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Multidimensional Inequality Index among Indian Women

Author

Listed:
  • Astha Kushwaha

    (Research Assistant, IIM Ahmedabad (Corresponding Author))

  • Brinda Viswanathan

    (Professor, Madras School of Economics, Gandhi Mandapam Road, Chennai)

Abstract

Inequality is typically assessed using a single dimension measured in monetary values such as income or wages. As many women in developing countries lack access to onetary resources, various indicators must be used to comprehend inequality among women. Since women are the cornerstone of any household and are solely responsible for raising their children and inequality perpetuates itself across generations, it is crucial to study how one woman is unequal compared to another. In this study, we utilized data from NFHS 4 (2015-16) and NFHS 5 (2019-21) to examine the trend of inequality over time, taking into account covariates such as age, educational attainment of partner/husband at the individual level, and caste and religion of the women at the household level. We also investigated regional and statelevel inequality. The findings suggest that although there was an overall decrease in inequality from 2015-16 to 2019-21, several groups of women continue to face significant inequality.

Suggested Citation

  • Astha Kushwaha & Brinda Viswanathan, 2024. "Multidimensional Inequality Index among Indian Women," Working Papers 2024-258, Madras School of Economics,Chennai,India.
    • Handle: RePEc:mad:wpaper:2024-258
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Inequality; Multidimensional inequality; Health; Education; Domestic Violence;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure

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