Gender inequality in India Inc. remains a glaring truth today. Unfortunately, despite notable advancements in recent years, it persists in the workplace and within households. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2020, India ranked 112th out of 153 countries. It indicates significant disparities in economic participation and opportunity. Women in India face a substantial gender wage gap. A sector-wise analysis shows the gender pay gap at its highest in the manufacturing sector (34.9%) and lowest in the BFSI and Transport, logistics, and communication, at 17.7% (PTI, 2016).
According to the latest Monster Salary Index by online career and recruitment solutions provider Monster India, men earned a median gross hourly salary of ₹288.68. In contrast, women earned ₹207.85 per hour (PTI, 2016).
Economic participation and opportunity for women
The study conducted by Chakraborty and Mukherjee (2014) on the 66th Round of NSS data revealed significant gender wage disparities across industries and occupations. It indicates pervasive discrimination against women in the labour market, both in rural and urban areas. The analysis showed a substantial 37% wage gap when considering both urban and rural areas together. It highlights the persistent reality of wage discrimination against women.
Despite the increase in women’s participation across various sectors and industries, the study revealed that this did not translate into a reduction in the gender wage gap, underscoring the entrenched nature of gender-based pay disparities in the country.
Occupational segregation persists, with women predominantly concentrated in lower-paying sectors. They encounter barriers to entry and advancement in traditionally male-dominated fields.
Gender inequality in India Inc: Women in leadership roles
Women are significantly underrepresented in leadership roles. Data sourced from the Prime database shows that just five per cent of India’s 500 listed companies have a woman as a Chief Executive Officer or a Managing Director. Of these 500 companies, 319 don’t have women as Key Managerial Personnel. Also, women are more likely to lead a company if their family founded it.
Unpaid work by women
In Indian households, entrenched traditional gender roles and cultural norms dictate that women assume the primary responsibility for household chores and caregiving duties, thus constraining their engagement in the workforce. Notably, the unpaid work carried out by women in managing their homes and caring for children contributes significantly to the country’s economy, amounting to approximately 3.1% of the GDP.
According to research findings, women in urban areas dedicate an average of 312 minutes per day to such unpaid care work, while those in rural areas spend around 291 minutes per day on similar tasks. In stark contrast, men allocate merely 29 minutes per day in urban settings and 32 minutes per day in rural environments to unpaid care work, underscoring the stark gender disparities in domestic responsibilities.
Women and lack of resources
Women also face barriers to accessing resources such as education, healthcare, and financial services, perpetuating cycles of poverty and dependence. As of 2021, India recorded a higher nationwide literacy rate among men than women, at 84.4% of the male population and 71.5% of the female population. The gender literacy gap was more evident in rural India, with only 66% of women aged between 15 and 49 being literate, compared to over 81% of their male counterparts in the region.
Gender inequality in India Inc: The gender pay gap
The glaring reality of gender inequality persists in India, echoing both within workplaces and households despite notable strides towards progress. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2020, India ranked 112th out of 153 countries, signifying substantial disparities in economic participation and opportunity.
Within various sectors, women encounter significant wage gaps, with the manufacturing sector exhibiting the highest gap at 34.9% and the BFSI and Transport, Logistics, and Communication sectors showing a 17.7% disparity. Moreover, occupational segregation prevails, hindering women’s entry and advancement in higher-paying fields, while leadership roles remain predominantly male-dominated.
The final thoughts on gender inequality in India Inc
Addressing gender inequality requires comprehensive strategies, including legislative reforms, targeted interventions to promote women’s economic empowerment, and efforts to challenge patriarchal norms and attitudes. While progress has been made, sustained efforts are essential to create a more inclusive and equitable society for all genders. Achieving gender equality brings numerous benefits to individuals, communities, and societies as a whole.
Increased participation by women in the workforce, leadership roles, and decision-making processes contributes to economic growth, social development, and overall well-being. Moreover, breaking down gender stereotypes and fostering inclusivity promotes creativity, innovation, and collaboration in diverse settings.
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