India - Women's Rights

Question 1

Why is India significant in today’s economy?

Answer 1

It is one of the world’s fastest growing economies

Question 2

What was India’s GDP per capita in 2014? How much had this increased since 2008?

Answer 2

US$1165, a 75% increase from 2008

Question 3

Where is India ranked on the WEF Global Gender Pay Gap Index?

Answer 3

114th out of 142 countries

Question 4

Where is India ranked on the UN’s Gender Inequality Index?

Answer 4

135th out of 187 countries

Question 5

Outline the significance of violence against women in gender inequality issues in India.

Answer 5

UNICEF found 52% of women believe domestic abuse is justifiable and is tolerated by society and state, increased dowery killings, patriarchal practices, increased rape and violence against women outside of the home

Question 6

How does modern slavery relate to women’s rights?

Answer 6

2014 - est 14.3 million people enslaved most of which are women/girls

Question 7

Give three examples of what women and girls can be subjected to if they are enslaved.

Answer 7

Sexual exploitation, early forced marriage, forced labour

Question 8

How does property demonstrate issues with women’s rights in India?

Answer 8

Women have very few rights of ownership of land and property, inheritance practices are patriarchal

Question 9

What is the impact of employment opportunity on women?

Answer 9

Lack of access to jobs forces women into domestic sphere: looking after children, chores, subsistence farming; are economically dependent on male family members

Question 10

How does pregnancy and motherhood impact a woman’s career in India?

Answer 10

Most employers deny paid maternity leave, many do not return to work after giving birth

Question 11

Approximately how many women return to their job after giving birth in Delhi?

Answer 11

25%, including those who can afford childcare

Question 12

How is gender inequality perpetuated in the Indian government?

Answer 12

Lack of representation at national, provincial and local scale

Question 13

What proportion of the Low Sabha and Rajya Sabha is comprised of women?

Answer 13

Low Sabha - 11%

Rajya Sabha - 10.6%

Question 14

What proportion of girls attend primary school?

Answer 14

70%

Question 15

Is the uptake of secondary education similar to the uptake of primary education for girls? Why is this?

Answer 15

No - significantly fewer girls attend secondary school due to opposition from families and communities, and poverty

Question 16

How many dowery killings were committed in 2012 in India?

Answer 16

8,200

Question 17

Where are dowery killings most prevalent?

Answer 17

Uttar Pradesh and Orissa

Question 18

Where are dowery killings least prevalent?

Answer 18

In south and south-east regions eg Kerala

Question 19

What are honour killings?

Answer 19

Murders committed by family members if women refuse arranged marriages or if they fail to conform to societal expectations

Question 20

What was the infant mortality rate in 2014?

Answer 20

43.2 per 1000 live births

Question 21

What can contribute to the infant mortality rate in India?

Answer 21

Increased risk of domestic abuse, lack of education impacting nutrition, lack of access to healthcare

Question 22

What are two examples of medical intervention in perpetuating the patriarchal society?

Answer 22

Coercion into sterilisation schemes and sex-selective abortions

Question 23

Name three methods of changing norms regarding gender inequality.

Answer 23

Strengthening rule of law, treaties and NGOs

Question 24

Name two international human rights treaties.

Answer 24

The International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Question 25

What is meant by UDHR?

Answer 25

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Question 26

Give a named example of a UN Treaty Body that the Indian government has signed up to.

Answer 26

the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)

Question 27

What was the legislation that was introduced to protect children against early marriage? Which year was this introduced?

Answer 27

The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006

Question 28

What was the legislation that was introduced to protect women from dowery killings? Which year was this introduced?

Answer 28

The Dowery Prohibition Act, 2008

Question 29

What was the legislation that was introduced to protect women in the home? Which year was this introduced?

Answer 29

Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005

Question 30

What was the legislation that was introduced to protect women in the workplace? Which year was this introduced?

Answer 30

The Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act and Rules, 2013

Question 31

How is the Indian government attempting to combat trafficking issues?

Answer 31

The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs launched anti-trafficking portal focusing on specific training, more accurate reporting and victim support schemes

Question 32

What is one of the projects being initiated by NGOs?

Answer 32

‘Safe Cities’ project with UN Women and Indian gov, based in Delhi