(General Studies III – Economy Section – Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment.
Inclusive Growth and issues arising from it.)
- The female workforce in India is the percentage of women aged 15 and older who are active in the labour force, which is defined as people who work to produce goods and services.
- Currently it stands at 32.8% as of April 2023 according to Periodic Labour Participation Survey.
Distribution –
- Across Region share of women owners and workers in unincorporated enterprises was relatively high in the southern States, according to the recently released Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector 2022-23.
- It remained low in the western, northern, and central States.
- Across Sector
- In Rural in areas, female Labour Force Participation Rate has increased to 36.6% during 2021-22 as compared to 24.6% in 2017-18.
- Urban Female Labour Force Participation Rate was 23.8% in 2021-22 as compared to 20.4% in 2017-18 in urban areas, showed an increase of just 3.4% points.
- Across professions out of 32.8% the breakdown is
- Self-Employed 19.7%
- Regular wages/ salaried 5.3%
- Casual Labour 6.8%
- Unemployed 1.1%
Why do we need Women Participation in workforce?
- Economic growth: Women’s earnings increase household income, which can lead to more consumption of goods and services, and ultimately to higher GDP.
- Demographic dividend: Increasing numbers of women in the labour market can help drive the demographic dividend.
- Inclusive development: Women’s participation in the labour force and access to decent work can help ensure an inclusive and sustainable development.
Causes of Low Women’s Labour Participation –
- Patriarchal Social Norms: Societal expectations may prioritize women’s roles as caregivers and homemakers.
- Gender Wage Gap: According to World Inequality Report, 2022, men in India capture 82% of labour income, while women earn just 18%.
- Unpaid Care Work: Females busy in their domestic activities are not paid for the labour they perform such as child care, free collection of goods, sewing, tailoring, weaving, etc. For household use.
- Gender Biased Social Norms: there are many barriers that women faces such as societal expectations to legal and economic constraints in their pursuit of employment.
- Caste Discrimination: limitations in social mobility. Historically, people from the lower castes have been expected to engage in manual and domestic work.
Government Initiatives to Improve Women Labour Force Participation –
- The Code on Social Security, 2020: It has the provisions for enhancement in paid maternity leave and mandatory crèche facility.
- The Code on Wages 2019: It has provisions on matters relating to wages in respect of work of similar nature done by any employee.
- Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme: It was launched with the objective to guarantee the survival, women safety, and education of female children.
- The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013: It was enacted to ensure safe working spaces for women, provide protection against sexual harassment of women at workplace.
- Lakhpati Didi: Promoting women’s Self help group across India and providing collateral free loans.
Way Forward –
- Improve Access to Quality Education: Focus on improving access to quality education for all women, irrespective of caste or economic background.
- Combating Caste Discrimination: Implement affirmative action policies to address caste-based discrimination and promote inclusivity.
- Role of SHG in Women Empowerment: Self Help Groups (SHG) such as Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahila Mandal, UMED Abhiyan have proven beneficial in the development of women entrepreneurship.
- Vocational Training: It is closely related with economic growth with capability to create employment for their income generation.
- Promoting Gender-Neutral Social Norms: Encourage positive portrayals of women in diverse roles through media and educational programs.
Women’s participation across all sectors is not only a matter of fairness and justice but also a practical necessity for achieving sustainable development and prosperity. The benefits of women’s participation are wide-ranging, impacting economic growth, social development, political representation, cultural norms, and innovation.
