Why In News?

India ranked 131st out of 145 countries in the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Gender Gap Report 2026.

What is the Global Gender Gap Index?

The Global Gender Gap Index is an annual benchmark published by the World Economic Forum (WEF) that measures gender parity across four key dimensions — Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health and Survival, and Political Empowerment. 

In the 2026 edition, the global gender gap stands 69.2% closed, meaning full parity is still 120 years away, with Iceland (93%) leading the world and India ranked 131st out of 145 countries with a 64.5% parity score. 

Global Gender Gap Index

Introduced by

World Economic Forum (WEF) in 2006

Purpose

To benchmark progress toward gender parity and identify gaps between men and women across economies.

Methodology

Measures parity on a 0–1 scale (or 0–100 %), where 1 = full parity. Based on 14 indicators grouped into 4 dimensions:  

  • Economic Participation & Opportunity   

  • Educational Attainment   

  • Health & Survival   

  • Political Empowerment.

Global Findings 

(2026)

- 69.2 % of the global gender gap closed (up 0.4 points from 2025). - Full parity ≈ 120 years away. - Top 3: Iceland (93 %), Finland (87.2 %), Norway (85.7 %). - Bottom 3: Chad, Iran, Pakistan.

India’s 

Performance 

(2026)

- Rank: 131 / 145 countries. - Overall parity score: 64.5 %. - Economic Participation: 41.2 %. - Educational Attainment: 96.6 %. - Health & Survival: 95.6 %. - Political Empowerment: 24.5 % (India ranked 67th in this sub‑index).

Progress 

Since 2006

India’s parity improved by +4.3 percentage points, mainly due to educational gains and higher representation of women in technical roles (from 26.6 % in 2006 to 49.9 % in 2026).

Global 

Implications

The report warns that no country has achieved full parity; sustained policy reforms, workplace equity, and inclusive education are essential to accelerate progress.

Indian Government Initiatives Supporting Gender Parity

  • Beti Bachao Beti Padhao: Focuses on eliminating female foeticide and securing secondary education retention across gender-critical districts.

  • Mission Shakti (Sambal & Samarthya): Integrated safety and economic empowerment mission providing One Stop Centres, Women Helplines, and Shakhi Niwas working women hostels.

  • Stand-Up India Scheme: Mandates bank branches to extend collateral-free greenfield enterprise loans between ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore to women entrepreneurs.

  • Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana: Small-deposit savings scheme promoting long-term financial security for the girl child with preferential interest rates and tax exemptions.

  • Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act 2017: Mandates 26 weeks of paid maternity leave and crèche facilities in commercial establishments with 50 or more employees.

  • Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (106th Constitutional Amendment Act): Enacts a 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, structurally enhancing legislative empowerment

Source: THEHINDU

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.  Examine the structural bottlenecks hindering female labour-force participation in India and suggest policy measures to leverage women-led development. (10 Marks, 150 Words)