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