The Government of India is set to introduce a national policy aimed at increasing female labour force participation. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to create a supportive environment for women, particularly through the establishment of a robust care economy. An inter-ministerial team is collaborating on this policy, bringing together expertise from various ministries.
About the Care Economy
The care economy encompasses activities related to providing care, both paid and unpaid. This includes direct care roles, such as childcare, and indirect roles, like cooking and cleaning. It also covers health care, education, and personal services. The aim is to recognise and enhance the contributions of caregivers, which is essential for supporting women’s participation in the workforce.
Impact of Marriage on Employment
Recent data from the World Bank marks decline in women’s employment following marriage in India. It reveals a drop of 12 percentage points in female employment rates post-marriage. This trend persists even without the presence of children, indicating systemic issues that need addressing to retain women in the workforce.
Policy Focus Areas
The forthcoming policy document will focus on creating a comprehensive caregiving infrastructure. It aims to provide child care facilities, particularly for women in the informal sector. This includes initiatives under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. A core skilling package for caregivers is also being considered to enhance the skill set of individuals involved in child care.
Existing Initiatives
The Ministry of Women and Child Development has launched the ‘Palna’ scheme, which supports working parents by offering day-care facilities. This programme caters to children aged six months to six years, focusing on health, nutrition, and cognitive development. Currently, 1,000 Anganwadi creches are operational under this initiative, providing essential services to working families.
Labour Force Participation Rates
Data from the Union Labour Ministry indicates that female labour force participation is higher in rural areas compared to urban settings. In 2021-2022, 36.6% of women aged 15 and above in rural areas were part of the labour force, while the figure was only 23.8% in urban areas. This disparity marks the need for targeted policies to enhance women’s employment opportunities across different regions.
Future Directions
The inter-ministerial team is working towards finalising the national policy document. It aims to address the barriers women face in the workforce, particularly after marriage. By strengthening the care economy and providing necessary support systems, the government seeks to empower women and improve their participation in economic activities.
Questions for UPSC:
- Examine the role of the care economy in enhancing female labour force participation in India.
- Discuss the implications of declining female employment post-marriage in India. What measures can be taken to mitigate this issue?
- Critically discuss the existing child care policies in India. How do they support working women?
- With suitable examples, discuss the differences in female labour force participation between rural and urban areas in India.
Answer Hints:
1. Examine the role of the care economy in enhancing female labour force participation in India.
- The care economy includes paid and unpaid activities essential for family and community well-being.
- It recognizes the contributions of caregivers, often women, thereby validating their roles in the economy.
- Establishing a robust care infrastructure can provide women with the support needed to enter or remain in the workforce.
- Policies aimed at enhancing childcare services can reduce the burden of domestic responsibilities on women.
- A thriving care economy can create job opportunities for women, further boosting their participation in various sectors.
2. Discuss the implications of declining female employment post-marriage in India. What measures can be taken to mitigate this issue?
- Post-marriage, female employment rates in India drop , indicating societal and structural barriers.
- This decline can lead to economic dependency and reduced decision-making power for women in households.
- Measures such as improved childcare facilities and flexible working hours can help retain women in the workforce.
- Awareness campaigns can challenge societal norms that discourage married women from working.
- Skill development programs targeted at married women can enhance their employability and reintegration into the workforce.
3. Critically discuss the existing child care policies in India. How do they support working women?
- The ‘Palna’ scheme provides day-care facilities for children of working parents, promoting workforce participation.
- Childcare policies focus on health, nutrition, and cognitive development, ensuring children are well-cared for.
- These policies aim to create a safe environment for children, allowing mothers to work without worry.
- However, the reach and effectiveness of these policies can vary, particularly in rural areas.
- Continued investment and expansion of childcare services are necessary to fully support working women.
4. With suitable examples, discuss the differences in female labour force participation between rural and urban areas in India.
- In 2021-2022, 36.6% of rural women participated in the labour force compared to 23.8% in urban areas.
- Rural women often engage in agriculture and informal work, which may not be formally recognized.
- Urban women face higher barriers such as lack of childcare and job opportunities in formal sectors.
- Initiatives like the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme support rural women’s employment more effectively.
- Urban policies need to address specific challenges like safety, transportation, and work-life balance to improve participation.
