Exclusive: India needs to have 'Ministry of Gender Equality' to tackle gender disparities

Woman emancipation has been an indispensable part of gender equality, however, with concerns such as crimes against women, pay disparity, gender stigmatisation, dubiety pertaining to women's right come to the fore. Executive member of Shri Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS), Ruchi Mehta who has participated in the virtual United Nation's multi-stakeholder hearing told ETV Bharat that the Fourth World Conference on Women produced the most progressive blueprint for women's right. As India sees a declining number of women from the workforce, Mehta added that it is a cause of concern but the fact remains that disparity of opportunities presented to women needs to be addressed so that they can compete on an equal footing. The women, especially in the rural sector, are the ones who are at the receiving end of biases perpetuated socially and culturally. Emphasising the need to strengthen the educational infrastructure, Mehta said that India can have a Ministry of Gender Equality like Argentina to address such issues as it will give more attention in tackling obstacles to parity between men and women.