Paper short abstract:

The research explores the issue of gender inequality in housing in India. Despite reforms, traditional cultural norms continue to hinder women's housing rights. The study adopts a policy analysis and interviews to examine the housing rights of women. It advocates for a reevaluation of India's housing policies through a lens of human development and emphasizes the need for gender equality.

Paper long abstract:

The study aims to investigate the ongoing issue of gender disparities in housing access in India and explores its impact on human development. Despite the implementation of legal reforms and international commitments, persistent cultural norms and discriminatory practices continue to hinder women's equal housing rights, especially among those living in urban poverty. Through the lens of human development, this study offers a comprehensive analysis of the complex interplay between state responsibilities, legal frameworks, and cultural biases that contribute to the feminization of poverty in housing.

This study is focused on gaining an understanding of how gender biases and discriminatory practices contribute to the feminization of poverty when it comes to accessing housing in India. The main research question is supported by subquestions that delve into the specific impacts of gender biases and investigate how discriminatory practices perpetuate unequal opportunities for women, especially among those living in urban poverty. Additionally, this study examines the role of the government in shaping property laws and influencing housing dynamics for women, while also evaluating how effective legislative reforms and government initiatives have been in addressing gender disparities in housing. It also identifies persistent challenges that hinder achieving gender equality in this domain. Together, these questions provide a comprehensive framework for analyzing the complex issues surrounding gender disparities in housing access within India.

In terms of methodology, this study employs a comprehensive policy analysis approach by drawing information from government databases, research institutes, and international organizations. Additionally, a literature review provides historical context along with theoretical frameworks. The study strongly emphasizes ethics and credibility, taking into account the perspectives of women living in the slums of NCT Delhi. These perspectives provide valuable insights into how housing disparities impact human development.

From a conceptual standpoint, the study adopts a human development approach to examine gender disparities in housing. It recognizes that housing is crucial in determining people's capabilities, dignity, and agency. The research delves into how these disparities intersect with broader dimensions of human development, particularly about women's autonomy, empowerment, and overall well-being. The central argument asserts that existing housing policies fall short of ensuring fair access for all, thereby perpetuating gender inequalities and hindering the overall progress of marginalized women. This has significant implications for human development.

The findings shed light on the historical evolution of India's housing policies, which have transitioned from state-centric to market-driven approaches over time. Despite legislative reforms aimed at addressing discriminatory practices, cultural biases persist and hinder women's access to housing and property rights. Achieving gender equality remains challenging, necessitating a multifaceted strategy that includes legal harmonization efforts, raising awareness about these issues, and empowering women economically.

While progress has been made towards achieving the goal of "Housing for All" by 2024 in India, significant challenges still need to be addressed. This requires adopting comprehensive and inclusive approaches to housing policies that consider social, cultural, and economic dimensions.

In conclusion, the study calls for a thorough reassessment and improvement of India's housing policies within the framework of human development considerations. It aims to provide policymakers with valuable insights, advocating for more inclusive and fair approaches to meet the unique requirements of women living in poverty in urban areas. The goal is to promote gender equality in housing and support broader human development objectives.

Keywords

Gender inequalities, Access to housing, Human development, Responsibilities of the state, Reforms in legislation.