Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI) [UPSC Notes]

The Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI) 2023 was released by the UNDP. The index reveals a lack of progress in addressing biases against women over the past decade. In this article, you can read more about the Gender Social Norms Index and its relevance from the IAS exam perspective.

Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI)

The Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI) was first introduced in the 2019 Human Development Report.

• The GSNI provides a detailed analysis of the root causes of gender inequality that hinder progress for women and girls.
• It covers four key dimensions: political, educational, economic, and physical integrity.
• The index aims to identify and highlight the areas where women and girls face systematic disadvantages and discrimination.

Also read: Gender inequality in India

GSNI 2023 – Key Findings

• Half of the global population still believes that men make better political leaders than women.
• Over 40% of people believe that men are more suited to be business executives than women.
• Shockingly, 25% of individuals believe that it is justified for a man to physically abuse his wife.
• The representation of women as heads of state or heads of government has remained stagnant at around 10% since 1995.
• In the labour market, women hold less than one-third of managerial positions.
• Despite significant advancements in women’s education, there is still a substantial gender income gap, with men earning 39% more than women on average.
• These biases have severe implications, including the erosion of women’s rights and an increase in human rights violations. Movements against gender equality are gaining momentum in many parts of the world, highlighting the urgent need for action. The underrepresentation of women in leadership roles further exacerbates the problem.

Measures to address these biases:

• To address these biases, governments play a crucial role. 
• Policies such as parental leave and labour market reforms can challenge societal perceptions of care work responsibilities and increase employment opportunities for women.
• Educating people and promoting women’s representation in decision-making and political processes are also essential steps. 
• Recognizing the economic value of unpaid care work, where women contribute significantly more than men, is another important aspect.
• The focus should be on expanding human development by investing in laws and policies that promote women’s political participation, strengthening social protection and care systems, and fostering innovation to combat online hate speech and gender disinformation.

Gender bias persists as a widespread issue globally. Without addressing biased gender social norms, achieving gender equality, as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), will remain elusive.

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