Introduction
Gender-sensitive planning and policymaking aim to ensure that policies and programs address the specific needs of different genders, especially women and marginalized communities. Many real-life case studies from print and electronic media illustrate how such planning can promote equity and empowerment. Below are five such case studies, followed by lessons learned from each.
Case Study 1: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (Haryana)
Source:
The Hindu, January 2021
Overview:
The program was launched to improve the declining child sex ratio and promote girls’ education. In Haryana’s districts like Panipat and Jhajjar, local authorities, schools, and community leaders actively promoted the campaign through rallies, school events, and stricter checks on sex-selective abortions.
Lessons Learned:
- Multistakeholder involvement strengthens gender policies.
- Awareness campaigns and enforcement must go hand-in-hand.
Case Study 2: Kerala’s Kudumbashree Mission
Source:
India Today, March 2022
Overview:
Kudumbashree is a poverty eradication and women empowerment program initiated by the Kerala government. Women are organized into self-help groups (SHGs) and supported through training, microfinance, and livelihood programs.
Lessons Learned:
- Gender-sensitive policies linked with economic empowerment create sustainable change.
- Women’s collectives can become powerful agents of development.
Case Study 3: Menstrual Hygiene Policy in Schools (Tamil Nadu)
Source:
NDTV, September 2020
Overview:
The Tamil Nadu government distributed free sanitary napkins in government schools and launched awareness sessions. This improved attendance and reduced the dropout rate of adolescent girls.
Lessons Learned:
- Gender-sensitive health policies can directly impact educational outcomes.
- Breaking taboos through awareness is key to inclusive planning.
Case Study 4: Delhi’s Gender Budgeting Initiative
Source:
Business Standard, February 2019
Overview:
Delhi government introduced a gender budget that allocated specific funds to women’s safety, health, and education. It tracked departmental spending on gender-focused schemes.
Lessons Learned:
- Gender budgeting enhances accountability in public finance.
- Transparent reporting leads to better gender outcomes.
Case Study 5: Mahila Police Volunteers Scheme (Haryana & Andhra Pradesh)
Source:
PIB (Press Information Bureau), 2021
Overview:
Women volunteers were trained and placed as liaisons between police and communities. They reported gender-based violence and ensured women could access help.
Lessons Learned:
- Involving women in safety-related policymaking builds trust and effectiveness.
- Community-based approaches work better in rural areas.
Conclusion
These five case studies from various parts of India show how gender-sensitive planning and policymaking can address different aspects of development — education, health, finance, safety, and livelihood. The key lessons include the importance of grassroots participation, accountability, and breaking gender-based taboos. Real change is possible when policies are designed with inclusion, participation, and sensitivity at their core.