Syllabus
GS Paper 1 – Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
GS Paper 3 – Inclusive growth and issues arising from it
Applications where to apply?
When asked about
– Gender gap
– Green Jobs
– Inclusive Development
– Sustainable Development
Context
Women continue to be underrepresented in Green Jobs market.This article looks into potential reasons and solutions to include women in the green workforce.
Source
The Hindu | Editorial dated 7th March 2024
Green jobs and the problem of gender disparity
The transition to a low-carbon economy holds immense potential for India. These jobs, as noted by the International Labour Organization, not only contribute to environmental preservation but also offer avenues for economic growth and societal advancement.
However, despite the promising prospects, the participation of women in the green workforce remains disproportionately low across various sectors, perpetuating gender disparities in employment and hindering inclusive development.
Green Jobs
International Labour Organization defines green jobs as “decent jobs that contribute to preservation or restoration of the environment”.
Data Point
The transition to low-carbon development has the potential to add about 35 million green jobs in India by 2047.
Current Situation of Women in Green Jobs:
Women comprise a low percentage of the workforce in sectors pivotal for green transition, such as renewable energy and manufacturing.
- Women comprised merely 11% of workers in the solar rooftop sector.
Challenges Faced by Women
While green jobs offer exciting opportunities for the future, several challenges persist for women entering this field.
- Restrictive social norms: Societal expectations often push women towards specific roles, limiting their opportunities in technical and leadership positions within green sectors.
- This unconscious bias can discourage women from pursuing careers in traditionally male-dominated fields like renewable energy, engineering, and construction.
- Annual Survey of Industries 2019-20 shows that women workers are mostly concentrated in industries such as apparel, textile, leather, food, and tobacco
- Safety concerns: The perception of certain green jobs as physically demanding or requiring work in remote locations can be a deterrent for women due to legitimate safety concerns.
- Lack of representation in STEM fields: Fewer women pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education translates to a smaller pool of qualified female candidates for green jobs.
- This gap hinders progress towards a more balanced and diverse workforce in these crucial sectors.
- Unequal access to training and resources: Training programs for green skills might not be readily accessible or targeted towards women’s specific needs and preferences.
- Additionally, unequal access to capital or resources can limit women’s ability to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities within the green economy.
- Skill Council for Green Jobs study indicated that 85% of the training for green skills was imparted to men while over 90% of women believed that social norms limited their participation in training for green jobs.
- Gender pay gap and underrepresentation in leadership: Even within green jobs, women are often concentrated in lower-paying support roles or underrepresented in leadership positions.
- This perpetuates the gender pay gap and limits opportunities for career advancement for women in the green sector.
Benefits of Increasing Women’s Representation
There are numerous benefits to increasing women’s representation in green jobs, not only for women themselves, but also for the environment, businesses, and society as a whole:
- Individual Benefits:
- Economic empowerment: Green jobs offer competitive wages and career advancement opportunities, leading to greater financial security and independence for women.
- Skill development: Involvement in green jobs allows women to gain valuable technical skills and knowledge in sustainable practices, enhancing their employability and career prospects.
- Personal fulfilment: Contributing to environmental solutions can provide a sense of purpose and satisfaction, motivating women to make a positive impact.
- Environmental Benefits:
- Sustainable practices: Research suggests that women are often more likely to prioritize sustainable consumption and eco-friendly choices, potentially influencing green practices within businesses and communities.
- Business Benefits:
- Access to a broader talent pool: By tapping into the vast potential of female candidates, businesses can expand their talent pool and access a wider range of skills and perspectives to drive innovation and success in the green sector.
- Improved decision-making: Diverse teams with a balanced gender representation have been shown to make better decisions and achieve stronger results due to a wider range of viewpoints and experiences considered.
- Societal Benefits:
- Gender equality: Increased women’s participation in green jobs contributes to achieving broader societal goals of gender equality and closing the gender gap in the workforce.
- Economic growth: A more inclusive green economy with equal opportunities for women can contribute to overall economic growth and development.
- Sustainable development: Empowering women in green jobs fosters a more sustainable and equitable future for all by promoting environmentally conscious practices and social responsibility.
Strategies for including women in Green Jobs
- Data Collection and Analysis:
- Limited data on women’s participation in green jobs necessitates mapping emerging areas for green growth and collecting sex-disaggregated data.
- Gender analysis and periodic labour force surveys are essential for understanding the impact of low-carbon transitions on women workers and entrepreneurs.
- Education and Skill Development:
- Early exposure, mentorship, scholarships, and awareness campaigns are crucial to encouraging women’s participation in STEM fields and green job-related programs.
- Support for Women Entrepreneurs:
- Gender-focused financial policies and products, such as collateral-free lending and financial literacy training, empower women to enter the green transition market.
- Leadership and Representation:
- Promoting women to leadership positions ensures gender-specific needs are incorporated into low-carbon development strategies and promotes women’s integration into green jobs.
- Multi-pronged Strategy:
- Employment, social protection, reduction of care work burden, and skill development are essential components of a gender-just transition.
- Partnerships and Collaboration:
- Collaboration among government, private sector, and stakeholders is vital to leveraging innovation, technology, and finance for women entrepreneurs and workers in green transition.
- Equitable Job Opportunities:
- Businesses must mitigate gender bias and stereotypes to ensure equitable job opportunities throughout the green transition process.
Conclusion
As India embarks on its journey towards a sustainable future, fostering gender-inclusive policies and practices in the green workforce is paramount. By dismantling structural barriers, promoting women’s empowerment, and leveraging partnerships across sectors, India can harness the full potential of its workforce to achieve climate targets and drive equitable growth.
Related Topics
Sustainable Development
In 1987, the United Nations Brundtland Commission defined sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Core Pillars:
- Economic Development: Fostering economic growth and prosperity while ensuring responsible resource management and minimizing environmental impact.
- Social Development: Promoting the well-being of all individuals through poverty reduction, quality education and healthcare, and social justice initiatives.
- Environmental Protection: Conserving natural resources, safeguarding ecosystems, and mitigating climate change to ensure a healthy planet for future generations.
Benefits:
- Enhanced Quality of Life: By prioritizing clean air, water, and sustainable resource management, sustainable development contributes to improved living standards for all.
- Reduced Environmental Footprint: Sustainable practices help mitigate climate change, conserve biodiversity, and minimize pollution, safeguarding the environment for future generations.
- Sustainable Economic Growth: Green industries and eco-conscious practices can create new jobs and propel economic growth while adhering to environmental and social responsibility.
- Social Equity: Sustainable development fosters a more just and equitable society by addressing the needs of all, regardless of background or socioeconomic status.
References
Practice Question
‘Globally, men are likely to transition to green jobs faster than women’. In the light of the given statement discuss challenges and opportunities in increasing women’s participation in green jobs. [250 words]
How to approach this question?
Introduction (20 words)
- Begin with a brief introduction about the concept of green jobs and the current global trend of men transitioning to green jobs faster than women.
Body (100 words)
- Discuss the challenges faced by women in transitioning to green jobs. These could include societal norms, lack of access to education and training in green technologies, gender bias in the workplace, etc.
- Discuss the opportunities for increasing women’s participation in green jobs. These could include policy interventions, promoting education and training in green technologies for women, creating an inclusive work environment, etc.
- Provide examples and data to substantiate your points.
Conclusion (30 words)
- Conclude by summarizing the importance of increasing women’s participation in green jobs for achieving sustainable development and gender equality. Highlight the need for concerted efforts from all stakeholders to overcome the challenges and harness the opportunities.
Remember to provide a balanced answer, incorporating relevant facts and figures, and propose feasible solutions. Structure your answer well, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Also, ensure that your answer is within the word limit specified for the exam. Good luck!