International Women’s Day 2025:

The Ipsos IWD 2025 Global Survey found that 78 per cent of Indian citizens believe in the importance of achieving gender equality, with both genders supporting the cause.

International Women’s Day 2025: A 30-country survey conducted by research firm Ipsos for International Women’s Day reveals that Indians are among the most progressive when it comes to views on gender equality and challenging traditional gender stereotypes.

The Ipsos IWD 2025 Global Survey found that 78 per cent of Indian citizens believe in the importance of achieving gender equality, with both genders supporting the cause. In comparison, other countries showed more polarised views on gender parity, with South Korea (52%) and the Netherlands (54%) exhibiting significantly lower levels of agreement.

The firm conducted online interviews with 24,269 people across 30 countries between December 20, 2024, and January 3, 2025.

Regarding gender stereotypes, 48 per cent of Indians view domestic chores, like housekeeping and cooking, as shared responsibilities between genders. In contrast, 28 per cent believe the responsibility lies with women, and 18 per cent attribute it to men.

Further, 69 per cent of Indians which is at least two in three people feel that women holding positions of responsibility in business and government is a key step in advancing gender equality.

About 53 per cent believe that the responsibility of unpaid care for family members, such as caring for children and elderly relatives, should be shared equally between both genders.

“It is heartening to see that both men and women in India are aligned in their views on equal treatment and opportunity for women,” CEO of Ipsos India Amit Adarkar said, highlighting the progress India is making, especially in light of a World Economic Forum report which found that it could take five generations to achieve full gender parity.

Adarkar pointed out that India is witnessing shifts in rural areas, with initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Lakhpati Didi, alongside government policies designed to foster systemic change. He also said that families are smaller now and some families have a girl child.

Despite growing acceptance of gender parity, the report said that many Indians still believe men should be the primary breadwinners of the family, with the idea of stay-at-home dads remaining largely unacceptable.

“Gender equality is the theme and the buzzword for 2025 and beyond, but the other extreme of a man staying at home to look after his children is also not acceptable to Indians – he is seen as less of a man – this view was held by at least 6 in 10 Indians,” the report read. A significant 60 per cent of Indians hold this view, a notable increase from 39 per cent in 2019. The global average stands at 19 per cent, while South Korea leads with 69 per cent.

Notably, the survey also found that 64 per cent of Indians believe that men are being unfairly pressured to support gender equality through what they see as “overambitious” policies.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)