Publication Details
Abstract
Gender inequality in health outcomes remains a persistent challenge in India despite significant policy interventions and improvements in healthcare infrastructure. This study examines the nature and extent of gender disparities in key health indicators using secondary data from multiple rounds of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) conducted between 2005 and 2021. Drawing upon nationally representative datasets, the paper analyses trends in maternal health, nutritional status, anaemia prevalence, child health outcomes, and access to healthcare services across gender lines. The study adopts a comparative and longitudinal approach to assess how gender-based disparities have evolved over time, while also exploring intersections with socio-economic factors such as caste, education, income, and rural-urban residence. The findings indicate that although India has made notable progress in improving aggregate health indicators, significant gender gaps persist, particularly in anaemia prevalence, nutritional deprivation, and access to quality healthcare services. Women, especially from marginalized communities, continue to face compounded disadvantages due to structural inequalities and social norms. The paper further evaluates the effectiveness of major public health interventions, including National Health Mission and Janani Suraksha Yojana, in addressing gender disparities. While these initiatives have contributed to improvements in maternal and child health outcomes, their impact on broader gender equity remains uneven. By situating empirical findings within the broader discourse of inclusive development, the study underscores the need for gender-responsive and intersectionally informed health policies. It argues that achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047 requires a sustained focus on reducing gender-based health inequalities through targeted, data-driven policy interventions.