Is women empowerment a part of the inclusive growth story of the Indian economy?
Keywords:
Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLPR), GDP in PPP terms, Women empowerment, Gender equality, GDP per capita, Regression analysisAbstract
Notwithstanding advancements, women and men lack equal possibilities for economic participation, and when women engage, they do not attain equivalent recognition, remuneration, or perks as their male counterparts. According to the World Economic Forum, closing the worldwide gender gap in female labour force participation and equal opportunities will take 217 years at the current rate of advancement. This paper has attempted to investigate the underlying causes of gender disparities in workforce participation. The primary factors we have examined include a high mortality rate, particularly the concept of "missing women" as articulated by Amartya Sen; disparities in opportunities, such as insufficient education and healthcare services; and restricted access to financial resources, which hampers equitable prospects in the labour market. These issues are closely linked to income inequality, especially in emerging and developing nations.
The paper has tried to prove the validity of all the arguments used in the paper. The research paper has tried to link all the arguments to India. Stating the cause and need for gender equality, the research may help to analyze the loopholes in the current policies which aim to improve the condition of women. In conclusion, we suggest some workable solutions.
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