The Government of India is developing a national policy to enhance women’s participation in the workforce, which focuses on creating a supportive environment through improved care services. Several ministries are collaborating on this plan.
About the Care Economy
The “care economy” encompasses all activities associated with caring for individuals, which includes both paid and unpaid tasks. Direct activities involve feeding and nurturing, while indirect tasks include cooking, cleaning, healthcare, and education.
Employment Drop After Marriage
A recent World Bank report marks a concerning trend. Women’s employment rates in India drop after marriage. Specifically, the rates decrease by 12 percentage points, which is about one-third of their pre-marriage employment levels.
The new policy aims to establish caregiving systems and facilitate women’s entry into the workforce. One proposed initiative includes a specialised training programme for child caregivers. Additionally, the plan may offer childcare support for women in informal jobs.
Existing Support Schemes
The Ministry of Women and Child Development operates the ‘Palna’ scheme, which provides daycare services for children of working parents. It targets children aged 6 months to 6 years. Services include health, nutrition, growth monitoring, immunisation, and early education. To date, 1,000 Anganwadi daycare centres have been established.
Data from the Labour Ministry reveals key participation rates. In 2021-2022, rural women showed higher workforce participation at 36.6%. In contrast, urban women’s participation was lower at 23.8%. This disparity marks the need for targeted policies.
Important Facts for Exams:
- Care Economy: The care economy includes all activities related to caring for individuals. It encompasses both paid and unpaid tasks. This sector plays important role in workforce dynamics.
- Palna Scheme: The Palna scheme offers daycare services for children of working parents. It caters to children aged 6 months to 6 years. This initiative supports working mothers and promotes early childhood development.
- Anganwadi Centres: Anganwadi centres are community-based childcare facilities in India. They provide essential services like health monitoring and early education. These centres are very important in supporting rural families and children’s development.
