Gender inequality, a deeply entrenched societal issue, manifests in various forms across India, hindering the nation's progress and violating fundamental rights. This issue stems from a complex interplay of socio-cultural, economic, and institutional factors, necessitating a multi-pronged approach to address it.

Socio-Cultural Barriers

Patriarchal norms, often rooted in religious and cultural traditions, significantly contribute to gender inequality. These norms dictate rigid gender roles, limiting women's access to education, employment, and leadership positions. According to Aristotle's virtue ethics, fostering virtues like fairness and justice is crucial for social harmony.

• Deep-rooted patriarchal mindset: Preference for sons over daughters often leads to female infanticide and neglect of girl children.
  • Example: The skewed sex ratio in certain states like Haryana reflects this bias.
• Social conditioning: Girls are often conditioned to prioritize domestic duties over personal aspirations.
  • Example: The lower enrollment of girls in higher education compared to boys demonstrates this conditioning.
• Religious interpretations: Certain religious interpretations are used to justify discriminatory practices against women.
  • Example: The Sabarimala temple entry issue highlighted the clash between tradition and gender equality.

Economic Disparity

Economic disparities further exacerbate gender inequality. Women often face unequal pay, limited access to financial resources, and occupational segregation. Amartya Sen's capability approach emphasizes the importance of economic empowerment for overall well-being.

• Wage gap: Women are often paid less than men for the same work.
  • Example: The Monster Salary Index 2022 revealed a significant gender pay gap across various sectors in India.
• Limited access to credit: Women face difficulties in accessing loans and other financial services.
  • Example: The lack of collateral often restricts women entrepreneurs from securing funding.
• Occupational segregation: Women are often concentrated in low-paying and informal jobs.
  • Example: The majority of domestic workers and agricultural laborers in India are women.

Savitribai Phule's pioneering work in the 19th century laid the foundation for challenging these inequalities. Her establishment of India's first girls' school in 1848, along with her husband Jyotirao Phule, was a revolutionary act. She challenged Brahmanical patriarchy and championed widow remarriage, embodying Kant's categorical imperative to treat individuals as ends in themselves. Her legacy continues to inspire social reformers and activists working towards gender equality.

Addressing gender inequality requires a comprehensive strategy that includes promoting education, economic empowerment, legal reforms, and changing social attitudes. Empowering women is not just a matter of fairness but also essential for India's overall development and progress.