Student Name: Shreen Shavkani -- Finalist (High School Cohort)

Grade During 2019-2020 Academic Year: 9th grade

Hometown: Alpharetta, GA

Gender Disparities Within India

Education. Healthcare. Poverty. These issues are among the top problems that the Indian government is focusing on. However, the most significant issue facing India and its people today is the lack of representation of women in the workforce. The United Nations reports that although women compose 48.3% of India’s population, they make up only 26% of those employed. These numbers are alarming because even though the education of Indian women has risen and fertility rates have fallen, three out of four women are neither employed nor seeking paid work. Reports suggest that the barriers to women’s participation in the workforce include cultural issues and increasing emphasis on  marrying into households with higher incomes. Cultural issues include the idea that women should stay home and take care of the family rather than work because that’s supposedly something that a man should be doing. Even though the women's rights movement has made significant progress throughout the country, these mentalities are still ingrained in the minds of those who follow traditional values. These cultural norms are common among women who are uneducated but also women who are more educated but choose to not work in hopes of marrying into richer families  Many individuals argue that it is  easier to remain unemployed than be subject to the discrimination and sexual harassment that women face in the workplace. However, these limitations on a healthy work life cannot be ignored as they hinder Indian women from working. In 2018, it was reported that women earn 65% of what their male colleagues earn for performing the same work. These gender disparities are problematic because it leaves millions of women unable to both earn wages and have a voice in their household. Studies show that when women aren’t employed, they face a greater risk of domestic violence. However, there are actions that can break this devastating cycle in the status quo.

Individuals of all age groups who can range from young children all the way to working individuals, or even those who have retired, can definitely make an impact by trying to understand why some women in their families choose to not be part of the workforce and educate themselves about the issues as much as possible. Regardless of age, individuals should also make efforts to not be ignorant about these issues, but instead try to open their mind to new ideas even though they may have grown up in a different environment or in a different generation than those around them. By educating themselves and others, it’s very possible for individuals to shed light and awareness on the issue that millions of women in India don’t actually have a voice or a sense of economic freedom from their male counterparts. Since awareness is the first step to making a significant change, there definitely needs to be social media outlets reporting on the gender disparities that these women face on a day to day basis. Publicity in one country can put pressure on international legislators to push for policies to create a safer professional environment for women and build incentives for them to enter the workforce.  This includes addressing the wage gap and taking steps to reduce the regularity of sexual assault.  After making these important statements, individuals who are older and able to contribute money should consider donating money to organizations who are trying to make changes for women. Money goes a long way so by making donations to organizations in India who are pushing for better policies can make a greater influence and empower women to work without feeling as if their voices are being drowned out.

The primary step to building a solution to this issue should be identifying the problems that women are facing via surveys and other social interactions. A nationwide study in India recorded responses from women before the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act that was passed in 2005 which tried to give everyone the right to work. The results showed that women were more likely to work if jobs were available near their homes, even if the pay isn’t as high as many would have ideally aimed for. After the rural employment plan was more widespread and developed, it allowed for jobs to be in locations closer to rural areas and the impact was an increase in women’s participation in the workforce. Legislation like this helps show that women’s voices are being heard and there've actually been movements to get their voices across to the members of the Indian parliament who are in charge of passing laws to the benefit the people of India. Organizations such as STEP (Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women) also inspire me to try to take advantage of the opportunities that I have within the United States to learn and grow as an individual with the aspirations to eventually take these ideas back to India to help other girls who are in high school who don’t have the same opportunities that I currently have.

As an Indian female who was born in India and, I am inspired to grow into someone who strives to make an impact. Going back and showing females that it is possible to grow within the workforce and to have economic independence, is something I believe can be truly beneficial to the Indian community. I’ve seen my fair share of people within my own family who are scared to leave domestic situations even though they may or may not be working because they’re scared due to cultural ideals or the stigma that someone who’s divorced is less likely to get a job. India is on the path to making social improvements to help fight against these outdated ideals that women are less than men, but there’s a long way to go. India will only heal if younger generations can move forward and females are empowered to continue their fight for socio economic independence.

Works Cited

 “Data Explorer.” Global Gender Gap Report 2018, reports.weforum.org/global-gender-gap-report-2018/data-explorer/#economy=IND.

Desai, Sonalde. “Do Public Works Programs Increase Women’s Economic Empowerment? Evidence from Rural India.” India Human Development Survey, Oct. 2018, ihds.umd.edu/sites/ihds.umd.edu/files/MGNREGA%20%26%20Women%27s%20Econ%20Empowerment_Oct%202018.pdf.

Krishnan, Deepa. “As India Advances, Women's Workforce Participation Plummets.” Strategy+Business, 15 May 2020, www.strategy-business.com/blog/As-India-advances-womens-workforce-participation-plummets?gko=762f7.

“UN Women in India.” UN Women | Asia and the Pacific, asiapacific.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2012/5/un-women-in-india.

“Unemployed Women Face Greater Risk of Domestic Violence.” ScienceDaily, ScienceDaily, 25 Feb. 2014, www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/02/140225101147.htm.