What is the current trend in the share of women in wage work

The current trend in the share of women in wage work, as per the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), indicates a decline to 15.9% in 2022-23. Here are the key points regarding this trend:

• This decrease in the share of women in wage work suggests a concerning gender disparity in the labor market.
• The decline highlights the need for efforts to promote and enable greater participation of women in the formal workforce.
• Factors contributing to this trend may include socio-cultural norms, biases, lack of access to quality education and skill development, and insufficient opportunities for women in certain sectors.
• Efforts such as gender-sensitive policies, targeted skill-building initiatives, and promoting gender equality at workplaces can help address this issue.
• Enhancing women's participation in wage work can have significant socio-economic benefits, including poverty reduction, increased household incomes, and improved gender equality.
• Public-private collaborations, mentoring programs, and creating supportive work environments are essential to encourage more women to enter and remain in wage work.

Addressing this decline in the share of women in wage work requires comprehensive strategies that focus on removing gender-based barriers and empowering women to fully participate in the formal labor market.