In the current era of globalization, the role of gender is becoming vital in the socio-economic development of any nation. This has been made evident by the strong influence of Gender related development index (GDI) and gender employment measure (GEM) in UNDP's human development, reports, while ranking different countries (on the basis of human development indices). Thus, analyzing the exact linkage between gender and economic development is becoming an essential prerequisite.

This book attempts to throw light upon such linkages and, in the process, reveal major factors behind gender inequality, various dimensions of gender inequality and levels of socio-economic development have been sharply focused upon in this book. The book is expected to serve well the interest of the policy-planners, researchers, NGO's and women's organizations, striving for women's equality in the society.