Gender equality essay for UPSC topic : Gender Equality - Problems and Perspectives

UPSC Mains Essay Writing Prompt

Topic: Gender Equality - Problems and Perspectives

1. Introduction (50-70 words)

Hook: Start with a powerful quote or statistic (e.g., "According to WEF's 2023 report, at current progress, gender parity will take 131 years globally").

Context: Define gender equality as equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities regardless of gender.

Thesis: "While India has made progress in gender equality through constitutional measures, deep-rooted social norms continue to hinder true empowerment."

2. Body (4-5 Paragraphs)

Paragraph Structure:

• Idea: One key argument per paragraph (e.g., "Economic disparities persist in workforce participation")
• Support: Use data (e.g., "Female LFPR is just 24% vs 56% for men - PLFS 2022"), examples (e.g., "Anganwadi workers' contribution during pandemic"), or quotes ("Amartya Sen's 'missing women' theory")
• Transition: Link to next point (e.g., "Beyond economic barriers, political representation remains skewed...")

Suggested Frameworks:

• Historical → Current → Future: From ancient egalitarian societies to modern constitutional guarantees
• Sectoral Analysis: Education, Health, Employment, Political participation
• Problem-Solution: Identify challenges and government initiatives (Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, 33% Women's Reservation Bill)

3. Conclusion (50-70 words)

Summary: Recap progress made and challenges remaining in 2 lines.

Vision: "A gender-equal India would harness its full demographic potential, as envisioned in SDG 5."

Clincher: Use a constitutional ideal ("Justice - Social, Economic and Political" from Preamble) or quote ("The hands that rock the cradle rule the world" - Swami Vivekananda).

Example Application:

Hook: "When Savitribai Phule opened India's first girls' school in 1848, she planted the seed for gender equality that still grows today."

Body:

• Education: Improved female literacy (70.3% in 2021) but STEM gender gap persists
• Health: Declining sex ratio (929 females/1000 males) vs. maternal mortality improvement
• Economic: Gender pay gap (34% in formal sector) and unpaid care work burden
• Political: Panchayati Raj success (14 lakh women representatives) vs. Parliament stagnation (14.4% women MPs)

Conclusion: "As we build 'Nari Shakti' for New India, true equality will come when daughters are as celebrated as sons, in homes as much as in laws."

How to Use This Prompt:

1. Copy this template structure for any UPSC essay topic
2. Replace content with your specific arguments and examples
3. Maintain balance - acknowledge progress while highlighting gaps
4. Use recent data (NFHS, NCRB reports) for authenticity
5. Practice writing within 1000-1200 words limit