Gender Disparity Trends In North Eastern States Of India

Abstract

Gender disparity, which reflects the status of women in various economic sectors, has a detrimental impact on economic growth and overall societal wellbeing. Preventing women from engaging in social, political, and economic activities can negatively affect society as a whole. To promote gender equality, the government has played a significant role in advancing education, health, and empowerment for women. Despite development initiatives and constitutional guarantees, women have lagged behind men in many sectors, with persistent gaps and inconsistencies in achieving equality. This study examines the trends and patterns of gender disparity in North Eastern India using indicators such as sex ratio, literacy rate, and work participation rate, based on Census data from 1981 to 2011. The findings reveal variations in the sex ratio among the eight states of North Eastern India, with an increasing trend observed in Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland, and fluctuations in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, and Sikkim. The study also highlights gender disparities in literacy and work participation rates. While these rates are gradually rising for both males and females, a gender gap persists, with higher rates observed for males across all four decades. The study's outcomes will aid decision-makers in formulating and amending policies to address these disparities.