Discuss the positive and negative effects of globalisation on women in India?

GS 1
Indian Society
2015
12.5 Marks

Subject: Indian Society

Economic liberalization and globalization have brought both opportunities and challenges for women in India, leading to complex socio-economic transformations since the 1990s.

Positive Effects of Globalisation on Women

Economic Empowerment:

  • Enhanced employment opportunities in IT, BPO, and Service sectors leading to financial independence and improved social status.
  • Rise in women entrepreneurship with 20.5% of India's 63 million MSMEs being women-owned enterprises as of 2024.
  • Integration with global markets has opened new avenues through e-commerce platforms and digital marketplaces.

Social Transformation:

  • Increased access to education and professional training through global educational partnerships.
  • Greater awareness of rights and gender equality through exposure to international media and feminist movements.
  • Breaking traditional gender roles with women entering previously male-dominated sectors.

Technological Advancement:

  • Digital literacy initiatives like PM Digital Saksharta Abhiyan enabling women to participate in the global digital economy.
  • Access to online learning platforms facilitating skill development and career growth.

Negative Effects of Globalisation on Women

Economic Challenges:

  • Persistent gender wage gap with men earning 82% of total labor income while women earn only 18% (World Inequality Report 2022).
  • Displacement of women from traditional sectors due to mechanization and corporate farming.
  • Informal sector workers facing job insecurity and lack of social security benefits.

Social Impact:

  • Double burden of managing professional careers while fulfilling traditional domestic responsibilities.
  • Increased vulnerability to workplace harassment and exploitation in global supply chains.
  • Cultural tensions between modern aspirations and traditional values.

Health and Well-being:

  • Occupational health hazards in export-oriented industries.
  • Work-related stress and mental health challenges due to competitive pressures.
  • Impact on work-life balance affecting family relationships.

Globalization has acted as a double-edged sword for Indian women, necessitating targeted interventions through policies like Mahila Shakti Kendra and Stand-Up India to maximize benefits while minimizing negative impacts. The way forward lies in creating an inclusive globalization model that ensures gender-responsive policies and equal opportunities for women's advancement.

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