Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Women related issues;
Why in the News?
Increasing the number of women in the workforce is not just about equality and it is also essential for economic growth.
What are their challenges in enabling women’s economic participation in India?
- Unpaid Care Work Burden: Women in India spend 7.2 hours per day on unpaid domestic work, compared to 2.8 hours by men (Time Use in India Report, 2019). This leaves them with less time for paid employment.
- Example: Many women drop out of the workforce after marriage due to caregiving responsibilities, particularly in rural areas where childcare facilities are scarce.
- Lack of Formal Part-time Employment: India lacks legally regulated part-time work, unlike OECD countries where part-time work is protected by law and provides benefits.
- Example: According to the NCAER study (2024), 57% of women prefer part-time jobs for flexibility, but due to the absence of formal options, many take low-wage, informal sector jobs without security.
- Gender Discrimination and Wage Gap: Women in India earn only 77% of what men earn for the same work (World Economic Forum, Global Gender Gap Report 2023).
- Example: The STEM sector in India has only 16% female representation, limiting women’s access to high-paying jobs and leadership roles.
- Limited Access to Safe and Affordable Transport: Lack of safe and reliable transport restricts women’s mobility for work, especially in cities with high crime rates against women.
- Example: A study by Ola Mobility Institute (2022) found that over 50% of women in Delhi and Mumbai reject job opportunities due to safety concerns while commuting.
- Low Financial and Digital Literacy: Women in India have lower financial and digital literacy, limiting their participation in modern, high-skilled jobs and entrepreneurship.
- Example: According to the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21), only 33% of Indian women use the Internet, reducing their access to online job markets and digital banking.
What are the Study and Findings from the LFPR Report?
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What are the steps taken by the government?
- Maternity and Childcare Support – The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 increased paid maternity leave to 26 weeks, and schemes like PM Matru Vandana Yojana provide financial aid to pregnant women.
- Skill Development and Entrepreneurship – Programs like PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) train women in various skills, while Mudra Yojana and Stand-Up India provide financial support for women entrepreneurs.
- Workplace Safety and Legal Protections – The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013 ensures safer workplaces and the Working Women’s Hostels Scheme provides secure housing for working women.
Way forward:
- Policy Reforms for Flexible Work and Social Security: Introduce formal part-time work laws with pro-rated wages and benefits, ensuring job security and flexibility for women. Expand paid parental leave and affordable childcare facilities to reduce the unpaid care work burden.
- Improving Safety, Mobility, and Digital Inclusion: Strengthen safe public transport infrastructure and women-only commuting options to enhance workplace accessibility. Promote financial and digital literacy programs, ensuring women’s participation in online job markets and entrepreneurship.
Mains PYQ:
Q ‘Women’s movement in India has not addressed the issues of women of lower social strata.’ Substantiate your view. (UPSC IAS/2018)
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