively high status. They participated in religious, social, and educational activities.

   • Women Rishis (sages) like Gargi and Maitreyi were known for their intellectual contributions. Women could own property, receive an education, and hold social authority.

   • Practices like Sati, child marriage, and purdah (seclusion) were not yet widespread. These, however, came to dominate social life later, especially during the medieval period.

2. Medieval Period:

   • The medieval period saw a decline in the social status of women, largely due to the influence of external invasions, foreign rule, and the growing dominance of patriarchal practices.

   • Women were often confined to household duties and faced restrictions in education, social participation, and inheritance rights.

3. Colonial and Reform Movements:

   • During the British colonial rule, women’s conditions were marked by a mix of repression and reform. The colonial period brought with it harsh laws that confined women to subjugated roles.

   • However, social reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, and Swami Vivekananda played crucial roles in women’s rights movements.

   • The Brahmo Samaj and Arya Samaj supported women’s education and the abolition of Sati and child marriage.

   • The Indian independence movement saw active participation from women leaders such as Sarojini Naidu, Kamini Roy, and Subhadra Kumari Chauhan, marking a turning point in women’s political activism.

The condition of women in India has indeed been a deeply concerning issue throughout history. Despite significant strides in certain areas, the patriarchal system and gender inequality continue to affect women in many parts of the country. While women in India are often revered as mothers, daughters, and sisters, this respect has not always translated into empowerment or equal opportunities. Instead, the deeply ingrained patriarchal values have restricted their independence, autonomy, and safety at every stage of their lives, from birth to death.

Key Statistics:

• One in three women globally will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, often at the hands of an intimate partner.

• In India, 30% of women aged 15-49 have experienced physical violence since the age of 15, and 6% have experienced sexual violence at least once.

• 52% of married women in India have no say in their sexual relations, contraceptive use, or healthcare decisions.

• Globally, 750 million women and girls alive today were married before the age of 18, and 200 million have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM).

• 71% of human trafficking victims are women and girls, most of whom are sexually exploited.

Forms of Violence:

1. Domestic Violence:

Domestic violence, or intimate partner violence (IPV), is one of the most common forms of abuse women face. It can be physical, emotional, verbal, economic, or sexual, and often takes place within the confines of what should be a safe and supportive relationship. The prevalence of domestic violence remains alarmingly high in India, where many women suffer in silence due to societal pressures, family shame, and lack of support.

2. Female Feticide and Infanticide:

Female feticide, which is the abortion of a female fetus, and female infanticide, the killing of a female infant, are practices still observed in parts of India. The strong preference for male children, stemming from patriarchal norms that associate sons with security and daughters with financial burden, contributes to these practices. This cultural mindset leads to the death of millions of female children, depriving them of the right to life and equality.

3. Dowry Deaths:

The dowry system continues to be a significant source of violence for women in India. In cases where the dowry demands are unmet, or a woman’s family cannot provide the required sum, she may be harassed, tortured, and even killed by her husband and in-laws. This form of violence is tragically common, and many women are forced to endure abuse until they either die or commit suicide.

4. Honor Killings:

Honor killings are another brutal manifestation of patriarchal control over women’s lives. In many instances, women are murdered by their family members for actions perceived as dishonorable, such as choosing their own partner, having a relationship outside marriage, or even being a victim of rape. Khap panchayats (village councils) in India sometimes pass death sentences on women based on these narrow, archaic notions of family honor.

5. Sexual Violence:

Rape, molestation, and sexual assault are all-too-common occurrences in India. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reports that one woman is raped every 20 minutes in India. Marital rape is not even considered a criminal offense in India, putting many women at risk within their marriages. Sexual violence continues to be underreported due to social stigma, fear of further violence, and a lack of faith in the justice system.

6. Witchcraft Accusations:

Accusations of witchcraft against women, particularly poor, elderly, or widowed women, are still prevalent in some parts of India. These women, often from marginalized communities, are tortured, humiliated, and sometimes killed based on superstitions and unfounded accusations.

Cultural and Traditional Practices Perpetuating Violence:

1. Early and Forced Marriages:

Early marriage is a critical issue, especially for girls in rural areas. In many parts of India, young girls are married off before they are legally or emotionally ready. This practice exposes them to a lifetime of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. Girls in forced marriages also face denial of education and the opportunity to develop independent livelihoods.

2. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM):

While more common in parts of Africa and the Middle East, female genital mutilation is also practiced among certain communities in India. This procedure, which involves the partial or complete removal of the female genitalia, causes severe pain, long-term physical and psychological trauma, and an increased risk of childbirth complications.

3. Acid Attacks:

Acid attacks, often used as a form of punishment or revenge against women for rejecting marriage proposals or love advances, have emerged as a horrifying tool to disfigure and sometimes kill women. These attacks are often not only violent but also socially stigmatizing, as the survivors are left with lasting scars, both physical and emotional.

Factors Contributing to Violence Against Women in India:

1. Patriarchal Social Norms:

The deeply rooted patriarchal culture in India assigns women secondary status, viewing them as subservient to men in the family and society. This system encourages violence, as women are perceived as objects of ownership rather than independent individuals. When women challenge these norms, they often face violent retaliation.

2. Gender-based Discrimination:

Sexist attitudes and a male-dominated power structure in families and workplaces create an environment where violence against women is normalized or even justified. These views often shape public and legal responses to violence, leading to leniency or a lack of action against perpetrators.

3. Lack of Resources and Support Systems:

Despite the presence of laws like the Domestic Violence Act, Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act, and Vishakha Guidelines, the implementation is weak. Many women are unaware of their rights, and the lack of domestic violence shelters, legal aid, and police support makes it difficult for survivors to seek justice.

4. Economic Dependency:

Many women, particularly in rural areas, are financially dependent on their husbands or family members, which limits their ability to escape abusive situations. Lack of education, economic opportunities, and awareness of their legal rights keeps many women trapped in violent relationships.

5. Police and Judicial Failures:

The police and judiciary often fail to protect women or deliver swift justice. The slow judicial process, underreporting, and lack of sensitivity in law enforcement contribute to the continuation of violence against women. Many women face further humiliation and violence when trying to file complaints or seek help from the police.

The UN Gender Snapshot 2025 is a call to action for global and national stakeholders to address the challenges women face, including poverty, violence, underrepresentation, and climate injustice, and to move towards a more equitable and just society for women and girls