Gender Equality and Public Policies

Gender equality could refer togiving equal opportunity to all individual irrespective of his or her sex. Literally, it implies a society in which both men and women are able to share equally in the distribution of resources, power, rights, and opportunities (Wadesango, 2011). Although the Government, Non-Government Organisations, feminist organizations and mass media have been trying to promote gender equality still gender difference is persisted in everyday experiences in India. This paper reviewed the gender equality, and its policies, strategies, and schemes taken up by the Government of India. The paper is based on secondary data collected through review of studies, reports, documents and various data from regional, national and international level. It critically discussed the evolution of gender discrimination in the society, problems in achieving gender equality and measures through policies taken up the Government. The review indicated that the only possible means to narrow down inequality of gender is the empowerment of women in all aspects of economic, political, education and health and security. It is concluded that there are various emerging policies and strategies of Government to promote gender equality, however, gender bias may continue to practice due to the persistence of cultural attitudes of male dominating society and lack of commitment among the concerned authorities to implement policies into action. Therefore, it is needed to educate and sensitize male members of the society regarding the feeling of togetherness and equality, and the importance of women empowerment