Ananda Ghose

A critical note on UNDP's gender inequality indices

Abstract This paper analyses the different indices applied for the measurement of human development as constructed by the United Nations Development Program. Of special interest is the Gender Development Index (GDI), introduced in the 1995 Human Development Report and the Gender Empowerment Measure (GEM). In light of the male bias in the Indian socio-economic context, the application of the GDI and GEM acquires special significance. A critical appraisal of their theoretical base and their application has been undertaken in this paper. The conclusion is that GDI and GEM although praise- worthy achievements on the part of the UNDP, do not adequately reflect or measure male/female disparity in the Indian context. Both indices suffer from the weakness of employing a pre-assigned value of the Gender Sensitive Equity Indicator. They also exhibit several other shortcomings, outlined here. GDI is a poor indicator of the relative deprivation of females as shown by our analysis of the relationship between the GDI and the female/male ratio for 16 Indian core states. But as to women, who can penetrate the real sufferings of their she condition? Mans very sympathy with their estate has much of selfishness and more suspicion. Their love, their virtue, beauty, education, but form good housekeepers, to breed a nation — Lord Byron

Deprivation of females in Kondh-dominated villages in rural Orissa: evidence and economic explanations

Economic theories of the family, of gender discrimination and deprivation within the family are examined in the context of three Kondh-dominated tribal villages, relying on a survey. Background information about the groups surveyed, the study area and nature of the survey are provided and the resource endowments of interviewed wives and their families and their economic status are outlined. Results from interviews of 106 wives, using a structured questionnaire, are reported and analysed. Factors of relevance for economic unitary and bargaining theories of the family are examined in this social context. Entitlements of females are ascertained. Using the survey results, socioeconomic influences on the status of wives and their deprivation within their families are examined and the entitlements of female and male children are compared and analysed. Because of cultural embedding, it is suggested that the relevance of economic theories of the family depend significantly on cultural contexts.