Kerala scores low on gender equality: CSE report

Kochi: While Kerala claims gender equality and better living standards for its womenfolk than any other state in the country, its performance in SDG 5 (gender equality) was much below par, according to a report by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).The report ‘Are We on Track to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals 2030' analyzes statewise performances of the 20 SDGs (sustainable development goals) and provides insights into the challenges and successes in India's path to 2030, examining whether the country can accelerate its progress and bridge the gaps in time.While Kerala is the country's top performer for most SDGs, it has not reached the halfway mark in 20 of the 107 assessed indicators. These low-scoring indicators are spread across 13 of the 16 SDGs, with the highest concentration in SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG 3 (good health and well-being), SDG 4 (quality education) and SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth).In SDGs that focus on a fairer society for citizens, Kerala stands fourth in the country. This includes SDG 5, 10 and 16 — namely gender equality, reduced inequalities and peace, justice and strong institutions.In SDG 5, which largely focuses on gender equality, the state scored poorly in four targets, including the ratio of female to male labour force participation rate, the proportion of women in managerial positions, female-operated operational land holdings, and the ratio of female to male average wage/salary earnings."The state will need to look at its ground reality. Kerala has performed exceptionally well but in some SDGs, including 5, 8, 9, 10 and 12, the score is much lower. We used data from NITI Aayog report of 2023-24, so it must include details of the Covid and post-Covid situation, which is why there is such a huge difference in the SDG scores," said Kiran Pandey, programme coordinator, environment resources, CSE. "These are several gaps that authorities need to address looking at gender in Kerala, as it is projected as more balanced in development because of its high education and health indicators," Pandey said.She said that the report was based on data from ‘Sustainable Development Report 2024', published by Dublin University. India's state-wise performance is based on the ‘SDG Index 2023-24', released by NITI Aayog in July 2024, and projected population data has been sourced from ‘Report of the Technical Group on Population Projections 2011-2036.'