In the past decade, there has been a large decline in female labour force participation from 34% to 27%. The male-female wage gap has been stagnant at 50% (a recent survey finds a 27% gender pay gap in white-collar jobs). Crimes against women show an upward trend, in particular brutal crimes such as rapes, dowry deaths, and honour killings. These trends are disturbing, as a natural prediction would be that, with optimal growth, come education and prosperity; and a possible decline in adherence to traditional institutions and socially prescribed gender roles that hold women back.
