• Dr. R. Latha
• Dr. V. Suthacini

Gender equality and women’s empowerment are fundamental dimensions of human development. Because half of humanity is not enjoying progress in human development, such development is not universal. Investing in girls and women has multidimensional benefits. If all girls in developing countries completed secondary education, the under-five mortality rate would be halved. Women also need support to pursue higher education, particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, where much future demand for high-level work will be. Women in South Asia are often excluded from decision making, have limited access to and control over resources, are restricted in their mobility and are often under threat of violence from male relatives. These deprivations are linked strongly to patriarchal social norms and attitudes that impede equitable gender relationships within households. They have consequences for health, education and community participation. This paper attempts to make a comparative study on the Gender development index of South Asian countries.

Gender Development Index, South Asia, Life expectancy at Birth, Expected years of schooling, Mean years of schooling, Gross National Income (GNI) per capita.

"STATE OF GENDER DEVELOPMENT INDEX OF SOUTH ASIAN COUNTRIES: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.4, Issue 7, page no.250-254, July-2017, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1707045.pdf

"STATE OF GENDER DEVELOPMENT INDEX OF SOUTH ASIAN COUNTRIES: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.4, Issue 7, page no. pp250-254, July-2017, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1707045.pdf