FEMALE LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION
WHY IN NEWS ?
- As per the latest available Annual PLFS Reports, the estimated Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) on usual status for women of age 15 years and above in the country was 30.0%, 32.5% and 32.8% during 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22, respectively, which shows an increasing trend.
IMPORTANT STATS:
- There is a notable rise in Rural Female Labour Force Participation Rate from 19.7 % in 2018-19 to 27.7% in 2020-21.
- In terms of share of employment (total persons engaged), the food products industry (11.1 per cent) remained the largest employer, followed by wearing apparel (7.6 per cent), basic metals (7.3 per cent), and motor vehicles, trailers, and semi-trailers (6.5 per cent).
- State-wise, Tamil Nadu had the largest number of persons engaged in factories (26.6 lakh), followed by Gujarat (20.7 lakh), Maharashtra (20.4 lakh), Uttar Pradesh (11.3 lakh), and Karnataka (10.8 lakh).
- According to the Union Budget 2022, the overall workforce participation rate in India is 20.3%.
- Female Labour Force Participation Rate has gone up to 25.1% in 2020-21 from 18.6% in 2018-19.
REASONS FOR LOW PARTICIPATION
- LACKING EDUCATION : Lack of education and employment skills forces them to work as daily wage casual labourers and prevents them from entering formal labour.
- The decision of and ability for women to participate in the labour force is the outcome of various economic and social factors that interact in a complex fashion at both the household and macrolevel.
- POOR NUTRITION : Dissimal income generated by labour work is insufficient for their nutritious food. The problem of malnourishment has been accentuated by increased food prices.
- DISCRIMINATION IN PAY : Women are paid way less for lifting piece weights. Physical constraints to lift mud, sand, wooden logs, and cement translates to less pay.
- MGNREGA: The act required that women should be prioritised in at least 1/3 rd. of beneficiaries but there has been lax implementation owing to reverse migration and unawareness.
WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE ?
- Ultimately, the goal is not merely to increase female labour force participation, but to provide opportunities for decent work that will, in turn, contribute to the economic empowerment of women.
- There is a need to shift the established gender narratives and notions and ensure the upward mobility of women in various fields by providing equal and favourable environment.
- Focus on formal education and vocational skill development.
- Apart from this, it was also said that if the participation of women in the economy becomes equal to that of men, the GDP of India GDP (Gross Domestic Product) can be increased by 60% in the year 2025.
Syllabus: Prelims,Indian economy