Female Labour Force Participation Rates in Rural Areas - Employment

Introduction The participation of the female labour force (FLFP) is a significant social and economic indicator. Rural women's employment pattern is shaped by a range of factors, including economic needs, cultural beliefs, levels of education, and economic structural change. India witnessed oscillating FLFP during the last three decades with significant falls in the participation of rural women despite the growth in the economy (Ramesh Chand & Jaspal Singh, 2022). The essay discusses trends, determinants, and policy interventions shaping FLFP in rural India with a special reference to employment opportunities and challenges.

Trends in Rural Female Labour Force Participation in India: The share of FLFP decreased with the passage of time. The overall labour force participation rate (LFPR) increased from 36.9% in 2017-18 to 40.1% in 2019-20, according to Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data. Rural women's participation was much lower in comparison to men, though it increased from 18.18% in 2017-18 to 47.6% in 2023-24. Nevertheless, rural women's employment participation is still much below the international level.

Factors that influence FLFP in rural India:

1. Economic and Structural Reforms: Mechanization of agriculture and transition to non-agricultural jobs have revolutionized rural employment. Increased use of technology has reduced the demand for manual labour, which affects the conventional position of women in agricultural employment (Afridi, Dinkelman & Mahajan, 2018).

2. Education Attainment: Higher education among rural women has not led to higher labour force participation. The data reveal a U-shape relationship, in which highly skilled or least skilled women are more active in the labour market, but those with secondary schooling are missing from the labour force due to social sanctions or the absence of appropriate employment opportunities (Klasen & Pieters, 2015).

3. Social and Cultural Beliefs: Gender and family norms are the major contributors to restricting the participation of women because of the tremendous pressure that they are under. Rural women are more likely to be tied to their location by family obligations than by any other factor, including work (Desai, 2017).

4. Household Income: Rising household incomes have helped to decrease FLFP since women leave low-wage informal jobs when their households are financially secure (Klasen et al., 2021).

5. Pandemic-Induced Shocks: The women were most disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and more female workers lost their jobs. Women lost jobs seven times and were eleven times more likely to be unemployed in and after the lockdown compared to men (Abraham, Basole & Kesar, 2022).

Employment Opportunities for Rural Women Despite challenges, various employment opportunities exist for rural women:

1. Agriculture and Allied Activities: Agriculture remains the largest rural employment source for rural women. Some 60% of rural Indian female workers work in agriculture, even though they are themselves working as unpaid family laborers (Ramesh Chand & Jaspal Singh, 2022).

2. Self-Employment and Entrepreneurship: The microfinance initiatives and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have encouraged the participation of women in micro and small-scale enterprises and entrepreneurship. Programs like the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) have gone a long way in empowering self-employment (Sinha, 2024).

3. Government Employment Schemes: The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) has been a key employment driver for women. Women constitute about 50% of MGNREGA workers, with the benefit of wage protection along with work schedule flexibility (Mamgain, 2021).

4. Non-Farm Employment: Industries such as handicrafts, food processing, and rural tourism provide possible channels for women's employment. Nevertheless, market linkages and access to capital are still issues (Chaudhary, 2020).

Policy Recommendations: To enhance FLFP in rural areas, the following policy measures are recommended:

1. Skill Upgradation and Vocational Training: Training schemes need to be designed particularly to equip rural women with skills applicable to the new job markets.

2. Improving Work Opportunities: Increasing MGNREGA to encompass more skill-based employment and increased rural industry investment can provide women with work opportunities.

3. Confronting Mobility and Safety Issues: Enhanced transport and work place safety measures can bring more women to the workplace.

4. Social Norms and Awareness Campaigns: Altering societal attitudes by instituting awareness programs and convincing employers to hire women can assist in bridging gender gaps in the labor market.

5. Expanding Access to Credit and Markets: Expanding financial inclusion and market access can facilitate rural women entrepreneurs and enhance their entrepreneurial prospects.

The inclusion of women in rural employment is required to attain economic growth as well as social justice. Despite structural, social, and economic constraints, policy interventions can be employed to encourage enhanced workforce participation. Enhancing employment schemes, enabling skill acquisition, and changing gender attitudes are paramount to improve FLFP in rural India. A joint effort from the public sector, private sector, and civil society is required to ensure economic engagement by rural women is sustainable and inclusive.