India has one of the highest unemployment rates in women

News: According to the OECD Economic Survey of India report, India is one of the worst countries for working women.

Facts:

• According to the report, India has the largest difference between the employment rates of women and men among OECD nations at 52%. India is followed by Turkey.
• The employment gap between women and men is highest 15 to 29 years bracket

Additional Information:

Steps taken by the Indian Government to encourage women participation in the workforce:

1. Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP): The scheme aims to provide skills that give employability to women and to provide competencies and skills that enable women to become self-employed/entrepreneurs.
2. Mahila E-Haat: It is a direct online marketing platform leveraging technology for supporting women entrepreneurs/SHGs/ NGOs for showcasing their products/services.
3. Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme for Children of Working Mothers: It seeks to provide daycare facilities for children (0-6 years) of working mothers.
4. Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017: It provides for enhancement in paid maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks and provisions for mandatory crèche facility in the establishments having 50 or more employees. However, the provisions have largely been responsible for low hiring women in formal sectors especially in start-ups and SMEs
5. The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013: It seeks to protect women against sexual harassment at all workplaces both in public and private sector, whether organized or unorganized

About OECD:

• The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an intergovernmental economic organization with 36 member countries
•  It was founded in 1961 to stimulate economic progress and world trade. It is headquartered in Paris, France.
•  It works to build better policies for better lives. Its goal is also to shape policies that foster prosperity, equality, opportunity, and well-being for all.
• India is not a member of OECD but has been a key economic partner.