Working women numbers fall steadily in India, says an analysis
July 27 : India is one of those countries which fights the most for women empowerment and equality. We are those who scream out slogans regarding Feminism and how it will lead to further growth of a country.
With all these movements taking place across the country, we missed out on the faling number of working women in the country. If not in rural, women born and bought up in urban cities are given proper education and aminities for their growth in terms of career. But where are all these women?
According to reports of Huffington Post, ” findings of the National Sample Survey (68th Round) results indicated that in 2011-2012, 24.8 of every 100 women worked in rural areas. The corresponding number when it came to men was 54.3. Women’s participation was drastically less in urban areas. To every 54.6 employed men, there were just 14.7 working women.”
Huffington Post qoutes The Indian Express by saying that, ”the participation of rural women in the workforce has fallen sharply in India. It says, that compared to 49% in 2005, only 36% rural women were found to be a part of the workforce in 2012.”
Meanwhile, ”Over the last decade, women’s participation in the labor force has seen a dramatic decline. Latest government statistics suggest that women’s labor participation rate fell from 29.4 percent in 2004-2005 to 22.5 percent in 2011-2012. The gender gap in the labor force is particularly stark when we consider that in the 15-59 age group, women’s participation is only 32 percent in rural areas compared to 83 percent for men, and 21 percent in urban areas compared to 81 percent for men”, reports Asia Foundation.
Having said all this, it clearly proves that its not just the education that matters for women, its their professional career too. Afterall, what is the point of having knowledge if you can’t use it in your life. Hence, it is necessary to create more job opportunities in almost every sector including public transport, industries etc along with keeping their safety perspective in mind.
A decline in the number of urban working women will will also impact women in rural areas. As more women labour force demand comes in, rural women will also take initiatives to educate themselves and make a career. All it takes is one step towards making things right. However, its not easy for women to overcome social barriers that are created both by the society and parents which tells women that ‘if you want to be safe, be inside home’.
Another reason why women quit working is due to marital pressure. According to a survey, only around 30% of women in every state of the country continue working even after marriage and having a child.
Its high time that Indian government should come up with effective policy reforms that will not only deter women from being discriminated in professional sectors but also improve safety aspect in order encourage them.
