International Women’s Day marked in India: A lot has still to be done to empower women
Purbi Bora Kakati...social worker with a heart of gold at the recent Kumbh Mela in India.
By Maya Madkoriya
Hundreds of thousands of women in India marked International Women’s Day with renewed vigour, seeking to empower them with a much-needed change in a country where many women are yet to reach equality.
Despite the constant claims of gender equality from the political system that rules over 1.438 billion people in India, a lot has yet to be done to empower women.
In this vast country with more than 651.9 million, or 48.41% women – 100 females for every 105 males, gender equality has yet to be fully achieved. It’s still a man’s world in India, particularly in the rural areas.
International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated every year on March 8th. In 2025, it served as a powerful reminder of the progress made toward gender equality globally while highlighting the work still to be done.
As the global movement for women’s rights continues to gain momentum, IWD provides an opportunity to celebrate women’s achievements worldwide and push for greater equality in all sectors of society.
The theme for International Women’s Day 2025 is “Choose to Challenge,” calling on individuals and organisations to challenge gender bias, inequality, and the stereotypes that continue to limit opportunities for women and girls. This emphasises the need to address both overt and covert discrimination – the subtler, more insidious forms of gender bias that can exist in all aspects of life—from the workplace to the home and from education to politics.
While many strides have been made over the years regarding women’s empowerment and gender equality, data from organisations like the United Nations and the World Economic Forum (WEF) highlight that challenges remain.
According to the WEF’s Global Gender Gap Report 2023, a gap in economic participation, education, health, and political empowerment has narrowed by only 0.2% in the past year.
At the current rate, it will take an estimated 132 years to close the gender gap altogether. This is a sobering reminder of how far we still have to go in achieving true gender equality.
While challenges persist, progress is evident in various fields, driven by women’s collective efforts and societal changes in the cities.
More women are entering leadership roles, though women still make up only 30% of senior management globally, according to a McKinsey & Company report. The corporate world sees increased diversity in boardrooms, with more companies committing to gender equality policies.
Women’s political participation has surged. As of 2024, women hold approximately 25% of parliamentary seats worldwide, a significant increase from previous decades. Female political leaders, like New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern and Finland’s Sanna Marin, have exemplified leadership that values inclusivity and empathy.
Globally, more girls are in school than ever. In sub-Saharan Africa, the gender gap in primary education has almost been closed, with girls’ enrolment rates surpassing 90%. Education continues to be a key driver of women’s economic independence and social mobility.
Women’s health has gained more attention, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted gender disparities in healthcare. The World Health Organisation reports that maternal mortality rates have dropped by 38% over the past 20 years. Yet, challenges remain in many parts of the world, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Despite the remarkable strides made, women still face many obstacles worldwide.
On average, women earn about 20% less than men for the same work, says the International Labour Organisation (ILO). This wage disparity affects women’s financial independence, retirement savings, and long-term economic security.
Violence against women remains one of the most pervasive human rights abuses globally. One in three women experiences physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, with many cases going unreported. It is critical and needs urgent attention from governments and societies alike.
Women bear the brunt of unpaid care work, which includes household chores, child-rearing, and caregiving for elderly relatives. Globally, women do three times more unpaid care work than men, a disproportionate load that limits their ability to participate fully in the workforce or pursue their goals.
Women remain underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) despite an increasing focus on encouraging girls to pursue these subjects. UNESCO says only 35% of STEM students globally are women, limiting their participation in high-paying, future-focused industries.
It is crucial that achieving gender equality requires sustained action. Both individuals and institutions must take steps to ensure women’s rights are acknowledged and actively supported. Governments have a role to play in this, too.
Women’s empowerment in India has evolved significantly over the years, with the government, organisations, and society working towards improving women’s social, economic, and political status. India is getting there, but challenges remain for years.
Gender-based violence remains critical for women’s empowerment in India. While legal frameworks have been strengthened, cultural and social attitudes continue to perpetuate violence.
Domestic violence is very worrying. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), over 400,000 cases of domestic violence were reported in 2020. The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2013 has stricter provisions for handling cases of violence against women, including rape, acid attacks, and stalking.
Despite this, there are an alarming number of cases of rape, stalking and, sadly, acid attacks.
The curse of dowry deaths continues in India. There have been significant improvements in reducing dowry deaths, but the practice still exists in certain areas. NCRB reported 7,000 dowry deaths in 2020
India is beautiful, but its government has much more to do to empower women. That will be a great day when it achieves more progress in literacy and gender disparity and provides better systems to improve women’s health, economic participation, wage gaps, entrepreneurship and leadership.
It is heartening to note that women make up about 14.4% of the total seats in the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament) as of 2024, a modest increase from 11% in 2014.
Women can rule India as seen in its history. It has seen women led states and even the nation, with leaders like Indira Gandhi (first female Prime Minister), President Droupadi Murmu and Pratibha Patil; Cabinet and Chief Ministers Mamata Banerjee, Jayalalithaa, Sushma Swaraj, Atishi Marlena Singh, the short-lived Chief Minister of Delhi from the Aam Admi Party and its leader and her successor Rekha Gupta, the newly appointed Delhi Chief Minister displaying leadership capabilities in the politics.
Every woman is a hero in her own right. Their achievements are worthy of note. Take social worker Purabi Bora Kakati of Guwahati, Assam, a beacon of empowerment.
She has dedicated her life to the service of women and children. Known for her compassionate heart, she has worked tirelessly to uplift marginalised women, ensuring they have the resources and opportunities to lead dignified lives. Her dedication has made her a pillar of strength in her community.
One of the most poignant recent examples of her unwavering commitment to women’s empowerment was when she travelled from Assam to Prayagraj during the Kumbh Mela with a group of women for a religious pilgrimage involving a dip in the Sangam of the Ganges River.
She stayed calm despite obstacles, including travel challenges and amid a large, impatient crowd. She ensured their safety and well-being. She also met the costs of the trip without any donations. Despite a reserved seat someone else had hijacked, she did not mind the inconvenience of sitting cooped up in the crowded coach during the train journey.
Poignantly, she noticed children crying from hunger and thirst, and without a second thought, she shared all the food and water she had with the children, choosing to go without herself. She turned this gruelling journey into an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Purabi advocates women’s rights and actively works to empower them to become financially independent, socially aware, and confident individuals. She believes true empowerment comes when they know their rights, the skills to overcome obstacles, and the courage to stand up for themselves and others. She is an inspiration and role model for future generations. Like Mother Thersa, her life proves that one individual can bring about change.
Maya Madkoriya is an international writer and advocate at Bhopal District Court, Madhya Pradesh, India.
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