ILO Report on Women’s Labour Force Participation (WLFP)

Background: The ILO report titled ‘The Impact of Care Responsibilities on Women’s Labour Force Participation (WLP)’ highlights the barriers that caregiving responsibilities pose to Indian women’s participation in the workforce.

• Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR): Represents the proportion of individuals within a population who are either employed or actively seeking employment.

Key Insights from the ILO Report:

• Large Proportion of Women Outside Labour Force: In India, 53% of women are not part of the labour force due to caregiving responsibilities, whereas this affects only 1.1% of men.
• Personal and Family Commitments: Around 97.8% of women and 91.4% of men in India cite personal or family obligations as the reason for not being part of the workforce.
• Unpaid Work: The 2023-24 PLFS data indicates that 36.7% of women and 19.4% of the Indian workforce engage in unpaid household labour. This is a slight decrease from the previous year’s rates of 37.5% for women and 18.3% for the workforce.
• Time Dedicated to Unpaid Domestic Activities: According to the NSO’s 2019 Time Use Survey, 81% of females over age 6 spend more than five hours daily on unpaid domestic work, increasing to 85.1% among women aged 15-29, and 92% for ages 15-59. By contrast, men dedicate just over an hour per day to similar tasks.
• Caregiving Obligations: About 26.2% of women aged 6+ devote more than two hours daily to unpaid caregiving activities, compared to 12.4% of men. This burden is notably higher among younger women, with 38.4% of those aged 15-29 reporting such responsibilities.

Global Context and Comparisons:

• Globally, 708 million women are not in the workforce due to unpaid caregiving duties, an increase from 606 million in 2018.
• In countries like India and Egypt, over half of women are absent from the workforce due to caregiving demands.

Barriers to WLFP:

• Social Norms: Traditional roles often assign caregiving duties to women, reinforcing gender disparities.
• Education and Access: Women with lower education levels or those living in rural areas face greater challenges in joining the workforce.
• Support Infrastructure: Limited childcare and caregiving facilities restrict women’s ability to work.

Regional Trends in WLFP:

• Northern Africa: Leads globally, with 63% of women outside the workforce due to caregiving.
• Arab States: 59% of women cite caregiving as the main factor for not working.
• Asia and the Pacific: 52% of women face similar challenges.
• Eastern Europe: Has the world’s highest female labour force participation, with only 11% of women out of the workforce.

WLFP in India:

• Definition: Women’s labour force participation (WLFP) is the share of women engaged in the labour market, reflecting their contributions through paid or self-employment.
• 2023-24 Periodic Labour Force Survey: Only 36.7% of Indian women are in the labour force, indicating underutilization of their economic potential.

Suggestions to Improve WLFP in India:

• Expand Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE): Investments in ECCE, as recommended by the ILO, would support working mothers.
• Enhance Maternity Benefits: In line with Supreme Court directives, increased maternity benefits would help secure employment for women.
• Provide Accessible and Affordable Childcare: NITI Aayog advocates for childcare facilities to reduce the caregiving burden on women.
• Promote Skill Development: As per the National Policy for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, specialized training programs could enhance women’s employability.
• Enforce Equal Pay: Strict implementation of Article 39(d) of the Indian Constitution would encourage women’s sustained workforce participation.

Impact of Increased WLFP on Society:

• Economic Growth: Higher WLFP would enhance GDP and boost productivity.
• Poverty Alleviation: Income generation enables women to support their families financially.
• Human Capital: Economically active women improve the educational and health outcomes for their children.
• Advancement in Gender Equality: Greater WLFP challenges traditional gender roles and empowers women.
• Fertility and Population Growth: Higher WLFP often leads to lower fertility rates, facilitating sustainable population trends.
• Reduced Gender-Based Violence: Financial independence empowers women, making them less vulnerable to violence.

Government Initiatives for Women’s Empowerment:

• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao: Promotes education and empowerment of girls from an early age.
• One Stop Centre Scheme: Provides support for women facing abuse.
• Swadhar Greh: Offers shelter and rehabilitation for women in challenging situations.
• Nari Shakti Puraskar: Recognizes women’s contributions to society.
• Mahila Police Volunteers: Encourages women’s involvement in policing to enhance safety.
• Mahila Shakti Kendras (MSK): Supports rural women with skill development and resources.
• Nirbhaya Fund: Aims to ensure women’s safety through various initiatives.