A multi-dimensional analysis on the persistence of gender stratification and inequality in South Asia

Abstract

Gender equality and gender equity are emerging as major challenges in the global development debate. Social scientists and development activists are giving increasing emphasis to these fields in their agenda for research and development. In all South Asian countries, patriarchal values and social norms keep gender inequalities alive. Women as a category and South Asia as a region for analysis brings up the issue of heterogeneity vs. homogeneity. South Asian women and the persistence of gender stratification and diversity are being analyzed here to highlight the similarities in the conditions faced by women stemming from class, religion, culture and locality. This analysis is undertaken on the basis of a select set of human development indicators with reference to the Human Development Reports regarding the status of women. Sustainable human development implies engendering the development paradigm. The issues considered here to highlight the gender inequalities that constrain women from their legitimate claims to participate in and benefit from development in South Asian countries are limited by the availability of data, quantifiability and comparability across countries.