Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality

Crime against women remains a significant concern, with substantial variations across states. Assam reports the highest rate of crimes against women (177.8 per 100,000 female population), followed by Delhi (144) and Lakshadweep (115.2). In contrast, Nagaland reports the lowest rate (4.1), followed by Tamil Nadu (15.6) and Puducherry (12.1). These disparities highlight the need for targeted interventions in high-crime areas and potential learning from low-crime regions.

The sex ratio at birth, an crucial indicator of gender equality, shows concerning trends in some states. Haryana (843), Delhi (844), and Uttarakhand (840) have particularly low ratios, indicating a preference for male children. In contrast, Chhattisgarh (958) and Kerala (957) show more balanced ratios, approaching the natural biological ratio.

Wage disparities persist across India, with the ratio of female to male average wage among regular wage or salaried employees ranging from 0.5 to 1. States like Chandigarh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep show parity (1.0), while others like Assam and West Bengal lag behind (0.5), indicating significant wage gaps.

Domestic violence remains a pressing issue. States like Assam (70.7 per lakh women) and Telangana (46.1) report high rates of women experiencing cruelty or physical violence by husbands or relatives. Conversely, several states report very low rates, which could either indicate better conditions or potential underreporting.

Political representation of women varies widely. West Bengal leads with 13.6% of elected women in the state legislative assembly, while some states like Mizoram and Nagaland report no female representation. This underscores the need for greater efforts to increase women’s participation in politics.

The ratio of female to male Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) in the 15-59 age group shows significant disparities. Himachal Pradesh and Meghalaya lead with 0.8 and 0.7 respectively, while states like Bihar (0.1) and Uttar Pradesh (0.2) lag far behind, indicating substantial barriers to women’s economic participation in these regions.

Women’s representation in managerial positions, including board memberships in listed companies, varies greatly. Puducherry stands out with 615 women per 1,000 persons in such positions, while many states report figures below 200, highlighting the need for more women in leadership roles.

Family planning adoption among currently married women shows promising trends in some states, with Andhra Pradesh (93.6%) and Telangana (88.2%) leading. However, states like Manipur (23.6%) and Andaman & Nicobar Islands (73%) show lower adoption rates, indicating areas for improvement in reproductive health services and awareness.

The data on female-operated landholdings reveals significant disparities in women’s economic empowerment. Lakshadweep leads with 41% of operational landholdings being female-operated, while Punjab (1.5%) and Assam (1.7%) show very low percentages, highlighting the need for land reforms and policies to enhance women’s land ownership.

In conclusion, this data paints a complex picture of gender equality in India. While some states show progress in certain areas, others lag behind, and no state excels across all indicators. This underscores the need for nuanced, state-specific strategies to address gender inequality. Areas requiring particular attention include reducing violence against women, improving female labor force participation, enhancing political representation, and ensuring economic empowerment through land ownership and managerial positions. The data also highlights the importance of addressing cultural norms and practices that contribute to gender imbalances, particularly in states with skewed sex ratios at birth. Achieving SDG 5 will require concerted efforts across all these dimensions, with targeted interventions based on each state’s specific challenges and strengths.