What and why of the 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 the education of the girl child is not given as much importance, their capacity to stand on an 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 allowed 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 to accord her better opportunities in life, she needs to be allowed to educate herself first.
- The role of awareness programs is also one of great importance, especially if we 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 marginalized 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, organizations that work exclusively in the domain are better equipped to not only understand the specific concerns but also offer the 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 the 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 digitize 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:
- 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. The organization's 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 be 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.
- The /Nudge Institute: Nudge is dedicated to boosting job opportunities for women, especially in rural India where their economic participation has declined. Rural women face significant challenges, including reliance on unpredictable wage labor, lack of land and productive assets, financial vulnerability due to male migration, and low savings that leave them exposed to economic shocks. To address these issues, the Nudge Institute is committed to building sustainable livelihoods for 1 million rural women over the next five years. By partnering with the Uttar Pradesh government, they promote backyard poultry and goat farming as viable and supplementary sources of income, helping women secure financial stability and improve their economic prospects.
- Etasha Society- ETASHA Society focuses on empowering underprivileged women by providing them with skills training, career guidance, and employability programs. They work with women from marginalized communities, helping them develop vocational skills and soft skills needed to secure sustainable employment. ETASHA also offers job placement support and entrepreneurial training, ensuring that women have the tools they need to become economically independent and build better futures for themselves and their families.
- Kshamata– Kshamata provides shelter to women who have been exploited, to start a new life by interacting with other inmates. It provides them with relevant training and skilling opportunities to empower them with career options and self-sustenance. Through its Sahayog, Saksham, Swaadheen, and Samudyam programmesthe organisation aims to create independence among the survivors and enable their development and bring productive opportunities within their reach.
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