The Measure Of The Working Woman

Relevance: GS1 - Role of Women and Womens Organization; GS2 - Issues Relating to Development

(Source: The Hindu, 10/19/2023)

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Why in the news?

• This article is based on ‘The measure of the working woman,’ which was published in ‘The Hindu,’ on 19/10/2023, has emphasized the need for India to include women in its economic growth plans to become a $5 trillion economy.
• As per a report by the State Bank of India (SBI), unpaid work carried out by women makes a substantial contribution to the economy, accounting for 7.5% of the Gross Domestic Product.

Gender Disparities in Unpaid Domestic Work

• Research Insights: Economist Claudia Goldin's Nobel Prize-winning work in 2023 highlights the historical trend in the United States, revealing that all women engage in work, but not all of them are compensated. This observation is reflective of the gender disparities in unpaid domestic work.
• Indian Time Use Survey 2020: The first national Time Use Survey in India, conducted by the National Statistical Office in 2020, provides substantial evidence of these disparities, indicating that 81.2% of women are involved in unpaid domestic services, while only 26.1% of men partake in such activities.
• Economic Activity vs. Domestic Work: Men devote an average of 42 hours to activities within the production boundary, which is traditionally considered economic activity, while women allocate just 19 hours to such tasks.
  • However, women invest a substantial 34.6 hours in household maintenance and caring for children, the sick, and the elderly, a figure significantly higher than the 3.6 hours spent by men.

*To read the article ‘Women Do 7 Hours Of Housework, Men Under 3 Hours’, click here

Status of Women Workforce in India

• India is currently experiencing one of the world's swiftest economic expansions, and by 2030, it is anticipated to secure the position of the third-largest global economy, trailing only the U.S. and China.
• Notably, like many other nations, India's progress is significantly accelerated by the inclusion of women in its workforce.
• As per the latest available Annual Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Reports, the estimated Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) on usual status for women of age 15 years and above in the country was 30.0% in 2019-20, 32.5% in 2020-21and 32.8% during 2021-22, which shows an increasing trend.

Several Challenges related to Women's Participation in the Workforce in India

• Unpaid Domestic Work: Women in India are disproportionately engaged in unpaid domestic services, including household maintenance, childcare, and caring for the sick and elderly. This leaves them with a significant burden of responsibilities at home, making it challenging for them to work outside the home.
• Double Burden: Working women in India often face a "double burden" as they are expected to contribute to family income through employment while also managing household duties. This imbalance can result in stress and exhaustion.
• Economic Invisibility: Women's care work is not typically counted in official economic estimates, leaving their significant contributions to the economy unrecognized. This has implications for labor and employment policies, which may not adequately address the needs of working women.
• Irregular Work Patterns: Women, especially those from low-income families, often have irregular and sporadic work patterns due to domestic obligations. They may need to care for children or contribute to family businesses from within the home, limiting their ability to pursue regular employment.
• Child Care Barriers: Child care responsibilities often keep women from maintaining regular employment. This can lead to situations where women work with their children present, potentially in unsafe environments.
• Low Labor Force Participation: India's female labor force participation rate is lower than many neighboring countries, indicating a significant underutilization of women in the workforce.
• Limited Support Services: While some child care services like the Anganwadi system and private creches exist, they may have limited availability, leaving working women with insufficient options to balance work and caregiving responsibilities.

How can Higher Women Labor Participation impact the Society?

• Economic Growth: Women's increased participation in the workforce boosts economic productivity and can lead to higher GDP and overall prosperity.
• Poverty Reduction: Providing women with income-generating opportunities helps lift households out of poverty, leading to improved living standards.
• Human Capital Development: Educated and economically active women positively influence their children's education and health outcomes, resulting in long-term benefits.
• Gender Equality and Empowerment: More women in the workforce challenge traditional gender roles, promoting equality, economic empowerment, and autonomy.
• Fertility and Population Control: Women's increased labor force participation is linked to lower fertility rates, leading to sustainable population growth through improved access to education and family planning.
• Reduced Gender-Based Violence: Economic empowerment enhances women's autonomy and reduces vulnerability to gender-based violence.
• Labor Market Efficiency: More women in the workforce address skill shortages and labor market imbalances, leading to a more efficient allocation of talent and resources.

What are some of the initiatives for working women?

• National Creche Scheme: It is a centrally sponsored scheme being implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. It aims to provide day care facilities to children of working mothers.
• Working Women Hostels scheme: It is implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. It aims to ensure safe accommodation for women working away from their place of residence.
• Mission Shakti: It comprises of two sub-schemes ‘Sambal’ and ‘Samarthya’ for safety and security of women and the empowerment of women respectively.
• Anganwadi system: It is the largest public system for child services which has reached 80 million children of up to six years of age through 1.4 million centres.
• Women Entrepreneurship Portal: Niti Aayog has started Women Entrepreneurship Portal, for hand holding programs for women and proving business models for their work. This will encourage more women to take up Entrepreneurial projects and increase their economic footprint.

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