Synopsis Gender is one of the universal dimensions on which status differences are based. Unlike sex, which is a biological concept, gender is a social construct specifying the socially and culturally prescribed roles that men and women are to follow. Women have always had lower status than men, but the extent of the gap between the sexes varies across cultures and time. This book describes the role of gender in Indian society. It locates the status of women in the country, taking into consideration of the issues that provide challenges to the way gender is perceived and accepted. The interdisciplinary scope of the book makes it an ideal text for a wide range of disciplines including women's studies, development studies, population studies, sociology, social work, community health, rural development and social policy.