The what and why of lack of job opportunities for women

In a country as large and as populated as India, there is a definite lack of equal job opportunities for women, even though they make up almost half the nation's population. There are several reasons why there is a certain amount of discrimination, especially in terms of employment and just some of them are listed here:

• Given that education of the girl child is not given as much importance, their capacity to stand on even footing is reduced, when it comes to applying for jobs.
• There is a general belief that some jobs are more suited to men and for such jobs, women are often not even considered, even though they might be meritorious.
• Unfortunate as it might be, there are still people who feel that women are meant to stay at home and run the household and not step out to work.
• The fear of sexual and other types of harassment often pushes women themselves not to step out, because the lack of safety scares them.
• There is also the issue of lack of proper opportunities for women - even if they are competent, they might not be given the chance to rise to the top, against their male counterparts.

What needs to be done:

• There has to be a proper check on gender discrimination in the workspace - unless a task is physically not possible for a woman, she needs to be given an opportunity to at least try. Empowering women at work should not be an option, but a must.
• It cannot be denied that unless the woman is qualified for the job, she cannot be hired for the same - this is why education is of utmost importance, and in order to accord her better opportunities in life, she needs to be given the opportunity to educate herself first.
• The role of awareness programs is also one of great importance, especially if we really want to open up conversations about women's rights at work. The government as well as NGOs have a large role to play here - there have to be ways to inform and educate women so that they can become independent and self-reliant.
• The need for training-based programs and skill development activities will allow women from all walks of life the chance to improve their situation. This becomes all the more important with women who come from the marginalised sections of society.
• Finally, and perhaps most importantly, women themselves need to be aware of their rights - empowering women at work needs to start with the women themselves. Only with a change in their attitude can any other change come!

The role that NGOs play in this entire scenario is being that system of support for the women - when surrounded by other women, there is a surge of confidence. Moreover, organisations that work exclusively in the domain are better equipped to not only understand the specific concerns but also offer most appropriate solutions to them. So, if lack of education is the problem, an NGO can assist in completing schooling or getting at least a basic education. Alternatively, they could offer skill-based training, which would help them become more employable. In case of women who have some form of skill such as art or craft related, by offering them a better understanding of how they can improve their sales or providing them training on how to digitise their trade, much difference can be brought about.

These are just 5 NGOs that are working towards empowering women at work and creating a more equitable work environment for them:

• Shanti Sahyog: This NGO works predominantly in the national capital of Delhi and they run skill development centres in areas such as Kalkaji and Tughlakabad, where they work towards making women more employable. From teaching women basic skills such as cutting and tailoring to educating them with basic computer related skills, Shanti Sahyog works towards creating job opportunities for women in a more organic manner. More than 2000 women have been able to find jobs after undergoing their training and skill development sessions. In addition, they also offer education to women who might have had to drop out of school or have never been able to go at all. Their aim is to use education to empower women and help them break the vicious cycle of poverty.
• Gramin Vikas Evam Chetna Sansthan: The Gramin Vikas Evam Chetna Sansthan has a multi-pronged approach - on the one hand, they work with local artisans in the Barmer Rajasthan area to help them improve their skills and sell better, and on the other, they help people, especially women, generate incomes on their own. Their team also works with women entrepreneurs from rural areas, by enlightening them about how to sell online, be careful about cyber fraud and best business practices. Through their Ruma Devi-Sugni Devi Sports Complex, they are also trying to give an impetus to talented sportswomen; they dream of being able to produce world class sports stars from this arena.
• SEWA: When Ela Bhatt started SEWA or the Self Employed Women's Association in Gujarat in the early 1970s, little would she have imagined the scale it would reach one day. Today, this NGO is owned, managed and run by 50,000 women. These women artisans are a true example of empowering women at work, because they work on the idea of women supporting women and women helping women grow. By providing women with skills-based training, SEWA has enabled them to not only make a sustainable living, but also self-reliant. SEWA also provides full time employment, which is a relief to artisan women who might not have the confidence of a steady salary. In addition, they also offer assistance in terms of health and child care, legal aid and insurance.
• Azad Foundation: The vision behind setting up this NGO was very simple – create a world where every single woman has access to a method of earning a livelihood for herself and her family. She should be able to enjoy gender equality in jobs, work with complete dignity and generate not only value for her life, but also wealth, becoming a contributing member of the society. Since its inception, the NGO has been able to help innumerable women get proper jobs and lead a life with self-respect. Their Women on Wheels is a unique program that has enabled women to become professional drivers and offer safer transportation options for other women.
• Mitti ke Rang: A social venture that is working towards empowering women at work, especially single women and widows, to become self-reliant. With the help of their skill training and educational programs, women are able to find decent jobs that allow them a life of dignity. Mitti Ke Rang started in 2014 as a venture, but today, it has spread its influence in more than 11 countries across the globe and their aim continues to be the same. Their volunteers and team members help women launch businesses and are associated with several corporations; they have been able to assist in funding as well.

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