Women are known to be the strong pillars of society. Still, India has witnessed gender inequality for many centuries. Things have changed drastically over some time. Society has embraced that change, but evidence shows that closing gender gaps could boost GDP per capita by 20 per cent. Investing in women accelerates economic growth and provides a better-educated society for the future generation. Spending on care services and providing job opportunities is believed to create almost 300 million jobs by 2035. They not only should be made financially independent but should also participate in economic decision-making. Women have contributed significantly to modern Indian society in various fields, including politics, education, business, social services, arts and culture, sports, aerospace, journalism and media, and science and technology. To build a stronger society, it’s essential to enable women to explore opportunities and promote equal rights and status through empowerment. Investing in girl child’s education, educating about women’s health, supporting women in leadership positions, protecting the legal rights of women, eliminating violence against women and encouraging them to break the glass ceiling would pave a path for not only economic but long-term sustainable growth for the future generation.
Views expressed by Sakina Qasim Zaidi, VP Academics, Orchids The International School
