If you've always known that working women get a raw deal in India, here are the statistics to prove it. According to National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) data, higher education not only makes it harder for women to get jobs than men, but the more they study, the tougher it gets, especially when it comes to secondary-level education and above.
Blame insensitive labour policies and regulations for that misogyny. Though accounting for 48% of the population, women account for only a 26% share of employment. Measured on the much more rigorous scale of 'person days worked', the share of women employed decreases even further to 22%, according to 2004-05 data. It's not much better in the cities, either. Unemployment among young urban women aged 15-29 years is much higher than men. However, the highest number of jobless women in urban areas is in the age group 20-24 years, with one among every four girls looking for work unable to find it.
The downsizing of the public sector is being seen as a major contributing factor forcing women to scout for jobs in the private sector. And though their numbers in the private sector are increasing, they face inadequate gender-sensitive labour policies. Low wages in comparison to male counterparts for comparable occupations is a major deterrent. A majority of women workers also continue to be employed in community, social and personal services sectors. Sectors like electricity, gas and water have the lowest levels of women employed. According to labour ministry figures, 80% of urban women are employed in unorganised sectors like household industries, petty trades and services, building and construction.
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