Gender sensitivity in India

Interesting findings from a 22 nation poll on gender issues conducted in April and May 2010 by the Pew Research Center’s Global Attitudes Project in association with the International Herald Tribune. Though there is widespread acceptance of gender equality, many still believe men should get preference when it comes to good jobs, higher education or even in some cases the simple right to work outside the home.

India comes out as amongst the least gender sensitive, with 84% of respondents feeling that when jobs are scarce, men should have more right to a job. This is a larger share of the population than in any other country, including those from Middle East and Africa.



Only 39% of Indian women and 37% men feel that there is need for making further changes so as to bring about equality in rights, and 52% women and 53% men feel that enough changes have been made in that direction.



The findings from India are all the more surprising (and a cause for concern) since most of those surveyed are from the urban centers.