+ Follow
Photo by RDNE Stock project: Pexels

India's female (labour force participation rate) is just under 33 percent though it rose from 30 percent.

LFPR (Labour Force Participation Rate) is defined as the percentage of people in the labour force (that is working, seeking,  or available for work) among the population.

Women's workforce is still low in India although several measures and encouragement are done for women according to a recent survey. Surprisingly the enrollment of girls is increasing, and wage gaps between genders are lowering, still, women's participation in the workplace is low.

As per the World Economic Forum Report 2022, India ranked 135 out of 146 countries and post-COVID-19 has seen even less participation of women in the workplace.

Reasons: India has a number of reasons for women to hold back.

  1. Social protection: Most women feel insecure working in male-dominated places, night shifts, no transport provided, and unsafe societies while commuting by autos, buses, or metro rails.
  2. Statutory rights to leaves: Menstrual leaves or maternity leaves are never considered as rights of women to take care of themselves. The workplace considers it as a waste of labour and some even go to the extent of cut-off pay or salary.
  3. Care of families: More than 50 percent of women hold the value of care for families and homes. They are unable to perform jobs due to a lack of adjustment, sharing, and understanding while contributing to household chores.
  4. Time-related employment: It becomes difficult for women to work during night shifts. Overtime and extra duties cannot be for women as it becomes a hurdle for families and their safety issues.
  5. Health issues: Women in India pay more attention to unpaid household duties due to which it becomes difficult for them to pay attention to paid jobs.'Her Health' also becomes a concern.
  6. Priorities: Most women prioritize marriage, children, and domestic responsibilities forcing them to leave jobs.
  7. Gender discrimination: Sexual harassment, emotional trauma, negative comments, lower confidence in women's skills, family problems, low safety standards, no privacy zones, no waiting rooms, no nursery or child care rooms, no breastfeeding zones, no rest time zones which create lots of discomfort and women to suffocate
  8. Happiness: Most women feel jobs as unethical, non-pleasing, and in addition to their woes. They too need pleasure and happiness in work place. Needless to say,  some workplaces lack sanitation, proper washrooms, first aid, medical attention, and health checkups. Male chauvinistic dominance can never be happier.
  9. Low-quality jobs: Vulnerable conditions in the workplace are increasing day by day. The dignity of labour, safety, and fairness are key factors and rights of every woman. Socioeconomic conditions force women to work but that cannot be made their weakness.
  10. Considering women as unskilled: Women's modesty and dignity must be protected but often it fails. Their potential must be tapped and utilised in the right direction.
  11. Societal norms and gender roles: Social status, the dignity of certain jobs, gender responsibilities, and high expectations of family and children don't allow females to take a foot forward.
  12. 'Super-woman syndrome': Women have a tendency to feel guilty if they are unable to perform all tasks at the same time.This results in fatigue, exhaustion, depression, mental disorders, etc.
  13. Being recognized: Simple appreciation and recognition are all a woman needs.
  14. Safety norms: Transport facility, security, safety groups, civilized behaviors, help groups, helpline numbers, regular monitoring of safety standards, and protection of their physical and mental health is all that is needed but unfortunately, many companies backlash against these norms.

Measures to be taken to improve working conditions:

  1. It is a Social responsibility to make women feel safe and protected. The workplace should focus on safety standards and time to time update safety status.
  2. Ensure paid maternity leave, restrooms during pregnancy and menstruation, proper health checkups, etc.
  3. Allow flexible work plans.
  4. Develop employee retention plans.
  5. Remote work for women be provided instead of eliminating her.
  6. Support work-life balance.
  7. Reduce commute time by arranging transport facility.
  8. Keep leadership approachable for everyone and should be adaptive.
  9. Inclusion of rural and urban women in 'Skill India and Make in India' project
  10. Involving women in company policies and solving their own problems.
  11. Equal parenting and sharing of responsibilities is the need of the hour.
  12. Protection of women's dignity and respect for their skills.
  13. Safety and security, upgradation of skills, making the workplace a happy place.

Do you know?

In rural areas, Himachal Pradesh has the maximum female workforce whereas in states, Tamil Nadu ranks highest.

The pandemic effect on women has been termed as "She-cession" by C. Nicole Mason, a women's policy, researcher and economist. She described how the pandemic had disproportionate impacts on women's careers. It worsened gender inequalities.

Equality for women is the progress for any country in all forms.

.    .    .

References:

Discus