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SOCIAL SERVICE Box No 4.13

Gender Inequality Index

Gender Inequality Index (GII) is a composite index prepared by the United Nations Development
Programme, showing inequality between men and women. The composite index is prepared
by taking three dimensions and five indicators. Reproductive health, Empowerment and
Labour market are the three dimensions and Adolescent fertility, Maternal mortality (measure
Reproductive health), Educational attainment (secondary level and above), Parliamentary
representation (measures Empowerment) and Labour force participation (measures
employability) are the five indicators. The value of GII ranges from 0 to 1. The value 0 indicates
that women and men are treated equally and 1 indicates that women are considered as poorly
as possible in all measured indicators.

4.202 Gender discrimination and inequality is an issue in almost all societies. It is a matter of serious
concern in India and Kerala is no exception. The 2014 Human Development Report categorises India
as a country with Medium Human Development. Its HDI Rank is 135. India’s performance in Gender
related Development Index (GDI) is not impressive. India is ranked 132 out of 187 countries. Its rank
in Gender Inequality Index (GII) is 127. The Global Gender Gap Index 2014, brought out by the World
Economic Forum has placed India at rank 114 among 142 countries. It is significant to note that many
of India’s neighbouring countries like Philippines, Thailand, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Srilanka, China, &
Indonesia have much better ranking.

4.203 Kerala is a state with many peculiarities. It is relatively better off when compared to other
states in many areas. An impressive Human Development achievement is one such area. The state
provides equal opportunities for its people in several aspects of human development and hence
Kerala has accomplished good results in several gender indicators. However, women in Kerala fall
behind in certain dimensions leaving them disempowered and dependent. Hence Kerala provides
a paradox. High achievements and equality in the dimensions of Health and Education coexist with
poor achievements and inequality in dimensions of Economic and Political participation.

4.204 Women constitute 52% of the state’s population. The overall sex ratio of Kerala is 1084 females
per 1000 males. However, Child sex ratio in respect of 0-6 age population in Kerala is 959. Though it
is much better than that of India (as a whole) or our neighbouring states, Kerala may have to examine
this development in detail. Though Child Sex Ratio has remained more or less constant over the
period 1991-2011, yet a fall from 960 in 2001 to 959 in 2011 has been noted. A comparison of Sex
Ratio across states is given in table below – 4.11

Table 4.11
Sex Ratio - General & Children

Sl no State Total Population Child Population 0-6 Yrs

1991 2001 2011 1991 2001 2011

1 India 927 933 940 945 927 914
2 Kerala
3 Tamil Nadu 1036 1058 1084 958 960 959
4 Karnataka
5 Andhra Pradesh 974 987 995 948 942 946

960 965 968 960 946 943

972 978 992 975 961 943

Source:Census of India 1991, 2001, 2011

Kerala State Planning Board