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.
Context
Working women get only 7-10 hours for rest every day, due to work at both office and home
Source
The Hindu | Editorial dated 24th September 2024
Working women’s double shift
Indian women in professional roles face a dual burden of extensive work hours and unpaid domestic responsibilities. Despite the increase in women joining demanding jobs in fields like IT, media, and auditing, the reduction in household duties remains minimal. This imbalance between professional and personal obligations creates significant stress, as recent data reveals a concerning disparity between men and women’s unpaid work.
ILO Observations on Professional Indian Women
- Longest Working Hours Globally:
- Indian women in sectors like information technology (IT), media, and professional, scientific, and technical fields work the longest hours globally.
- In 2023, women in IT and media worked an average of 56.5 hours per week, while women in professional, scientific, and technical fields worked 53.2 hours per week.
- Young Professional Women Work More:
- Younger women, especially those aged 15-24, work even longer hours. For example, young women in IT and media clock 57 hours weekly, while those in professional, scientific, and technical fields work 55 hours per week.
- Gender Imbalance in Workforce:
- Indian women are underrepresented in key professional sectors.
- Women constitute only 8.5% of the workforce in professional, scientific, and technical jobs, and 20% in information and communication jobs, among the lowest percentages globally.
- Global Comparison:
- In other countries, women in similar sectors work fewer hours.
- For example, in Germany, women in IT and media work an average of 32 hours per week, and in Russia, they work 40 hours per week, highlighting the disproportionately longer hours worked by Indian women.
Major Challenges in Indian Society
- Workload Stress:
- The tragic death of EY employee underscores the intense workload stress faced by young professionals, especially women.
- Long working hours and high demands can significantly impact both mental and physical health.
- Male-Dominated Workspaces:
- Women working in male-dominated fields face additional challenges, including increased pressure, a lack of support, and gender equity issues.
- Systemic Gender Inequality:
- Despite increased participation, the gender imbalance in professional sectors reflects deeper societal and structural inequalities.
- Women continue to face barriers to career advancement, equal representation, and fair treatment.
- Lack of Organizational Support:
- The absence of adequate organizational support during personal tragedies, as highlighted by Anna’s case, reveals a lack of empathy and the presence of toxic work cultures in certain professional environments.
Government Initiatives
- Women in STEM:
- The Indian government has launched initiatives to increase women’s participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through scholarships, mentorship programs, and awareness campaigns like the GATI initiative.
- Maternity Benefits:
- The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 extended paid maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks, helping women balance work and family life.
- Gender Equality Programs:
- Initiatives such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao promote girls’ education and empowerment, aiming to reduce the gender imbalance in professional sectors in the long term.
- Skill Development Initiatives:
- Programs like Skill India and Digital India aim to provide technical and vocational training to women, helping bridge the gender gap in high-skill industries like IT and professional services.
Way Forward
- Work-Life Balance Reforms:
- Enforce stricter labour regulations on working hours and promote flexible work arrangements to reduce burnout, especially among young professionals in high-demand sectors.
- Inclusive Workplaces:
- Strengthen gender diversity and equity initiatives in male-dominated industries by fostering supportive work environments, offering mentorship programs, and creating leadership opportunities for women.
- Mental Health Support:
- Implement comprehensive mental health programs in workplaces to address the stress and burnout faced by professional women.
- This includes providing counselling services, promoting workplace well-being, and raising awareness about mental health issues to create a healthier work environment.
Conclusion
The data reveals a stark gender divide in both professional and domestic responsibilities, with Indian women carrying a disproportionate load. Despite their entry into demanding careers, women continue to shoulder significant household duties, highlighting the need for a societal shift towards greater gender equality in both work and home environments.
Related PYQ
What are the continued challenges for Women in India against time and space? [ UPSC Civil Services Exam – Mains 2019]
Practice Question
Analyze the challenges faced by professional Indian women in male-dominated sectors such as IT and media? [150 words]
Guidelines to Answer
- Introduction:
- Begin with a brief overview of the current situation of Indian women in professional sectors (e.g., IT, media, science) and highlight the disparities in working hours, representation, and challenges compared to global standards.
- Body
- Highlight long working hours (e.g., 56.5 hours/week in IT) and mental health stressfaced by professional women.
- Discuss the underrepresentation of women (only 8.5% in professional fields) and systemic gender inequality.
- Address issues like pressure and lack of support in male-dominated environments.
- Point to the lack of organizational empathy during personal crises.
- Conclusion
- Conclude by emphasizing the need for work-life balance reforms, inclusive workplaces, and government support to reduce disparities, improve mental health, and achieve gender equity in professional fields.