The Hindu Editorial Analysis
25 June 2025
The Need for Gender Equity in Urban Bureaucracy
(Source – The Hindu, National Edition – Page No. – 08)
Topic: GS 1 & GS 2 – Indian Society (Role of Women), Governance (Urban Development, Civil Services Reforms, Gender Budgeting)
Context:
As India undergoes rapid urban transformation—expected to house over 800 million people in cities by 2050—the inclusiveness of its urban governance will shape democratic outcomes. Despite constitutional mandates for women’s representation in political structures, urban bureaucracies remain predominantly male, hampering inclusive, gender-sensitive development.
Introduction:
While women now hold over 46% of elected seats in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Governments (ULGs), their representation in urban bureaucracies—such as city engineers, transport officials, and planners—remains disproportionately low. This leads to critical blind spots in the design and implementation of infrastructure, transportation, and public safety initiatives.
The Bureaucratic Gender Gap: Facts and Concerns
1. Poor Gender Representation in Urban Bureaucracy
- Women made up only 20% of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers as of 2022.
- Only 11.7% of the national police force is female, most often in desk roles.
- In engineering and transport departments, women’s presence is even lower.
2. Skewed Priorities and Exclusion
- Women’s lived realities are often ignored.
- Example: 84% of women in Delhi and Mumbai use public transport, but most planning decisions cater to men’s mobility needs.
- Low lighting, inadequate safety infrastructure, and poor last-mile connectivity disproportionately affect women.
Missed Opportunities in Gender-Responsive Governance
1. Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB): Underutilized Tool
- Introduced in 2005, GRB can help integrate gender equity into budget allocation.
- However, impact is limited due to poor institutional capacity and weak implementation.
2. Case Studies of Good Practice
- Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Kerala: Women-only buses, gender-sensitive public lighting, and sanitation prioritization.
- Philippines, Brazil, Tunisia: Global examples where gender-focused budgeting improved access to safety, shelter, childcare, and education.
Why Gender-Sensitive Bureaucracies Matter
- Women officers bring empathy, safety concerns, and lived experience into public policy.
- Equity in representation is not tokenism but a structural necessity for resilient and inclusive urban governance.
- UN Women and ICRIER studies affirm that diversity enhances trust, outcomes, and sustainability in governance.
Way Forward: Equity in Governance
1. Systemic Reforms in Urban Governance
- Quotas in urban engineering & transport services
- Gender-inclusive recruitment and promotion
- Scholarships for women in technical education
2. Scaling Gender-Responsive Budgeting
- Mandate GRB across all ULGs.
- Incorporate impact evaluation, data audits, and citizen participation.
3. Empower Local Women Leadership
- Promote women’s leadership in ULBs like Kudumbashree (Kerala).
- Institutionalize women-led models in climate action, mobility, and digital governance.
Conclusion:
As India aspires to become a $5 trillion economy, equity in governance cannot be an afterthought. Cities must be inclusive not just in electoral politics but also in bureaucratic leadership. Gender-equitable urban administration isn’t merely fair—it’s essential for designing cities that are safer, more sustainable, and more responsive to the needs of all.