Paper: GS – III, Subject: Economy, Topic: Unemployment, Issue: Women’s Employment: India’s Missing Growth Engine.
Context:
Recently, a study estimated that a ten-percentage-point rise in female work participation could add nearly two percentage points to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth. This has renewed attention to women’s employment under Viksit Bharat 2047.
Key Takeaways:
Background:
Explanation:
Importance and Recent Evidence:
- The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2025 recorded an overall LFPR of 59.3% for persons aged 15 years and above. Female LFPR was 40%, against 79.1% for men, while female WPR was 38.8%.
- These figures confirm a wide gender gap, with female participation remaining nearly half the male rate.
- More working women expand labour supply, productive capacity and economic growth.
- Paid work raises family income, consumption and savings while improving children’s nutrition, education and healthcare.
Causes of Low Female Employment:
- Mechanisation reduced women’s agricultural work, but manufacturing and services did not create enough alternative employment.
- Finance, information technology and organised manufacturing generate growth but employ relatively fewer workers.
- Girls’ education has improved, yet educated young women continue to face high unemployment.
- Female employment rose after 2020 partly through subsistence farming and unpaid family labour following urban job losses.
- Tamil Nadu’s industries, literacy, transport and hostels support female factory work. Participation remains much lower in Bihar.
Way Forward:
- India should promote labour intensive industries like textiles, garments, food processing, electronics assembly and small manufacturing.
- Safe transport, hostels, childcare and secure workplaces can reduce mobility and care-related barriers.
- States need stronger public education, healthcare and nutrition for girls and women.
- The Economic Survey 2015–16 stressed the need for “good jobs” that are safe, productive and well-paying. Female employment policy must prioritise job quality, not merely higher participation numbers.
Conclusion:
Women’s employment is both a gender-equality goal and a foundation of sustainable growth. Viksit Bharat requires productive jobs, supportive services and equal opportunities across regions.
Source: (The Hindu)
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