Why is the Female Labour Force Participation Rate Low in India?

This is in sharp contrast with the women of the country — even as India continues to reap what has been called its “sweet spot” economic growth based on the back of women’s education, fertility rates and other milestones — the Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) continues to throw up alarming results. While the country as a whole is doing well economically, it has one of the lowest FLFPRs in the world and this paradox needs urgent action and a more comprehensive set of solutions.

The Current Landscape

The recent FLFPR of India is presented as markedly low in 20-25%( at page 436 for year 2021 in ILO website) range at around world average of 47% or so. The troubling part in this story is that, nonetheless, India’s overall economic growth has been strong, with the country being one of the fastest-growing major economies of the world. Its achievements in areas like women’s education — where female literacy rates soared from 54% in 2001 to 70% in 2011, and continue to improve — have been recognised. Fertility rates have also fallen, from 3.4 in 1990 to just 2.0 in 2020, in line with global trends toward smaller family sizes.

Reasons for Low FLFPR

Social and cultural norms: A long-range rationalization of India’s low FLFPR is deeply entrenched social and cultural norms that restrict the value of women to have been at home. Those sort of traditional gender norms generally bound women to the hearth of the household, making it difficult for them to have the same access to the labor market. This is especially prevalent in rural communities, where conservatism abounds.

Gender Difference in education- Women literacy has increased, but still gender disparity in education quality and access to higher education. One phenomenon particularly notable among women, especially in rural areas, is a high dropout rate as girls are married off young or forced to help with household work and farming work. The high level of illiteracy and lack of skill development also restricts them from working in formal institutions.

Economic condition —Your database is Based on India which is possible up October 2023 still a well supposed part of India are in informal sector, In it the job provide but job or well-paid job is not assured. s female workers, particularly in the informal sector, are underpaid and do not ensure job security that restricts their participation in the labor force. Indeed, the concentration of births in poorer families is mirrored in a shortage of affordable childcare and flexible working arrangements, and has progressively led to an opposition between these work and family lives.

Legal & Policy Level Road Blocks- Women rights are protected by many laws in India but still they are facing a road block for employment — right from hiring discrimination to promotion discrimination. Also, one must factor in that enforcement of the laws and policies already in place to promote workplace gender equality is virtually non-existent.

6 Measures to Improve FLFPR

Promote Gender Responsiveness and Awareness: Mass drives and awareness forums questioning old age gender roles and recognition of female towards working field needs to be widely publicized and encouraged. Reach out to schools, community centers and others to help get the message out, which can ultimately lead to increased acceptance and better support of females.

Access to Quality Education: The access to quality education is a very important aspect for every girl to achieve, be it a higher education or a vocational education. That can all be the outcome of increased government investment in education, girls’ scholarships and retention programs.

Grow Economic Opportunities : Increasing stable, well-paying jobs in the formal sector helps in encouraging women to join the formal workforce. This would require policies that foster small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) and sectors such as textiles and healthcare, which have historically provided jobs for women.

We Will Need Family: Friendly Policies: With entrepreneurs will need policies to help with a proper work-life balance, where there will be flexible hours to work from home or face to face legitimate and affordable care services. Without a doubt, these steps would enable women to juggle their various responsibilities at home and at work with greater equilibrium.

Legal and Policy Mechanisms: Strengthening existing laws to protect women’s rights at the workplace and developing new policies to ensure gender equity is required. That includes tackling problems like pay gaps, sexual harassment and discrimination in hiring and promotion.

Conclusion

So, the aspect of FLFPR in India is multi-dimensional in nature with respect to its implications, and a concerted effort is required to tackle and abate it. Measures such as gender sensitization, inclusive education, opening economic opportunities, family-friendly policies and expanding legal frameworks would increase females in labour force participation in India. But the reasons behind this can impact every woman and her family and the progress and development of a nation.