South Asia’s Gender Divide: Structural and Social Barriers

Abstract

Gender inequality is deeply ingrained in the traditions and practices of South Asian countries, impacting every facet of women’s lives. This article, through the construction of the Gender Disparity Index from 2003 up to 2022, attempts to analyse the development gaps between males and females in health, education and labour market participation dimensions, thus indicating the extent of gender disparities existing in South Asia. The statistical results exhibit that gender disparities have declined over a period of time, and health has emerged as a prominent dimension in reducing these disparities. This article suggests that South Asian countries should strengthen their healthcare systems, especially in countries such as Afghanistan and Pakistan. Also, the countries should focus on bringing more females into the ambit of education, coupled with enhancing their opportunities to participate in the workforce. The road towards equality can be tread when the deep-rooted patriarchy gets challenged through a systematic approach and women become a part of the development process and economic growth.