Women Participation in Workforce

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Context: The Periodic Labor Force Survey has estimated that the Worker Population Ratio (WPR) for male and female was 73.0% and 28.7% respectively.

 

Details:

• The Periodic Labor Force Survey conducted by National Statistical Office, Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MOSPI).
• As per the latest report available for the year 2019-20, the estimated Worker Population Ratio (WPR) for aged 15 years and above both for male and female was 73.0% and 28.7% respectively.
  • Highest Female participation in workforce was seen in Himachal Pradesh (63%)
  • Lowest Female participation in workforce was seen in Bihar (9.5%)
  • State and UTs with more than 50% female participation in workforce
    • Himachal Pradesh (63%)
    • Sikkim (58%)
    • Chhattisgarh (52%)
    • Dadra & Nagar Haveli (52%)
    • Ladakh (51%)

 

Challenges faced by Women Workforce in India:

• Only 28.7% of Indian women are working.
• More women in the rural area in the labor force Compared to Urban areas.
• Gender wage gaps remain in every employment.
• Double burden on women: Balancing employment and domestic responsibilities (including household chores and care giving).
• Safety concerns, Sexual harassment at work place.
• Migration, Unfair Sex ratio, Environmental degradation have added to the women’s vulnerability
• India is a male dominated Society in which the Economic, Political, Religious, Social and Cultural institutions are largely controlled by men.
• Control over women’s livelihood Choices and Sexuality has existed and evolved over Centuries through various discriminatory Social Practices and Institutions.
• Despite laws, gender based discrimination against women Continue in Indian Society. Clearly shows the laws and gaps in their implementation.
• Structure of Judicial remedies is still insufficient to serve the needs of women, Particularly Poor and marginalized women, in accessing justice.
• Development Programmes introduced to bring gender equality have Produced mixed results. Legislative Changes have faced resistance in their implementation due to Social, Cultural and religious Customs.

 

Steps taken by Government:

• Scheme for Adolescent Girls aims at girls in the age group 11-18, to empower and improve their social status through nutrition, life skills, home skills and vocational training
• Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra scheme, promote community participation through the involvement of Student Volunteers for the empowerment of rural women
• National Crèche Scheme to provide daycare facilities to children of the age group of 6 months to 6 years of working women who are employed.
• Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK) to provide micro-credit to poor women for various livelihood support and income-generating activities at concessional terms
• Working Women Hostels for ensuring safe accommodation for women working away from their place of residence.
• SABLA Scheme, Providing life Skills and Supplementary nutrition to out of School girls
• Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act 2013 - Cover all women, of all age , both in public and private sector, whether organized or unorganized.
• The Government enhanced paid maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks, provision for mandatory crèche facilities in the establishments having 50 or more employees, permitting women workers in the night shifts with adequate safety measures, etc.
• The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 now subsumed in the Code on Wages, 2019 provides that there shall be no discrimination in an establishment on the ground of gender in matters relating to wages by the same employer, in respect of the same work or work of similar nature done by any employee.
• To enhance the employability of female workers, the Government is providing training to them through a network of Women Industrial Training institutes, National Vocational Training Institutes and Regional Vocational Training Institutes.

 

Way Forward:

• Formulate Integrate Policy of Work, Livelihoods, Earnings and Poverty.
• Improve women’s access to Credit, skills, marketing.
• Pay regular wages to Asha workers, Anganwadi teachers and helpers, cooks for mid‐day meals and regularize their employment.
• Improve working conditions for women.
• Investments in childcare facilities and toilets for women at all workplaces.
• Sensitisation on issues such as sexual division of labour within the home through large scale media advertisement.
• Implementation of minimum wage laws.
• Enable universal access to high quality public health care facilities and support for women's care.
• All women workers should have identity cards and be covered under Unorganized Sector Social Security Act, 2008.
• Secure and uphold women’s ownership rights over basic productive resources like land - Create equal rights to property.
• Focus on primary health so that private expenses and indebtedness on account of health and hospitalization can be eliminated.
• A minimum social security package available to all citizens that include life insurance, disability insurance, health insurance, and pensions offered through multiple distribution channels.
• Safer transport and cities, Change at home with an equitable distribution of work traditionally done by women.
• Change in Social norms and mindsets towards girls and women Can be brought about through institutional initiatives. This involves the family, Community, religious and educational institutions.
• Strengthen and ensure implementation of economic and Social Policies for gender equality.

 

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1805783