Focus on female employment to counter unemployment
Source: The Hindu
Prelims: Current events of national importance
- India Employment Report (IER) 2024
- Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR)
- Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR)
- Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
- Lakhpati Didi programme
Mains: GS Paper II & III
- Employment and unemployment trends
- Gender issues in employment
- Rural development and women empowerment
- Economic impact of women's workforce participation
ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS
- Unemployment and inflation were major issues in the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.
- The unemployment rate rose from 2% in 2000 to 5.8% in 2019, before reducing to 4.1% in 2022.
- Female LFPR showed a significant increase, especially in rural India.
- Women's engagement in unpaid family labour is much higher than men's.
- Traditional occupations are preferred by women due to flexibility and social norms.
- Access to resources like water can significantly boost women's economic participation.
Context
The article discusses the recent employment trends in India, focusing on the rise in female labour force participation rate (FLFPR) amid overall unemployment concerns. It explores the potential of female employment as a strategy to counter unemployment and improve family welfare.
UPSC EXAM NOTES ANALYSIS
1. Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR)
- The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) is a critical metric that measures the percentage of the working-age population that is either employed or actively seeking employment
- Overall LFPR declined from 61.6% in 2000 to 49.8% in 2018, with a recovery to 55.2% in 2022.
- Female LFPR showed a notable increase, especially in rural areas, from 24.6% in 2018 to 36.6% in 2022. Urban female LFPR rose from 20.4% to 23.9% in the same period.
- Male LFPR remained almost stagnant, with minor increases in rural areas.
- The unemployment rate increased from a little over 2% (2000-2012) to 5.8% in 2019.
- It decreased to 4.1% in 2022, though time-related underemployment was high at 7.5%.
2. Employment Trends and Challenges for Women
- Rural Areas: The female LFPR saw a significant increase from 24.6% in 2018 to 36.6% in 2022.
- Urban Areas: The female LFPR increased from 20.4% in 2018 to 23.9% in 2022.
- Comparison with Global Average: Despite the increase, the female LFPR in India remains low compared to the global average of 53.4% in 2019
- Women’s employment remains significantly gendered and often restricted to traditional roles such as embroidery and home-based work.
- Women in rural areas engaged heavily in unpaid family labour, which was 36.5% in 2022 compared to 9.3% for males
- A substantial proportion of women, particularly in rural areas, work as unpaid family laborers. In 2022, 36.5% of women were unpaid family workers, compared to 9.3% of men
3.Policy Suggestions for Enhancing Female Employment
- Improve market access and resources for women, particularly in rural areas, to enhance employment opportunities without displacing men.
- Focus on providing safe and supportive work environments, including basic facilities like toilets and crèches, especially in urban areas.
- Encourage collective economic activities through self-help groups (SHGs) and federations to boost women’s incomes and link them directly to markets.
- Examples of successful initiatives include the West Bengal Accelerated Development of Minor Irrigation Project and the Kutch Mahila Vikas Sangathan, which help women in traditional occupations by providing better market access and resources
4.Self Help Groups and Employment Generation for Women
Self Help Groups (SHGs) have emerged as a significant means of promoting employment generation and economic empowerment for women, particularly in rural areas. SHGs are small, voluntary associations of women who come together for mutual support and to improve their socio-economic conditions through collective action
Impact on Employment Generation:
- By providing women with the necessary resources and support, SHGs help increase their participation in economic activities.
- Women engaged in SHGs can undertake a variety of economic activities, from small-scale manufacturing to agricultural production
- Participation in SHGs empowers women by improving their financial independence and social status.
- It also builds social capital, as women develop networks and support systems within their communities
- By generating local employment opportunities, SHGs help reduce the need for migration to urban areas in search of work.
- This has a positive impact on family stability and community cohesion
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Succesful Examples of SHGs
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6. Conclusion
Self Help Groups (SHGs) play a crucial role in generating employment and empowering women in India. By providing financial inclusion, skill development, and market access, SHGs help women become economically independent and improve their socio-economic status. Strengthening SHGs through enhanced financial support, better training, improved market linkages, and supportive infrastructure can further amplify their impact, contributing to overall economic growth and social development in India
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Mains Practice Questions
1.Discuss the role of Self Help Groups (SHGs) in empowering women in rural India. How do SHGs contribute to financial inclusion and social empowerment? Illustrate with examples.
2.Analyze the impact of Self Help Groups on the socio-economic development of women in rural areas. How do these groups help in addressing issues of gender inequality and poverty?
3.Evaluate the effectiveness of government policies in supporting Self Help Groups (SHGs) for women. What more can be done to strengthen these groups and enhance their impact?
4.Identify the major challenges faced by Self Help Groups in India. Suggest measures to overcome these challenges and improve the functioning and sustainability of SHGs
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