Why in the News?

The tragic death of 26-year-old Chartered Accountant Anna Sebastian Perayil in Pune has sparked debate about professional workload in India, with her mother citing “work stress” as the cause.

What does the ILO data observe about Professional Indian women? 

• Longest Working Hours Globally: Indian women in professions like information technology (IT), media, and professional, scientific, and technical fields work the highest number of hours globally. Women in IT and media jobs worked 56.5 hours weekly, while women in professional, scientific, and technical fields worked 53.2 hours per week in 2023.
• Young Professional Women Work More: Younger women, especially those aged 15-24, work even longer hours. For instance, young women in IT and media work 57 hours per week, and those in professional, scientific, and technical fields work 55 hours per week.
• Gender Imbalance in Workforce: Indian women are underrepresented in these sectors. Only 8.5% of the Indian workforce in professional, scientific, and technical jobs and 20% in information and communication jobs are women. This low percentage is among the lowest globally.
• Global Comparison: In countries like Germany, women in similar IT and media jobs work far fewer hours (32 hours weekly). Russia reports 40 hours for the same sector, highlighting how disproportionately longer Indian women work.

Major Challenges in Indian Society:

• Workload Stress: The tragic death of Anna Sebastian highlights the intense workload stress that young professionals, especially women, face. High demands and long working hours can severely affect mental and physical health.
• Male-Dominated Workspaces: Women in professional fields face challenges working in male-dominated environments, which can result in increased pressure, lack of support, and issues of gender equity.
• Systemic Gender Inequality: Despite rising participation in the workforce, the gender imbalance in professional sectors reflects deeper societal and structural inequalities. Women continue to face barriers to career advancement, equal representation, and fair treatment.
• Lack of Support: The absence of adequate organizational support during personal tragedies (as indicated by Anna’s case) points to a lack of empathy and a toxic work culture in certain professional settings.

Government Initiatives:

• Women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics): The Indian government has launched several initiatives to encourage women’s participation in technical and scientific fields, including scholarships, mentorship programs, and awareness campaigns (e.g., GATI initiative).
• Maternity Benefits: The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017, increased paid maternity leave for women from 12 weeks to 26 weeks, aimed at helping women balance work and family life.
• Gender Equality Programs: Initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao promote girls’ education and empowerment, aiming to address the long-term gender imbalance in professional spaces.
• Skill Development Initiatives: Government programs like Skill India and Digital India aim to provide technical and vocational training to women, helping bridge the gender gap in high-skill industries such as IT and professional services.

Way forward: 

• Work-Life Balance Reforms: Enforce stricter labour regulations on working hours and promote flexible work arrangements to reduce burnout, particularly for young professionals in high-demand sectors.
• Inclusive Workplaces: Strengthen gender diversity and equity initiatives within male-dominated industries by fostering supportive work environments, mentorship programs, and leadership opportunities for women.

Mains PYQ:

Q What are the continued challenges for Women in India against time and space?  (UPSC IAS/2019)

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