Gender Bias: Has the Global Mindset Really Changed?

“I measure the progress of a community with the degree of progress women have achieved.”
— Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

Gender inequality, characterized by unfair and biased treatment based on gender, has its roots deeply embedded in socially constructed roles. Societal norms often dictate that specific professions or jobs are best suited for one gender over another. Traditionally, men are seen as more suited for roles in finance, engineering, medicine, and sports, while women are relegated to domestic responsibilities such as caring for the household and children. When women do step outside the home to work, they are frequently encouraged to pursue careers that require less education and innovation. Such gender-based preferences are detrimental not only to social order but also to the broader evolution of humanity.

The struggle for female emancipation is historically profound. In the 18th century, women lived under male dominance, often confined to roles as uneducated homemakers. It was not until the late 1700s that significant advocacy for equal rights began, a struggle mirrored in Samuel Johnson’s 1755 dictionary, which contained several sexist definitions. The journey toward women’s empowerment has been long and arduous, marked by various movements and revolutions driven by courage and determination. Gaining voting rights significantly lifted the position of women in society. Many suffrage movements campaigned daily in support of women's voting rights. In the US, individuals like Elizabeth Stanton and organisations like National American Woman Suffrage Association, National Woman’s Party played a key role in securing the voting rights for women However there are several countries like Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain granted women the right to vote after the second half of the 20th century.

In ancient India, where goddesses were revered and women were honored as sahadharmini—equal partners—the arrival of patriarchal norms from the Middle East and Britain gradually eroded their status and respect coupled with already exising social evils like Sati Pratha, female foeticide, child marriage and dowry system.

However, with changing times, Indian women have achieved remarkable milestones. Trailblazers such as Savitribai Phule, Kalpana Chawla, and Indira Gandhi have exemplified women's transformative power over centuries. It has been a long journey from the country witnessing its first female Prime Minister and President to not just seeing one again but one belonging to a tribal community. The country has been blessed with talented women scientists like A. Chatterjee or B Vijayalakshmi. Women in India have not just entered but excelled in the combat forces etching their names in history. Very recently Major Radhika Sen of the Indian army was the second Indian peacekeeper to receive the Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award by the UN. Before Ms Sen, Major Suman Gawani was recognised for her service with the UN Mission in South Sudan in 2019.

Today, figures like Indra Nooyi have shattered glass ceilings in business, while athletes such as PV Sindhu and Mary Kom have achieved international acclaim. Leaders like Nirmala Sitharaman and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw have made significant strides in politics and biotechnology, demonstrating the diverse accomplishments of Indian women.

Despite these advances, significant challenges persist. Cultural issues such as gender-biased sex selection and son preference have led to skewed sex ratios in India and neighbouring countries. Although laws guarantee equal inheritance rights, only about 20% of women own land or property in India. Economically, despite the 1995 UN World Conference on Women outlining key areas for economic participation, significant gender pay gaps remain. Women often face discrimination in hiring, promotions, and wages, with India ranking 129th on the Global Gender Gap Index 2024 and closing only 64.3% of the gender gap. Socially, high rates of violence against women, including domestic violence and sexual harassment, restrict their freedom and societal participation.

Today, more than ever, women are enjoying freedom. However, there is a long way to go. There is a bittersweet contrast prevalent in India and globally. 2019 saw the highest number of women MPs (78) entering the 17th Lok Sabha while Assam recently started offering 1,000-2,500 per month just to keep girls in school and out of wedlock. Half of the 10,500 olympians are women in the Paris Olympics 2024 but we still have examples of countries like Iraq which proposed a law to lower marriage age for girls from 18 to 9. We have women excelling in the field of politics world over at the moment and prime examples are Kamala Harris, MichelleObama, AngelaMerkel, Giorgia Meloni, Jacinda Ardern just to name a few. We can only hope that a wider representation in politics to women specially to women of colour paints a better picture for tomorrow.

Global efforts to advance women’s rights have been substantial. Key conferences, such as the 1920 International Congress of Women and the UN’s pivotal conferences from the 1980s and 1990s, have driven progress. Initiatives like the HeForShe Campaign and the Women’s Economic Empowerment Global Initiative promote gender equality through entrepreneurship and financial literacy. The Global Fund for Women supports grassroots leadership, and the G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council develops strategies for advancing women's rights. In India, the National Policy for Women 2016 addresses safety, economic independence, and educational access, reflecting a commitment to gender equality.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development sets ambitious targets to eliminate barriers and ensure full societal and economic participation for women. Major challenges include low female representation in leadership, widespread poverty affecting millions of women, significant workplace discrimination, imbalanced unpaid care work, and inadequate access to education and healthcare. Food insecurity, pervasive violence, and insufficient funding for gender initiatives also complicate progress. Legal barriers and lack of clean energy access further hinder advancement. Coordinated and urgent action is needed to transform these challenges into opportunities for achieving true gender equality.

To truly empower women, transformative changes must occur on multiple levels. Legal reforms are essential to protect against violence and ensure equal pay, while expanding access to education and skill development, especially in leadership and STEM fields, is crucial. Economic empowerment requires support for female entrepreneurship, equitable job opportunities, and financial access. Enhanced healthcare, including reproductive services, and increased political representation through quotas and mentorship are also vital. Equally important are shifts in attitudes and psychological frameworks—challenging societal norms and stereotypes that perpetuate inequality. Building supportive systems such as affordable childcare and flexible work options is necessary, but fostering a culture of respect and equality will drive lasting impact. Global cooperation and the sharing of best practices will further amplify these efforts, creating a more just and equitable world where women can truly thrive and lead.

Gender equality, while fundamentally a human right, is also crucial for achieving peaceful societies, realizing full human potential, and promoting sustainable development. The progress of mankind relies on the collective strides of all its members, and discrimination—whether unjust or unfounded—marks a regression in our shared intellectual ascent.

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