Where Are Our Women? Examining the Economic Costs of Gender Imbalances in Indian Society

The gender imbalances in India have variedly contributed to the country’s disruptions in its growth and development. From the pre-colonial era to the post-independence era, the phenomenon of ‘missing women’, though not always recognised, has had significant effects. Its extensive impacts range from economic concessions, such as unsatisfactory labour force participation rates of women, demographic dividends, and productivity losses, to social difficulties such as limitations on women’s autonomy. Various measures have been implemented by the government, including the ban on the Sati system and Dowry, the BBBP scheme, and the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY). While these may seem like beneficial interventions, research indicates that the implementation of the aforementioned policies has not been entirely effective due to social, financial, and cultural challenges. Theories such as Amartya Sen's Capability Approach Theory and the Nudge Theory examine different perspectives to enhance the impact of these policies. This paper explores the history of this phenomenon and the impact of policies implemented to improve these conditions. Keywords: ‘Missing Women’ Phenomenon, Gender Disparity, Economic Costs, Productivity, Policies in India