The theme for International Women’s Day 2024 is ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.’ As the world grapples with multiple crises, triggered by the pandemic, climate change, and geopolitical conflict, investing in women is no longer an option. It is of vital importance for a more just, sustainable, and equal world.
For India, it is vital to invest in women to harness the gender dividend, which is closely linked with the demographic dividend in the country. The gender dividend is achievable through the empowerment of women and girls by investing in their education, health and nutrition, enhancing skilling and employment opportunities, and access to finance for women.
This compendium of 14 essays explores what it would entail to unlock the sweet spot of the demographic dividend through women’s inclusion, and prioritising SDG 5 on gender equality to advance Agenda 2030. It scrutinises essential issues around women’s participation in the economy and the labour force in India, and the role of financial inclusion in achieving gender parity. It examines women’s vulnerability to climate and food insecurity and options for building resilience through climate action and climate financing. It underlines the role of technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in bridging the gender divide as well as the importance of building safe cyberspaces for women. The collection also looks at the role of supportive policymaking for empowering women, including those who face the double discrimination of gender and age. One essay sets out to probe if democracy is the best means for supporting women to develop their political agency and participate fully in politics. Another essay examines the role of women in conflict prevention and resolution and the need for fostering gender-inclusive approaches to peace in the Indo-Pacific. A crucial essay delves into the shifting landscape of gender norms and attitudes with a focus on men’s gender attitudes in India underscoring the importance of engaging boys and men as allies in this endeavour. Altogether, these essays ask essential questions, offer insights, and highlight best practices for transforming sticky social norms and investing in women to enable them to thrive.
