Factors that hinder women’s participation in the formal workforce are-

1. Family Responsibilities- Family responsibilities play a major role in women’s participation in the workforce. Women are considered as primary caretakers in the family. Taking care of children turns out to be a full-time responsibility for a woman which automatically limits their availability for full-time demanding jobs.  Also, if there are elderly members in the family then it’s expected from the women to take care of the elderly members which is time-consuming, and between all this, it becomes difficult for a woman to take out time for a full-time Job.

2. Wage Disparity- This is also one of the major reasons, that limit women’s participation in the workforce. We all know that wages and salary keep the employee motivated and increase their involvement and engagement in the organization. But if the organization pays less to the women compared to male colleagues, then it will automatically decrease the morale of the person(women) which will lead to less involvement and engagement in the workplace. Also, lower wages or salaries limit the ability of women to invest in further education or professional development which is necessary for career advancement and high-paying jobs. Women’s contribution is undervalued in the workforce as compared to men, so it results in demotivation and less contribution to work.

3. Workforce environment- Sexual harassment or gender-biased discrimination can create a hostile work environment which automatically results in decreased job satisfaction, and mental health issues. The support system is really necessary but if it’s inadequate then it will impact the women and discourage them from working at certain workplaces. Also, it’s observed that women do have fewer responsibilities as compared to men which leads to limited career growth and advancement prospects. Also, women as leaders in the workforce are not supported actively which leads to a negative environment for women to work. Gender bias in performance evaluation at the workplace is also a reason which affects career progression and job satisfaction for women.

Measures to enhance women’s employment opportunities-

1. Flexible work arrangements- It will help women balance work and family responsibilities. It will be easy to manage childcare eldercare and household responsibilities along with their professional duties. This will reduce the stress and burden on women and will lead to better mental health. Flexible working hours can provide women the time they can invest in further training and enhancing their skills and career prospects.
2. Workplace Safety- This is one of the crucial factors that influence women’s participation in the workforce. Lack of safety discourages women from entering the workplace. A safe working environment is essential because it creates a healthy environment and also keeps motivated women to work consistently. Ensuring strict policies and a support system is crucial. Management should prioritize safety and security so that women are more likely to stay and work in the organization.
3. Career development programs- Career development programs play a crucial role in motivating women to enter a formal workplace. These programs help in develop skills and confidence which helps in career advancement. Continuous learnings programs insure helps individuals to be more effective in the workplace. There are various types of programs which should provide to the women so that it can help them in developing their skills and also in maintaining their work life balanced. If organizations will invest in the career development programs of employees especially women, then women will be more likely to stay in the organizations and will work more effectively. Such programs also educate women about their rights in the workplace which will help them to promote a fair working environment within the organization. That’s why organization should invest in such programs, and it will automatically lead the women to enter into formal workplaces.                          By addressing such factors will automatically lead to enhance women employment opportunities.