The Indian Women's Journey

ABOUT THE BOOK This study maps changes in gender inequality in different sectors the quantum and direction of change and the contribution of change agents. With contributions from ten sector specialists it is a unique in-depth volume. The study questions the parameters normally used to measure gender equality – changes in economic political legal and social sectors; education; health and nutrition; participation in work; in governance; and the narrowing gap in these sectors. The sector analysis important as it is does not capture women’s lives and the inequality and discrimination which creep in through traditional social structures built on beliefs and practices reinforced by religion which clash with modern organisational and technological changes. These react with traditional structures. which is expressed in increase in violence unrest and familial disharmony. We need to examine women’s lives further by caste class and region to understand the micro-level changes impacting gender equality and evolve standard for measuring it. The book helps us understand why it is important to understand the factors that impact the lives of half of our population. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kamla (Gulati) Nath often introduced as “the grandmother of Indian feminism” by her son was born in the walled city of Delhi in 1931 grew up and had her schooling in west Punjab (now Pakistan). She studied for university education in Punjab and Delhi. She married Dr. Vishwambhar Nath a distinguished geographer and economist. Her first published academic work in 1963 explored the importance of women to Indias economy a topic that few were exploring at the time. As she followed her husbands work postings her professional work continued to grow – studies on women’s role in Kuwait studies on women’s role in the economy in West Africa and professional consultancies from the United Nations.