- Source – The Hindu
- Link – https://www.pressreader.com/india/the-hindu-kozhikode-9WWA/20240603/281685439983108
- Syllabus – GS Paper 01
- Topic – Role of Women and Women’s Organization
What is the issue?
Although women’s representation in the workforce has grown over the years “LinkedIn’s Economic Graph data” indicates that progress has stalled since 2022 and declined in 2024.
As per the Data
- Stagnant Progress: Representation of women in the workforce has increased historically but stagnated since 2022 and declined in 2024.
- Leadership Roles: Promotion of women to senior and leadership roles has also stagnated recently.
- Sector Disparities: Healthcare, education, administrative, and support services show higher female representation in senior positions. In contrast, manufacturing, construction, oil, and gas sectors lag behind in gender diversity.
| Senior Leadership Positions
· Progress in promoting women to senior and leadership roles has stalled recently, with a decline noted in 2024. · The pace of increasing women’s representation in senior positions has been slow, taking about four years for each percentage point increase from 2016 to 2019 and 2019 to 2022. · If the current trend continues, this slow growth may halt altogether. · Recent research highlights India’s global challenge, ranking third lowest in women managers, with only 8% in general management roles, 9% in business management, and a mere 2% in CEO positions. |
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| Entry and career progression of women
· Oil, Gas, and Mining: Among the lowest representation of women in leadership roles, at around 11%. · Construction: Very few women are represented, especially in senior roles. · Utilities: Women face significant barriers in advancing to leadership positions. · Wholesale: Low entry and career progression for women. · Manufacturing: Poor representation of women across all positions, including senior roles. · Transportation: Limited career progression opportunities for women. · Real Estate: Few women in leadership positions, with significant entry barriers. |
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| About the accommodation and other services
· In the accommodation and food services sector, women’s representation in senior roles ranges from 15% to 20%, marking a moderate level compared to other industries. · While not the highest, it surpasses sectors like oil, gas, mining, construction, utilities, wholesale, manufacturing, transportation, and real estate, where female leadership positions account for just 11% to 14%. · The data underscores the ongoing need for increasing women in leadership roles within this sector. · Efforts to enhance gender diversity and inclusion should be sustained and potentially intensified, aligning with broader industry and societal goals for gender parity in the workforce. |
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| Administrative and support services:
· In administrative and support services, women occupy senior positions at a rate of 22% to 30%, indicating a moderate level of representation compared to other sectors. · This sector demonstrates a higher level of female leadership compared to industries such as oil, gas, mining, construction, utilities, wholesale, manufacturing, transportation, and real estate, where women hold leadership roles ranging from 11% to 14%. · Meanwhile, the education sector leads with the highest representation of women in senior positions at 30%, highlighting that sectors like administrative and support services still have room for improvement in increasing female leadership. |
What needs to be done?
- India has seen remarkable women who have held leadership positions and served as inspirations to the nation.
- Despite progress, there remains significant work ahead to empower and elevate women into leadership roles.
- It is crucial for organizations, policymakers, and society as a whole to collaborate in creating a more inclusive and equitable environment where women can thrive.
- From freedom fighters like Maharani Lakshmi Bai to educators like Savitribai Phule and political leaders such as Indira Gandhi, their contributions have had a lasting impact on society.
- Policymakers and business leaders must prioritize ‘women-led development’ to foster true gender equality and societal progress.
SOME BASICS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Constitutional Provisions for Women Empowerment and Gender Equality in India:
Fundamental Rights
- Article 14: Ensures equality before the law and equal protection of the laws to all citizens, including women.
- Article 15(1): Prohibits discrimination on the grounds of sex.
- Article 15(3): Allows the state to make special provisions for women to address socio-economic and political disadvantages.
- Article 16: Guarantees equal opportunities in public employment and prohibits discrimination based on sex.
- Article 21: Encompasses the right of women to be treated with decency and dignity as part of the right to life and personal liberty.
Directive Principles of State Policies:
- Article 39: Directs the State to ensure equal pay for equal work for men and women.
- Article 42: Mandates the provision of just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief.
- Article 44: Calls for a uniform civil code to ensure equal rights for women in personal matters.
- Article 45: Obligates the State to provide early childhood care and education for all children, including girls, up to six years of age.
- Article 46: Promotes the educational and economic interests of weaker sections of society, including women.
Fundamental Duties:
- Article 51A(e): Urges every citizen to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women.
- Article 51A(k): Imposes a duty on parents/guardians to provide opportunities for education to their children between the ages of six and fourteen.
- Article 243D: Reserves at least one-third of seats for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
- Article 243T: Reserves one-third of seats for women in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
- Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyan, 2023: Adds provisions for women’s reservation in Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.
Legal Provisions for Women Empowerment and Gender Equality in India:
- Indian Penal Code (IPC): Addresses crimes against women, including rape, sexual harassment, and dowry death.
- Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005: Provides civil remedies for victims of domestic violence.
- Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961: Bans dowry and prescribes punishment for violations.
- Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987: Makes the practice of sati a punishable offense.
- Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006: Sets the legal marriage age for girls at 18 to combat child marriage.
Economic Empowerment of Women:
- Minimum Wages Act, 1948: Sets minimum wages for all workers, including women.
- Equal Remuneration Act, 1976: Ensures equal pay for men and women for similar work.
- Maternity Benefit Act, 1961: Provides maternity leave and benefits to women employees.
- Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013: Establishes a mechanism to prevent and redress sexual harassment at workplaces.
- Stand Up India Scheme: Facilitates bank loans to women entrepreneurs.
Political Empowerment of Women:
- Representation of the People Act, 1950: Guarantees women the right to vote and contest elections.
- Delimitation Commission Act, 2002: Considers women voters while determining constituencies.
- Women’s Reservation Bill: Proposes to reserve one-third of seats for women in Parliament and State Assemblies.
- Constitutional Amendments: Recent amendments ensure women’s reservation in legislative bodies.
- Women’s Political Participation: Encourages active participation of women in politics through various initiatives.
Government Schemes for Women Empowerment and Gender Equality in India:
- National Policy for Empowerment of Women: Aims at overall advancement and empowerment of women.
- National Mission for Empowerment of Women (NMEW): Strengthens processes that promote women’s development.
- Gender Budgeting: Allocates budget resources to advance gender equality.
- Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Yojana (BBBP): Improves the child sex ratio and ensures girls’ education.
- One Stop Centre (OSC): Provides integrated support to women affected by violence.
