13 November 2024 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis

1. An unrealized gender dividend   

(Source: Indian Express; Section: The Ideas Page; Page: 11)

Topic: GS1 – Indian Society GS2 – Social Justice

Context:

The article explores how Indian women have made significant social and educational advancements over the past decade, yet remain largely excluded from formal wage employment due to limited economic opportunities rather than restrictive social norms.

The Puzzle of Stagnant Women’s Employment in India

• Despite India’s economic growth, women’s participation in wage work has stagnated, leading economists to question the impact of conservative social norms on employment.
• However, new data from the India Human Development Survey (IHDS) challenges the notion of stagnant social norms.
• By examining the lives of Indian women between 2004 and 2024, the IHDS highlights significant social transformations that suggest young women are more empowered and educated than previous generations.
• Yet, the one area where progress remains limited is women’s access to formal employment.

Educational Advancements and Delayed Marriage

• One of the most profound shifts is in education. The IHDS data reveals that parental aspirations have grown, fostering a near elimination of the gender gap in education.
• In 2011-12, only 27% of young women (ages 20-29) completed class 12, and 12% had a college degree. By 2022-24, over half had completed class 12, and 26% held college degrees, marking a significant jump that positions young women as educational equals to men.
• This growth has influenced social patterns, notably leading to delayed marriages, as the percentage of married young women dropped from 76% in 2011-12 to 66% in 2022-24.
• These trends indicate a growing autonomy for young Indian women, who are increasingly prioritizing education and personal development before marriage.

Autonomy in Marital Choices

• Women’s agency in marital decisions has also seen a positive shift. While marriage in India often remains a family-driven process, young women are gaining more input in partner selection.
• In 2012, only 42% of women had a say in choosing their spouse, but by 2022, this figure had risen to 52%.
• Pre-marital communication, which had historically been limited, is also on the rise: 42% of young women met their spouses before marriage, and 54% communicated with them via digital platforms in 2022, up from 30% and 27% respectively in 2011-12.
• This shift towards more relational autonomy hints at a generational redefinition of marriage norms.

Expanding Social Engagement and Mobility

• In addition to education and autonomy in marriage, young women’s mobility and societal engagement have grown. According to the IHDS, the percentage of women comfortable traveling short distances alone rose from 42% to 54% between 2012 and 2022.
• Membership in Self Help Groups also increased from 10% to 18%, indicating enhanced community involvement.
• Political engagement has seen a slight uptick, with 8% of young women attending local political meetings by 2022, compared to 6% in 2012. These developments suggest that young women are more socially active and confident in navigating public spaces.

Stagnant Participation in Wage Employment

• Despite advancements in other areas, young Indian women’s access to formal employment remains stagnant.
• According to IHDS, only 14% of women aged 20-29 participated in wage labor in 2022, down from 18% in 2012.
• This decline may partly be due to higher college enrollment; however, the trend persists even among women in their 30s, highlighting a disconnect between educational gains and job opportunities.
• Contrary to the perception that restrictive social norms dissuade women from work, IHDS data indicates that 80% of young women in 2022 were willing to work if suitable jobs were available, with 72% stating family support.
• Evidence from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) suggests that women are eager to work when wages and conditions are favorable.

Conclusion: Time to Harness India’s Gender Dividend

• The IHDS data reveals steady progress in three key dimensions of women’s empowerment: education, marital choice, and social engagement. However, the absence of parallel growth in wage employment indicates a gap in the economic landscape for young women.
• To fully leverage the potential of India’s educated and motivated young women, targeted efforts are needed to create accessible job opportunities, allowing them to contribute to and benefit from India’s economic prosperity.
• The data illustrates that India’s daughters are ready to participate in economic development, making it imperative for policies to support and enable their workforce participation.

What are the Key Challenges in Implementing Women-Led Development?

Deep-Seated Patriarchy: India has deeply ingrained patriarchal norms and societal structures that hinder women’s empowerment and leadership. Changing these cultural attitudes and behaviors is a substantial challenge. Gender-Based Violence: India has one of the highest rates of violence against women in the world. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), in 2021, a total of 4,05,861 cases of crimes against women were reported in India, of which 32,033 cases were of rape. Resource Allocation: Allocating resources for women-led development initiatives and ensuring they reach the intended beneficiaries can be challenging due to administrative inefficiencies and corruption. The Agriculture Census shows women land owners constituted only 13.9% in 2015–16. Political Underrepresentation: Women are underrepresented in political roles, including at the local level. Encouraging greater political participation by women is a challenge. Only 82 women members of parliament in India, in LS (15.2%) and RS (13%). Data Collection and Analysis: Reliable data on the status of women and the impact of policies can be challenging to collect and analyze, making it difficult to measure progress. Legal Enforcement: While India has enacted various laws to protect women’s rights, the enforcement of these laws can be inconsistent, posing a challenge to justice and accountability.

PYQ: How does patriarchy impact the position of a middle class working woman in India? (150 words/10m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-1 2014)

Practice Question:  Despite significant improvements in education, autonomy, and social engagement for young Indian women, their participation in formal wage employment remains stagnant. Discuss the factors contributing to this stagnation and suggest measures to enhance women’s access to economic opportunities in India. (250 words/15 m)