Gender Inequality In Jammu & Kashmir State in context to Education, Health and Economic Activities

When we use the term male and female , we commonly refer to the anotimical /biological diferences betwen these two sexes-when we use the word gender , however we are going beyond anatomical/biological diferences betwen male and female to their socialy constiuted roles and status. For example ,when one uses the word feminity the social expectations of feminine qualites may be nurturing , caring , delicate, irational initative, submision ,non-agresion etc. "The word gender" is often used as a synonym for "sex". Sex, refers to biological characteristics and features that make someone female or male. Gender has also ben misused as a synonym for "women" or "female". For the present study, Jammu and Kashmir is chosen as unit of the study. The state of Jammu and Kashmir is one of the largest states of the India. It lies betwen 32o-15’ and 37o-05’ North latiude and 72o-35’ and 83o-20’ East longitude. The area of Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir is 101387sq.k m and it comprises thre natural regions viz., Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. Various Data sources primarily include Census of India 201 and suplemented with State Digest of Statistics and other published work wherever necesary. A most evident reflection of gender discrimination can ben sen at the alarming decline rate in sex ratio,be it at the national level or to the mater the J&K state. In case of J&K state, as depicted from various surveys, reports and census, gender inequality is clearly a mater of concern. Taking education as a starting point, there is nearly 27% gap betwen males and females in case of literacy rate. It clearly reflects the atitude of the society towards female education. Although, the literacy rate of education of females has increased from 9.28% to 49.12%, yet it is evident that gender gap has increased from 17.47 to 27.63. One of the greatest concern, so far as gender discrimination is concerned is that of male-female sex ratio. J&K is categorized in those states which have the worst sex ratio. Despite several steps taken state government or non-government organizations ,it sems that they have failed to curb this social menace. J&K has shown 82 points decrease in census 201 to 83.