India's Rising Female Labour Force Participation: A Closer Look at a Troubling Reality
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Indian Economy (Labour Force, Unemployment, Female Labour Force Participation Rate - FLFPR, Types of employment as per NSSO); Social Development (Women's Issues, Gender Equality).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 1 (Society): Role of women and women's organization; Social empowerment.
General Studies Paper 2 (Social Justice): Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections; Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of vulnerable sections (Women).
General Studies Paper 3 (Economy): Indian Economy and issues relating to growth, development and employment; Inclusive growth.
Essay: Topics on Women's Empowerment, Employment, and the Indian Economy.
Key Highlights from the News
The Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) in India increased from 23.3% in 2017-18 to 41.7% in 2023-24, but the article argues these figures present a misleading picture.
This increase is not due to a rise in quality employment opportunities, but rather to crises in rural areas.
Key Findings:
This increase is primarily seen among rural women.
Contrary to normal development processes, more women are turning to agriculture instead of moving into non-agricultural sectors.
A major reason for the FLFPR increase is that women who were previously doing "household chores" are now statistically classified as "helpers in household enterprises." This is also a form of unpaid family work.
Although the number of self-employed women increased, their real earnings decreased when accounting for inflation.
Therefore, this increased FLFPR does not indicate women's economic empowerment, but rather the economic crisis in rural areas and the lack of better employment opportunities for women.
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