Understanding Gender in India: Insights from the 2024 "Women and Men" Report for Social Work Students

As future social workers, understanding the situation of women and men in India is crucial for your practice. Data helps us see where progress is happening and where challenges remain in achieving gender equality.

Recently, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released its 26th report called "Women and Menin India 2024: Selected Indicators and Data". This report gives a broad look at gender statistics across India, using official data. It looks at key areas like education, work, health, and decision-making, comparing women and men in both urban and rural areas.  

This report is a valuable tool for anyone working towards a fairer society, including social workers. Let's break down some key findings:  

1. Education: What is GPI? The Gender Parity Index (GPI) helps us see if girls and boys have equal access to education. A GPI of 1 means perfect parity.

• Findings: The report shows that India has consistently high GPI (meaning good female enrolment) at the primary (Class I-V) and higher secondary (Class XI-XII) levels between 2020-21 and 2023-24. Although there were some ups and downs, upper primary (VI-VIII) and elementary (I-VIII) levels also stayed close to parity. (See Image 1 for details ).  

2. Work and the Economy:

• What is LFPR? The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) tells us the percentage of people (aged 15 and above) who are either working or actively looking for work.
• Findings: The overall LFPR for people aged 15+ has improved, going from 49.8% in 2017-18 to 60.1% in 2023-24.

However, there's a significant difference between men and women. While male LFPR (total) was 78.8% in 2023-24, the total female LFPR was much lower at 41.7%, though it has increased from 23.3% in 2017-18. (See Image 2 for details ).  

• Financial Inclusion:
• Bank Accounts: Women own nearly 40% of all bank accounts (39.2%) and hold about 40% of total deposits (39.7%). Their highest participation is in rural areas (42.2% of account holders).  
• DEMAT Accounts (Stock Market): More people are opening DEMAT accounts to invest. While the total number grew significantly (from 33 million in 2021 to 143 million in Nov 2024), men still hold many more accounts than women. However, the number of female account holders is also growing, increasing from 6.67 million in 2021 to 27.71 million in Nov 2024. (See Image 3 for details ).  
• Women in Business:
• There's a positive trend of more businesses (in manufacturing, trade, and services) being headed by women between 2021-22 and 2023-24. (See Image 4 for details ).  
• The number of government-recognized startups with at least one female director has also increased greatly, from 1,943 in 2017 to 17,405 in 2024.  

3. Political Voice: Women Voters

• Voting Trends: While the total number of voters has increased massively since 1952, female voter turnout was slightly higher than male turnout in the 2024 elections (65.8% female vs. slightly lower for males), even though it dipped slightly from 67.2% in 2019. The gap between male and female voting rates has narrowed significantly, showing increased political participation by women.  

Why This Matters for Social Work Students:

• Understanding Needs: This data helps you understand the specific challenges and opportunities faced by women and men in different areas (urban/rural) and sectors (education, work).  
• Identifying Gaps: Statistics highlight areas like the gender gap in labour force participation or financial markets, where social work intervention and advocacy might be needed.  
• Empowerment: Knowing about trends like increased female entrepreneurship or political participation can help in designing programs that support and empower women.  
• Policy Advocacy: This data provides evidence to support policies that promote gender equality and inclusive development.  

The "Women and Men in India 2024" report offers valuable insights into the progress and persistent gaps in gender equality across India. For social work students, understanding these statistics is essential for effective practice, advocacy, and contributing to a more just and equitable society. You can find the full report on the MoSPI website