Gender Gap: A small question of great importance

Equality between men and women has been the objective in the constitution of India ever since its enforcement. Bridging the gender gaps been the main motto of several international and national organisations. Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1948 and other related proclamations work in this area. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1979 as an internationally binding instrument that provides the basis for equality between women and men, and sets up an agenda for national action to end gender discrimination and to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms for women. Still after so many years of consistent efforts many women and girls remain powerless, voiceless and without rights. For women and girls, exclusion and discrimination are exacerbated by unequal societal relations in an environment that so often, denies them equal access to essential basic rights and fails to protect them from abuse, violence and exploitation, deepening the abyss between the two counterparts of the society. Promoting gender equality will require concerted, focused initiatives and the participation of all sectors of society.