Intersections of caste and gender: a systematic review of women’s literacy and employment disparities in India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64171/JSRD.5.3.10-14Keywords:
Caste-based disparity, Women literacy, Women employment, Gender inequality, Workforce participation, IndiaAbstract
Women’s literacy and employment in India one of the major socio-economic challenges caste-based disparity that affecting. However significant progress has been made in improving educational access and increasing women’s participation in the workforce, inequalities continue to persist across caste groups. Women who belong to socially disadvantaged communities face multiple forms of rejection due to the combined effects of caste and gender. These inequalities influence access to education, skill development, employment opportunities, income generation, and overall socio-economic advancement. This study examines the extent and pattern of caste-based disparities in women’s literacy and employment with the objective of understanding how caste influences educational attainment and workforce participation among women. Secondary data sources such as census reports, government publications, labour force surveys, and published research studies are used to analyse trends and regional differences. Thus, women from historically marginalized caste groups generally experience lower literacy rates, reduced educational attainment and limited access to formal employment compared with women from socially advantaged groups. Findings revealed there are many factors that influence women literacy and employment such as early marriages, children’s burdens, safety concerns and mobility especially in work place and transport.
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