UPSC Economy — Reddy Sir

Current measures of gender inequality mainly focus on women’s participation in the labour market, wages, and employment. However, they largely ignore wealth ownership, which is a major source of economic power and security. The author argues that policies should focus on gender wealth inequality, because ownership of productive assets has a greater impact on women’s long-term empowerment than employment alone. ⸻ Why Wealth Ownership Matters 1. Improves family welfare Research shows that when women own assets like land or a house: Children’s education improves. Nutrition improves. Health outcomes improve. Household spending becomes more welfare-oriented. ⸻ 2. Protects women from poverty Women owning property: have greater bargaining power, face lower domestic violence, are less vulnerable after divorce or widowhood, escape intergenerational poverty. ⸻ 3. Raises agricultural productivity If women farmers own: land, irrigation, farm equipment, livestock, they invest more efficiently, increasing: farm productivity, food security, national agricultural growth. ⸻ 4. Important in India’s labour market PLFS 2023–24 shows: 86% of women workers are informally employed. 91% of rural women workers are informal. Around 73% of rural women are self-employed, mainly in family farming and small enterprises. Since many women are unpaid family workers or self-employed, income alone does not reflect their economic status. Ownership of productive assets becomes more important. ⸻ Problems with Existing Reports The article criticizes reports like: World Inequality Report (WIR) UN Gender Reports because they: measure only labour income, ignore ownership of land and assets, undervalue unpaid family work, underestimate women’s contribution to the economy. ⸻ Major Causes of Gender Wealth Inequality Unequal inheritance Limited land ownership Wage discrimination Career breaks due to childcare Informal employment Lack of property rights Social norms favouring men ⸻ Policy Recommendations The author suggests: Equal inheritance rights Joint land and house titles Better asset ownership data Credit access for women Childcare support Recognition of unpaid work Financial inclusion Skill development Legal enforcement of women’s property rights