India is witnessing a sharp decline in the number of women in its workforce. The female labour force participation fell from 34.8 percent in 1990 to 27 percent in 2013, according to an IndiaSpend report. The report further adds that in South Asia, India had the lowest rate of women employment, after only Pakistan in 2013 (Source: World Bank Report, April 2017).
To pursue the profession of their choice involves several battles for many women. Add to it obstacles like stalking and harassment, and the situation seems even bleaker.
Women at Work
While fields like health and education, two traditionally acceptable ‘women-appropriate’ professions, almost enjoy gender equality in terms of the male-female ratio in the workforce, it’s a rare instance.
The most stark differences are witnessed in manufacturing and construction. The disparity in construction can be overlooked based on the assumption that the field relies heavily on physical strength. However, the same assumption cannot be made about manufacturing, where there are over 80 lakh men for about 18 lakh women.
Stalking Cases From All Over the Country
In Chandigarh, Varnika Kundu was brazenly stalked by two men, later identified as Vikas Barala, son of Haryana BJP chief Subhash Barala, and his accomplice Ashish. Soon after, a stalking incident in Gurugram was brought to light. A woman, returning home to Rajeev Chowk from her office late on 7 August on her scooter, was stalked by two men in a car for around four kilometres.
This was followed by another horrifying case of stalking in Mumbai where Aditi Nagpaul, a designer based in Mumbai, took to Facebook to narrate her ordeal.
A man allegedly followed her up to her apartment at 2 am. In her post, she wrote:
He didn’t have any fear in his eyes, a fear of being captured by security cameras [sic], interrogation by security guards or threats of Police! He just hung around coolly in his car long after the incident very comfortable in getting his pictures clicked! [sic]
In a society where women’s safety seems to be a privilege than a right, stepping out of the house becomes harder and harder every day. For how much longer will working women have to wage a battle for their safety just for daring to step outside?
Video Editor: Vivek Gupta
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