Gender equity and human development are intrinsically linked, forming a reciprocal relationship where progress in one area significantly influences the other. Human development, broadly defined, is about expanding people's choices and capabilities, enabling them to lead long, healthy, and creative lives, and to enjoy a decent standard of living. Gender equity, on the other hand, refers to the fairness of treatment for women and men, according to their respective needs. This includes equal treatment or treatment that is different but considered equivalent in terms of rights, benefits, obligations, and opportunities.

Relation between Gender Equity and Human Development:

1. Empowerment and Capabilities: Gender equity is a fundamental component of human development because it ensures that all individuals, regardless of gender, have equal opportunities to develop their full potential and participate in society. When women and girls are denied access to education, healthcare, economic opportunities, or political participation, their capabilities are restricted, which in turn limits the overall human development of a nation.
2. Economic Growth and Productivity: Societies with greater gender equity tend to experience higher economic growth and productivity. When women are educated and have equal access to employment and entrepreneurship, they contribute significantly to the workforce, innovation, and economic output. Conversely, gender inequality represents a massive waste of human capital and potential.
3. Health and Well-being: Gender equity positively impacts health outcomes. Empowered women are more likely to make informed decisions about their own health and that of their children, leading to lower maternal and child mortality rates, better nutrition, and improved public health. Access to reproductive health services and education for women is crucial for overall societal well-being.
4. Education and Knowledge: Ensuring equal access to education for girls and boys is a cornerstone of human development. Educated women are more likely to educate their children, leading to intergenerational benefits in terms of literacy, skills, and knowledge, which are vital for societal progress.
5. Political Participation and Governance: Gender equity in political representation leads to more inclusive and representative governance. When women participate in decision-making processes, policies are more likely to address the needs and concerns of all segments of society, leading to more equitable and effective development outcomes.
6. Social Justice and Rights: Gender equity is a matter of social justice and human rights. Denying rights and opportunities based on gender is a violation of fundamental human dignity and creates systemic inequalities that hinder overall societal progress and stability.

In essence, human development cannot be fully achieved without gender equity. When half of the population (women) is systematically disadvantaged, a society cannot reach its full potential in terms of economic prosperity, social well-being, or political stability. Gender equity is not just about fairness; it is a strategic imperative for sustainable human development.

Commonly Used Gender-Related Indices:

Several indices are used to measure gender disparities and their impact on human development. These include:

1. Gender Inequality Index (GII): Introduced by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the GII measures gender inequalities in three important aspects of human development: reproductive health (maternal mortality ratio and adolescent birth rate), empowerment (proportion of parliamentary seats occupied by women and proportion of adult women and men with at least some secondary education), and economic status (labor force participation rate of women and men).
2. Gender Development Index (GDI): Also from the UNDP, the GDI measures gender gaps in human development achievements by comparing the HDI values for women and men. It considers disparities in life expectancy, education (mean years of schooling and expected years of schooling), and income (GNI per capita).
3. Global Gender Gap Index (GGGI): Published by the World Economic Forum (WEF), this index measures gender-based gaps in access to resources and opportunities in four key areas: Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health and Survival, and Political Empowerment.
4. Gender Empowerment Measure (GEM): An older index from the UNDP (now largely replaced by GII), the GEM focused on women's participation in economic and political decision-making. It measured women's power over economic resources and their participation in political life.
5. Women's Economic Opportunity Index (WEOI): This index, developed by The Economist Intelligence Unit, assesses the conditions for women's economic participation in various countries, looking at factors like labor policy, access to finance, education, and social norms.

These indices provide valuable tools for policymakers and researchers to identify areas of gender inequality, track progress over time, and formulate targeted interventions to promote gender equity and, consequently, accelerate human development.