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Ethnic and gender differences in female labour force participation

23 Jan 2024 Ethnic and gender differences in female labour force participation

Posted at 13:00h in Daily current-affairs by
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Source – The Hindu and PIB.

General Studies – Social Justice, Gender Equality, Global Gender Gap Index, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Periodic Labor Force Survey Report, Equal Work – Equal Pay.

Why in the News ?

  • Recently, India has been ranked 127th among 146 countries in the World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Gender Gap Index 2023. In the year 2022, India was at 135th position. Therefore, the Global Gender Gap Index 2023 indicates improvement in the gender-based female labour force ranking in India.
  • There is a wide gap between developing countries and emerging economies in terms of women’s participation in the labor force. This gap is much wider than the gap in men’s participation.
  • India’s situation is worse than most of the developing countries of the world. Whereas in a country like India, it would not be an exaggeration to truly call female labor force participation the engine of economic growth. Looking at the status of female labor force participation rate, there is an indication of the country’s potential for rapid development.
  • The social norms of India are such that women are expected to take responsibility for taking care of the family and taking care of children. This stereotype is a significant barrier to women’s labor force participation. However, the relationship between women’s participation in the labor market and macro development outcomes is complex. Despite substantial participation in the labor force, the condition of women workers in the country is pathetic. Necessary measures are needed to improve it.

Major reasons for increase in women’s participation in the labor force :

  • According to the Government of India, the female labour force participation rate (LFPR) in the country has increased compared to before. The central government said that the participation of women in the country’s labor force has increased by 4.2 percent to 37 percent. According to data shared by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the female labor force participation rate increased to 24.5 percent in 2018-19 from 23.3 percent in 2017-18.
  • According to the data available in the year 2019-20, the female labor force participation rate was 30 percent, which increased to 32.5 percent in 2020-21. This rate was 32.8 percent in 2021-22, which increased to 37 percent in 2022-23. The ministry said the Periodic Labor Force Survey Report 2022-23, released by the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation on October 09, 2023, shows that the female labor force participation rate in the country has increased by 4.2 per cent to 37 per cent in 2023.

Moving towards women empowerment :

  • This significant progress in the female labor force participation rate is a result of the Government’s decisive program to ensure women empowerment through policy initiatives aimed at the long-term socio-economic and political development of women. Government initiatives span the life cycle of women, including large-scale initiatives for girls’ education, skill development, entrepreneurship facilitation and safety in the workplace. Policies and laws in these areas are furthering the government’s ‘women-led development’ agenda.

What is a Periodic Labour Force Survey ?

  • The National Statistical Office launched the Periodic Labor Force Survey in April 2017. Its main objective is to estimate the key employment and labour-population ratio, labor force participation rate, unemployment rate at a short-term interval of three months for urban areas only in the ‘Current Weekly Situation’ (CWS), both rural and urban areas, annually. The objective is to estimate employment and unemployment indicators in both normal cases (PS+SS) and CWS.

Increase in participation of women in the labour force :

  • Women’s participation in the labor force is directly related to economic growth. When a significant portion of the female population is underutilized it results in loss of potential productivity and economic output. Increasing women’s participation in the labor force can contribute to higher GDP and overall economic prosperity.

Helpful in getting out of poverty line :

  • The Government’s flagship program to ensure women empowerment by providing women access to income-earning opportunities can help their families move out of the poverty line, thereby improving their quality of life and enhancing the well-being of their families. The situation may improve.
  • Women’s labor supply increases household income, helping those families escape poverty and increase consumption of goods and services.

Major reasons for low participation of women in the labor force in India :

Patriarchal nature of Indian society :

  • The nature of the social system of Indian society is patriarchal. The age-old and deeply rooted patriarchal system and traditional gender roles in Indian society often limit women’s access to education and employment opportunities.
  • The social expectations of Indian society view women as efficient housewives and caretakers of their families, thereby reducing and discouraging their active participation in the labor force.

Pay gap based on gender identity :

  • Women in India are often not provided equal pay for equal work based on gender identity. Women in India often face pay disparities compared to men.
  • According to the World Inequality Report, 2022, in India, while 82% of men received income from labour-based work, only 18% of women were in the category of workers.
  • Not receiving equal pay for equal work and this wage gap discourages women from seeking formal employment opportunities.

Household workload and unpaid care work :

  • Women in India often shoulder the burden of domestic work and unpaid care work, which has a disproportionate and inequitable social impact on women. As a result, women in India have their time and energy largely limited for paid employment.
  • Married women in India spend an average of more than 7 hours per day on household work and unpaid care work, while men in India spend only an average of less than 3 hours per day on household tasks.
  • The main factor leading to this trend of significant gender disparity in household responsibilities in India is the consistency across income levels and caste groups, leading to gender inequality.
  • This unequal distribution of women’s responsibilities towards household work in India is a significant barrier to women’s participation in the labor force.

Cultural and social factors towards women :

 

  • In some societies and communities in India, there is a tendency to associate women working outside the home with immorality in their character and sexual relations. As a result, the stigma or resistance associated with sexual relations among women reduces the labor force participation rate of women in India.

Statistics of Female Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) :

  • Despite an increase in the enrollment rate of girls in Class 10 in India, India’s female labor force participation rate has declined from 30% to 24% over the past two decades.
  • Be it an educated woman or an uneducated woman in India. The burden of domestic work on all women, whether literate or illiterate, is a major factor contributing to reducing female LFPR.
  • India’s female LFPR (24%) is also the lowest compared to South Asian countries and BRICS countries.
  • Even in China, the most populous country in the world, only 61% women are included in the LFPR.
  • Women who are not in the labor force spend the most time on unpaid domestic/care work, averaging 457 minutes (7.5 hours) per day.
  • Working women spend 348 minutes (5.8 hours) per day on such tasks, impacting their ability to engage in paid work.

Helpful in economic development :

  • Women’s participation in the labor force is directly linked to their economic development. When a significant portion of the female population remains under- or underutilized, it results in loss of potential productivity and economic output.
  • Increasing women’s labor force participation can contribute to higher gross domestic product (GDP) and overall economic prosperity.

Helpful in eradicating poverty :

  • When women have access to income-generating opportunities, it can lift those families out of poverty, improving their quality of life and improving the well-being of their families.

Positive impact on education and health outcomes and helpful in human capital development:

  • Economically capable, educated and self-reliant women can positively impact the education and health outcomes of their children in Indian society, providing intergenerational benefits.

Gender equality and empowerment :

  • Higher participation of women in the labor force can challenge traditional gender roles and norms, thereby promoting gender equality.
  • Economic empowerment enables women to have greater control over their lives, decision-making power and autonomy.

Helpful in stopping population growth and reducing fertility rate :

  • Women’s participation and increase in the labor force rate also helps in curbing population growth. As women’s labor force participation increases, the fertility rate also declines. This phenomenon, known as the “fertility transition”, is associated with improved access to education, health care, and family planning.

Reduction in domestic and sexual violence :

  • Increasing economic empowerment and self-reliance among women also reduces domestic and gender-based violence and women are able to make themselves independent, strong and self-reliant.

Helpful in removing imbalance in labour market :

  • Increasing the participation rate of women in the labor force is helpful in addressing the shortage of skilled and skilled workers and labor market imbalances, thereby ensuring appropriate talent and efficient allocation of resources.

Government initiatives towards women empowerment:

  • One Stop Center Scheme

  • Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme

  • Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK)

  • Swadhar Grih

  • Nari Shakti Award

  • women police volunteers

  • Nirbhaya Fund. Etcetera.

Conclusion/ Solution of the problem :

  • There should be recognition of a comprehensive assessment of all types of work, both formal and informal, performed by women. The main objective of discussion on gender equality should be based on improving the living standards of women and women empowerment.
  • Any policy solution related to women’s life should be a corrective effort keeping in mind the women’s own cultural context and increasing their autonomy and flexible work options in their life.
  • Higher participation of women in the labor force should be promoted and supported as an important factor of social progress and development of any society, because women empowerment is not just a matter of gender equality, but it is also about social equality and empowerment of women. There is also an issue related to their human identity.
  • In the workforce for the economic development of any nation or society, its poverty reduction and better human capital, as well as the creation of more inclusive and equitable societies that can benefit entire communities. The full potential of women should be utilized, so that the path to building an inclusive, just and equitable society and nation can be paved.

Practice Questions for Preliminary Exam :

Q.1. Consider the following statements with reference to Global Gender Gap Index 2023.

  1. The Global Gender Gap Index is released by the Ministry of Women Empowerment of the World Bank.
  2. According to the Global Gender Gap Index 2023, India is ranked 96th among 146 countries, whereas in the year 2022, India’s rank was 113th.
  3. The Periodic Labor Force Survey report in India is released by the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation, Government of India.
  4. Most of the Indian society is matriarchal, hence the participation of women in the labor force is highest in India.

Which of the above statement /statements is correct ?

(A) Only  1, 2 and 3 

(B) Only 2, 3 and 4

(C ) Only 1 and 4

(D)  Only 3

Answer – (D)

Practice Questions for Main Exam :

Q.1. Highlighting the various aspects of increase in women’s participation in the labor force in India, discuss how it is proving to be a ‘millstone’ towards women empowerment in India?

 

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