COVID-19 Widens Global Gender Gap, India's Rank Falls to 140
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated gender inequality, with women's job loss rates 1.8 times higher than men globally. Meanwhile, India's gender gap rank has fallen to 140 due to a decline in political empowerment. Urgent action is needed to close the widening gender gap, which could add US$ 13 trillion to global GDP by 2030 if addressed promptly.
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is taking steps to strengthen women's role in the economy. It recognises women who have achieved success amidst adversity with the Women Exemplar Award and contributes to relief and rehabilitation efforts. CII also conducts research studies and provides policy suggestions to empower women, such as creating opportunities in underrepresented sectors and expanding education for women.
Globally, gender inequality remains a significant challenge. Women account for around 39% of the global labour force, with the largest gap in political empowerment, closed by only 22%. The World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2021 estimates it will now take more than 135 years to close the gender gap worldwide. The research study 'Declining Female Labour Force Participation in India: Concerns, Causes and Policy Actions' by the International Labour Organization (ILO) highlights the need for targeted policy actions to reverse this trend.
With women's employment disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and India's gender gap rank declining, urgent action is needed from global policymakers to empower women and close the widening gender gap. Advancing gender equality could significantly boost global GDP, making it a pressing economic and social imperative.
