- Delhi has 71 lakh women voters, nearly half of the total electorate, with a high turnout rate.
- Political parties target women voters with incentives, reflected in budget allocations.
- Delhi’s overall budget has increased from ₹271 billion (2011-12) to ₹760 billion (2024-25).
- The gender budget has seen a seven-fold increase from ₹10 billion (2011-12) to ₹71 billion (2024-25).
Relevance: GS 2(Governance )
Shift in Gender Budget Priorities
- While financial assistance and welfare schemes are crucial, long-term empowerment requires investment in education and health.
- The allocation for women’s education peaked at₹24 billion in 2017-18 but has declined since.
- In 2017-18, education comprised 54% of the gender budget but has dropped to 27% in 2024-25.
- A sharp 9% decline in the education budget was recorded in just the past year.
Consequences of Declining Education Investment
- Impact on Labour Force Participation
- Delhi’s female labour force participation is 21%, the lowest in India (PLFS, 2023-24).
- Women are mostly employed as house helps and cleaners, indicating low skill levels.
- The gender gap in labour force participation is 51.6 percentage points.
- Gender Inequality in High-Skilled Jobs
- 94% of top roles (legislators, senior managers, CEOs) are occupied by men.
- Only 3.8% of women are in high-skilled jobs like technicians, compared to 10.34% of men.
- Lack of investment in education limits women’s access to high-paying careers.
- Sectoral Concentration of Women
- Most women professionals work in teaching and healthcare.
- Limited access to technical education restricts their presence in diverse fields.
The Need for a Balanced Approach
- While cash transfers provide short-term relief, long-term empowerment requires education and skill development.
- Increased investment in technical and professional education can bridge the gender gap in high-skilled jobs.
- A well-structured gender budget must balance welfare schemes with sustainable growth strategies for women.
Conclusion
- The decline in Delhi’s gender budget allocation for education is a major concern.
- Without substantial investment in education and skill-building, women’s economic and social empowerment will remain limited.
- Policymakers must prioritize education and training to ensure gender parity in the workforce.
