Gender Justice Defines Affirmative Actions

Gender Justice has been an integral part of the social justice quest of the Tamil Nadu government. This lofty dream is realised through series of affirmative actions implemented over the last five decades.

- Maanasvini Anand

Gender justice is the cornerstone of modern society. It is the harmonization of women's rights and needs into mainstream society. Achieving gender justice is not just getting rid of the existing inequalities; it also entails breaking down detrimental cultural and systematic barriers. By doing so, it aims to provide all individuals with equal rights and opportunities.

While strides have been made in terms of gender equality, progress towards equal rights and opportunities still seems elusive around the world. One in five girls globally still lack access to primary education. In the workforce, the gender gap is estimated to be 20% across the world, reflecting disparities in opportunities, pay, and advancement. Globally, discriminatory laws, policies, and ideologies continue to impede progress. Furthermore, women occupy only 26% of parliament seats globally showing the lack of women in decision-making spaces.

These statistics paint a sobering picture of our reality. This gender gap hinders the progress of societies and individuals alike. Studies have shown that closing the gender gap could add trillions to our economy, showing the economic costs of these disparities. However, economics isn't the only aspect that gender equality affects. Statistics have shown gender equality has brought about improved health outcomes, reduced poverty, and increased social stability, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of this pursuit.