Gender inequality undermining India's progress: Government report

NEW DELHI: Deep-rooted gender inequalities continue to undermine India's potential to translate economic growth into inclusive development, according to a government report which highlighted the inequality found in the education system.

It says gender is the most pervasive form of inequality that operates in India across all classes, castes and communities, posing a big challenge despite the progressive education policy.

The 'Report on the Implementation of Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action' says that issues of gender have been one of the most challenging in the progress made towards the goals of universalisation, inclusion, equity and quality in education.

The report will be submitted by Union Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi at the 'Asian and Pacific Conference on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment: Beijing+20 Review' which is underway in Bangkok since yesterday till November 20.

"Gender being the most pervasive form of inequality operates across al classes, castes and communities in India and is a big challenge despite having a progressive education policy with regard to gender," it says.

"The education system still reflects the inequality found in the society outside the classroom. Continuous and sustained efforts are still required to bring the status of the girls at par with boys," the report says.

It mentioned the setbacks or reversals in progress towards gender equality and empowerment of women that have been experienced since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration.