Source: The post Challenges of Female Labour Force Participation (LFP) has been created, based on the article “Intersectionality of gender and caste in women’s participation in the labour force” published in “The Hindu” on 23rd January 2024.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper1- society- Salient features of Indian Society.
Challenges Of Female Labour Force Participation , This article discusses how women’s participation in India’s labor market is affected by caste and gender biases.
What challenges of Female Labour Force Participation (LFP)?
Limited Opportunities in Key Sectors: Structural issues in manufacturing and service sectors have led to limited employment opportunities, especially in the informal sector which involves about 90% of the workforce.
Read More – Female Labour Force Participation Rate- Explained
Conditional participation in economy: As per the analysis presented from seven states, women’s participation in informal rural work mainly increases due to two reasons:
First, when there are more households belonging to lower castes.
Second, when there are many households led by women.
However, in the second case, women work mainly when women-led households are financially weak. Whereas, women, even in the leading roles in families, are less likely to look for jobs when their households are financially stable.
Impact of Caste on Women’s Work: Higher caste women tend to participate less in the workforce due to better education and societal norms. Whereas lower caste women, driven by economic necessity, are more likely to work in informal sectors.
Education’s Role: Education level greatly influences women’s employment. Lower caste women often lack education, leading to jobs in the informal sector. While educated women, including those from lower castes, can access formal jobs due to affirmative action.
Societal Expectations: The prevalent belief that women should prioritize housework and caregiving roles over professional careers hinders their participation in the workforce.
Legal and Economic Barriers: Women encounter legal constraints in employment, such as restrictions on night shifts, alongside economic challenges in seeking jobs.
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Why is Women’s Workforce Participation Important?
Economic Independence: Women’s earnings increase their capacity to make decisions for their family, promoting independence.
Social and Domestic Benefits: Employed women tend to delay marriage and childbirth, enhancing family health and well-being.
Educational Impact on Children: A mother’s income is often associated with higher chances of her children’s schooling.
Resource Control: Women with control over resources face less domestic violence and enjoy more mobility.
Societal Improvement: Participation in the workforce leads to broader socio-economic benefits, contributing to a more educated and enlightened society.
Affirmative Action Benefits: Education and employment, especially for lower caste women, open opportunities in formal sectors, demonstrating the impact of affirmative action policies.
Way forward
To improve women’s employment in India, policies should focus on reducing gender and caste discrimination, enhancing access to education for all women, and creating more opportunities in formal sectors. Addressing societal norms that limit women’s workforce participation and implementing affirmative action policies effectively can lead to greater economic empowerment and social mobility for women across different castes.
Question for practice
Examine the factors that hinder women’s workforce participation in India, and their potential impact on society and the economy.
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