Editorial 1 : Focus on female employment to counter Employment

The Lok Sabha Elections 2024 were influenced by job difficulties and inflation, with the India Employment Report showing an increase in unemployment from 2% in 2000 to 5.8% in 2019. The labor force participation rate declined from 61.6% in 2000 to 49.8% in 2018, but a notable upward trend in female LFPR was observed in rural India, while male LFPR remained stagnant in urban areas.

Overview of Employment Challenges

• Impact on Elections: The difficulty in getting jobs and inflation were pivotal issues in the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, as identified by the Lokniti-CSDS pre-poll survey. This highlights the central role of economic factors in shaping political outcomes.
• Unemployment Trends: The India Employment Report (IER) 2024 details the significant rise in the unemployment rate from slightly over 2% in the early 2000s to 5.8% in 2019, with a slight reduction to 4.1% by 2022. Time-related underemployment remains a concern at 7.5%.
• Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR): The LFPR fell from 61.6% in 2000 to 49.8% in 2018, partially recovering to 55.2% in 2022. This indicates a fluctuating engagement of the working-age population in the labor market.

Gender Disparities in Labor Force Participation

• Female LFPR Trends: Despite an overall gloomy employment picture, female LFPR showed a significant upward trend from 24.6% in 2018 to 36.6% in 2022 in rural areas, and a modest increase in urban areas. This contrasts with a marginal increase in male LFPR.
• Global Comparison: Female LFPR in India, although improving, remains low compared to the global average of 53.4% in 2019. The rise in rural female LFPR by 12% during 2018-22 is a positive development, indicating potential for employment generation.
• Unpaid Family Labor: A substantial proportion of women are engaged in unpaid family labor, with 36.5% of females compared to 9.3% of males in 2022. The rural-urban disparity is notable, with a 31.4% difference in rural areas and 8.1% in urban areas.

Employment Preferences and Barriers

• Gendered Employment Choices: Women in Bhuj, Gujarat, prefer traditional home-based employment like bandhani and embroidery due to flexibility and low income, despite limited options in non-farm casual labor.
• Urban-Rural Disparity: The lower rise in urban female LFPR indicates fewer appropriate job opportunities for women in urban areas, compounded by limited access to capital and social norms restricting business opportunities.

Strategic Recommendations

• • Collectivization and Skill Development: Encouraging women’s participation in self-help groups (SHGs) and federations can enhance skill development and market access. Initiatives like the Kutch Mahila Vikas Sangathan (KMVS) support this approach.
  • Traditional Occupations and Gender Norms: While traditional occupations conform to local gender norms and support practical needs, they do not challenge regressive norms. Professional work environments can enhance women’s agency and empowerment.

• Water Resource Management and Women’s Empowerment: Studies show that expanding irrigation sources positively impacts women’s wages and decision-making abilities in agriculture. Innovative irrigation projects in West Bengal have enabled women to engage in farming and other activities, reducing migration and increasing family welfare.
• Work Environment Improvements: Enhancing the work environment with basic facilities like toilets and crèches can increase female workforce participation. Public policies should mandate these facilities in small- and medium-sized business units.
• Economic Strategies: Developing income-generating opportunities that do not displace men from the labor market can enhance family income and women’s positions within families. Programs like the Lakhpati Didi initiative aim to raise SHG women’s annual incomes to ₹1 lakh or more.

Conclusion

The analysis underscores the need for targeted policies and interventions to improve female LFPR and overall employment conditions. Addressing gender norms, providing better work environments, and enhancing access to resources and markets are crucial for empowering women and boosting economic growth.