Persistent spill over of the Pandemic, on Women

Overcoming the entrenched fear of coming out to face social life, indulging in economically productive efforts, the zeal of becoming financially independent, and relying on self-satisfactory goals, be it small, have become more pronounced lately amongst women after several decades of independence. Women have been increasingly contributing to global growth and development, thereby maintaining a work-life balance. They play a significant role in it and contribute to around 18 percent of the GDP growth in India. Not only on the urban side, but women have also been increasingly contributing to it in rural areas. Empowering Women along with gender equity is pivotal to the injunction of achieving a more progressive, safe, and sustainable world. Several efforts have been put in and succeeded in closing the gender bias, and it is being made possible through constant efforts by society to attain equal representation for women.

Although all of these might seem satiating, this progressing trajectory had to face a trough because of the pandemic. Amongst a hundred other economic, social, and structural disruptions led by the pandemic, women's work life was one of the worst hit. It deterred the unwinding process and their relentless efforts to attain special recognition and be a par with men. 

According to a World Economic Forum report, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, closing the global gender gap will take 135.6 years instead of 99.5 years before the COVID-19 pandemic.

 So far, India has closed only 62.5% of its gender gap.

 Starting the Gender gap has been one of the major concerns in India. It ranks as low as 108th among the world's countries. However, according to the IMF report, there has been a 7% decrease in Gender gap over the last three decades, which is quite a meager amount.

 The female workforce has decreased to 9% post-pandemic. Cerebral Equality to Opportunities and resources has further widened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The pandemic has led most rural girl children to drop out of their schools and indulge in domestic and labor activities to complement their family’s income. Schools being closed during COVID and not everyone having access to online sources, parental deaths due to the virus, and financial pressure due to lack of work in many households have also accounted for an increased marriage rate during the last few years. This hindered women from pursuing or even achieving their educational/professional goals. 

Well, moving on to some policy measures that can be initiated to mitigate the gender gap in India: Although the government has taken several initiatives to promote girl child education which significantly helps in bridging the gender gap, apart from that, increased focus on educating homemakers who are college dropouts, women working in the unorganized sectors or involved in domestic activities, etc. can take a long way by means of providing:

 1.) Subsidised vocational courses and skill-enhancement activities, Provision of training catering to requisites of well-paid jobs.

 2.) Provision of transfer payments by the government along with collaboration with several NGOs having experienced members to provide training for such women.

 3.) “Work from home” is one great facility that can be made available for women in the organized sector, wherein women can be allowed to work remotely (if it is viable for the organization). 

This is a significant boon for women who otherwise back out for security reasons or social stigmas. Awareness programs by the government: It is immensely important that women understand and realize their capabilities and that they are not subservient to men. Hence, the government has to take up programs and policies to create awareness amongst women about the increased importance of financial independence and education.  

Grants for women pursuing higher education abroad: On the larger side, women who are willing to pursue higher education, say, post-graduation, abroad should not back out because of economic constraints or lack of financial stability of the family. The government can take initiatives to provide grants, especially to women (say, for instance, bearing the college fee.). On a lighter note, research says that women are more productive than men in the professional world. Thus, investing in such policies will contribute to economic growth and development.

Written by Tharuni Mudumby | Proofread by Yasmin Uzykanova