Gender equity in education

Indian Economy glossary

Topic: Human Capital: Education, Health and Demographic Dividend · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 4 "Human Capital Formation in India"

Meaning

Gender equity in education means girls and women get the same chance as boys and men to go to school, stay there and learn. Progress is usually tracked by the gap between male and female literacy. Women's education matters for three reasons:

  • It raises women's economic independence and social status.
  • It lowers fertility, meaning the number of children per woman.
  • It improves the health care of women and children.

Example

The gender gap in adult literacy in India narrowed from 24 percentage points in 1990 (61.9% male, 37.9% female) to 16 points in 2017-18 (82% male, 66% female). Since 2011, the primary completion rate for girls has been higher than for boys. NCERT still warns that there are "miles to go" before 100% adult literacy.

Don't confuse with

  • Gender equality in enrolment: equal numbers of boys and girls in school is only one part. Equity also covers staying in school, completing it and learning.

Related concepts

Read more