• UGI USER
  • Mar 06, 2024
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GREEN JOBS AND THE PROBLEM OF GENDER DISPARITY

Syllabus:

GS 2:

  • Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.

Focus:

  • Globally, men are likely to transition to green jobs faster than women.
Source:- IE

The transition to low-carbon development presents an opportunity to create approximately 35 million green jobs in India by 2047, according to the International Labour Organization. However, gender disparities persist in this emerging sector, with women underrepresented across various industries traditionally associated with green jobs.

What is green job

Green jobs are a category of employment specifically geared towards benefiting the environment and enhancing overall environmental well-being. They focus on mitigating the adverse environmental effects of various economic sectors and promoting the transition to a low-carbon economy. Examples of green jobs include roles in renewable energy, resource conservation, and promoting energy-efficient practices.

Gender Disparities in Green Jobs

  • Despite India’s significant increase in renewable energy capacity, women make up only 11% of workers in the solar rooftop sector, as per the Annual Survey of Industries 2019-20.
  • Moreover, men dominate sectors like infrastructure, transport, construction, and manufacturing, with 89% representation, according to a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) 2019 report.
  • A 2023 study by the Skill Council for Green Jobs revealed that while 85% of green skills training is provided to men, over 90% of women feel restricted by social norms from participating in such training.
  • Factors include perceived unsuitability for technical roles, safety concerns, and lower representation in STEM subjects.

Importance of Women’s Representation

  • Short-term Benefits: Increasing women’s participation in green jobs can mitigate gender biases in the labor market, leading to improved labor force participation rates and economic empowerment.
  • Long-term Impact: Empowering women in green jobs not only enhances their economic independence but also contributes to their overall agency and social empowerment.
  • Diversification of Perspectives: Gender-diverse workforces bring varied perspectives and approaches, fostering innovation and creativity within the green economy.
  • Enhanced Decision-making: Including women in decision-making processes related to green job initiatives ensures that policies and programs consider gender-specific needs and priorities.
  • Socio-economic Development: Women’s representation in green jobs contributes to broader socio-economic development, fostering inclusive growth and poverty reduction.

Addressing Data Gaps

  • Data Collection: Comprehensive sex-disaggregated data collection on green jobs is essential to understand the current landscape and identify barriers to women’s participation.
  • Gender Analysis: Conducting gender analysis helps in assessing the impact of low-carbon transitions on women workers and entrepreneurs, highlighting areas for intervention and support.
  • Policy Implications: Policymakers should prioritize the collection of gender statistics through labor force surveys and allocate resources to promote women’s engagement in the green economy.
  • Awareness and Advocacy: Raising awareness about the importance of gender-disaggregated data and advocating for its inclusion in policy and decision-making processes is crucial for driving change.
  • Resource Mobilization: Mobilizing additional resources to support initiatives that encourage women’s participation in green jobs can help bridge existing data gaps and promote gender equity in the sector.

Supporting Women Entrepreneurs

  • Financial Support: Implementing gender-focused financial policies, such as collateral-free lending and financial literacy training, can enhance women entrepreneurs’ access to capital and resources.
  • Skill Development: Providing hands-on learning opportunities, mentorship programs, scholarships, and awareness campaigns can empower women to pursue careers in STEM fields relevant to the green economy.
  • Networking Opportunities: Building supportive networks and platforms for women entrepreneurs facilitates knowledge sharing, collaboration, and access to markets and opportunities.
  • Capacity Building: Enhancing women’s skills and capacities through targeted training programs and capacity-building initiatives prepares them for leadership roles in the green economy.
  • Policy Advocacy: Advocating for policy reforms that promote gender equity and entrepreneurship, including measures to reduce gender biases and barriers, is essential for creating an enabling environment for women entrepreneurs in the green sector.

Promoting Gender Justice in Transition Strategies

  • Leadership Inclusion: Promoting women’s leadership in decision-making positions ensures that transition strategies consider gender-specific needs and perspectives.
  • Comprehensive Strategy: A multi-pronged approach that addresses employment, social protection, care work, and skill development is necessary for promoting gender justice in transition strategies.
  • Partnerships: Collaboration among government, private sector, civil society, and other stakeholders is crucial for leveraging resources, expertise, and networks to support women entrepreneurs and workers.
  • Inclusive Policies: Designing and implementing policies that mitigate gender biases and foster equitable job opportunities are essential for ensuring a just transition that benefits everyone.
  • Capacity Building: Building the capacity of institutions and organizations to mainstream gender considerations in green transition initiatives promotes gender equality and inclusive development outcomes.

Ensuring gender equity in the green transition is crucial for building a socially equitable and inclusive future. Businesses must mitigate gender biases, foster equitable job opportunities, and support women in meeting the demands of the evolving job market. Collaboration across sectors is essential to leverage innovation, technology, and finance for the benefit of women entrepreneurs and workers, ultimately driving a just and sustainable transition for all.

Gender inequality in India manifests in various aspects of society, including economic, educational, political, and social spheres. Below are key points, data, and findings on gender inequality in India:

Economic Inequality

·   Wage Gap: Women in India earn significantly less than men for the same work. According to the Global Gender Gap Report 2021 by the World Economic Forum, women’s income is estimated to be only 20.7% of men’s income.

·   Workforce Participation: Female labor force participation in India is low compared to men. As of the National Sample Survey Office (2017-18), the labor force participation rate for women aged 15 and above was around 23.3%, compared to 75.8% for men.

·       Sectoral Segregation: Women are overrepresented in the informal sector and agricultural employment, which are often characterized by low wages, lack of job security, and absence of social benefits.

Educational Disparities

·   Literacy Rates: There is a noticeable gender gap in literacy rates. As per the 2011 Census, the literacy rate was 82.14% for men and 65.46% for women.

·   School Dropout Rates: Girls have higher dropout rates, especially in rural areas, due to reasons like early marriage, household responsibilities, and lack of sanitary facilities in schools.

·   Higher Education and STEM: Women’s enrollment in higher education has improved, but their representation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields and institutions of national importance remains low.

Political and Legal Inequality

·   Representation in Politics: Women’s representation in legislative bodies is low. The Lok Sabha (lower house of Parliament) elected in 2019 had only about 14% female members.

·  Legal Rights: While the Indian constitution provides for equality, implementation gaps exist. Practices like dowry, child marriage, and domestic violence persist despite legal prohibitions.

Social and Cultural Barriers

·   Son Preference: Son preference leads to practices like sex-selective abortions and unequal allocation of resources to sons over daughters.

·   Access to Healthcare: Women often have less access to healthcare facilities and nutritional food, which affects their health status.

·   Freedom and Mobility: Cultural norms limit women’s freedom and mobility, impacting their access to employment, education, and public services.

Gender-Based Violence

·   Prevalence of Violence: Domestic violence, sexual harassment, and assault are widespread, affecting women’s safety and well-being.

·   Underreporting of Crimes: Gender-based violence is underreported due to societal stigma, fear of retribution, and lack of trust in the justice system.

Source:

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/green-jobs-and-the-problem-of-gender-disparity/article67917596.ece#:~:text=Globally%2C%20men%20are%20likely%20to,in%20the%20solar%20rooftop%20sector.

Mains Practice Question:

“Examine the factors contributing to the divergence between GDP and GVA growth rates in India’s recent economic data. Discuss the implications of such a divergence for economic policy and planning. Analyze how sectoral performances, particularly in manufacturing and agriculture, influence the overall economic growth narrative.