""Discusses the role of women workers who are joining the workforce in the cityscape and bringing to surface the contradictions that this assumption offers"--Provided by publisher"--

Papers presented at a seminar organized by the Indian Society of Labour Economics and Institute of Economic Growth during Dec. 18-20, 1996.

The book is a compilation of papers examining women's role in rural production systems in India. The book is divided into six sections that explore conceptual, theoretical, and methodological issues; primary and secondary data; and historical perspectives.

This book explores the paradox of women’s paid and unpaid work in India. It examines key themes including historical discourses, macroeconomic policies, employment trends, issues of tribal areas, public services and infrastructure, climate change and gendered migration and vulnerability of girl children. It highlights the play of gender norms, resource rights, identities and agency in women’s work. Building on feminist theoretical frameworks and empirical analyses from microstudies, the volume offers fresh perspectives for research and policy on women’s work in the Global South. A timely intervention, this multidisciplinary book will be useful to scholars and researchers of political economy, labour studies, women’s/gender studies, public policy, economics, development studies, sociology, South Asian studies and Global South studies. It will interest planners, policymakers, gender advocates, civil society organisations, human rights bodies and international organisations working towards ensuring gender equality and women’s rights.

The status of women is how the society perceives a women and not what it should be. Women at every stage are deprived of opportunities because of their sexuality. This book is a small step towards the realization of the fragrance called woman and to accept the Kasturithat is the inherent qualityof a woman. India is our motherland and we belong to it. It is high time that we learn to give our women respect and treat them with dignity they deserve. Women are the pillars of any society and the foundation stone of any family. Now they should be accepted as such with all their innate abilities, talents, qualitiesand more than that as 'Women' - a wonderful creation blessed with the power of creation and the power to reproduce and replicate. I hope any small step towards the realization of this concept would bealong step in changing the mindset of all our self-acclaimed social gurus and custodians of dharma and fatwas in treating women as equal partners in the growth of the nation, family and children – an asset which cannot be treated lightly. Gender Inequality In India by Mamta Mahrotra: "Gender Inequality In India: Challenging Social Norms" is a thought-provoking book by Mamta Mahrotra that critically examines the issue of gender inequality in India. Drawing on research, case studies, and personal narratives, the book sheds light on the systemic barriers, social norms, and cultural biases that perpetuate gender disparities. It calls for collective action and societal transformation to achieve gender equality and empower women. Key Aspects of the Book "Gender Inequality In India: Challenging Social Norms": Systemic Analysis: "Gender Inequality In India" provides a systemic analysis of the factors contributing to gender inequality. It explores social, economic, and political dimensions, dissecting the patriarchal structures, gender roles, and discriminatory practices that hinder women's progress and perpetuate inequality. Case Studies and Personal Narratives: The book incorporates case studies and personal narratives that highlight the lived experiences of women affected by gender inequality. These stories bring a human face to the issue, fostering empathy and understanding while illustrating the diverse challenges faced by women in different spheres of life. Call for Transformation: "Gender Inequality In India" advocates for societal transformation to challenge and overcome gender disparities. It emphasizes the importance of collective action, policy reforms, and changing cultural attitudes to create a more inclusive and equitable society. The book aims to inspire readers to actively participate in the movement for gender equality. Mamta Mahrotra, a passionate advocate for gender equality, delves into the complex issue of gender inequality in "Gender Inequality In India: Challenging Social Norms." With a deep understanding of the social, cultural, and systemic factors at play, Mahrotra presents a comprehensive analysis of the challenges faced by women in India. Her book serves as a call to action, urging readers to confront and dismantle the barriers that perpetuate gender inequality. "Gender Inequality In India" invites individuals, policymakers, and society at large to work together towards creating a more just and inclusive world, where women have equal opportunities and their rights are fully realized. Q

While progress has been made in increasing female labor force participation (FLFP) in the last 20 years, large gaps remain. The latest Fund research shows that improving gender diversity can result in larger economic gains than previously thought. Indeed, gender diversity brings benefits all its own. Women bring new skills to the workplace. This may reflect social norms and their impact on upbringing and social interactions, or underlying differences in risk preference and response to incentives for example. As such, there is an economic benefit from diversity, that is from bringing women into the labor force, over and above the benefit resulting from more (male) workers. The study finds that male and female labor are imperfect substitutes in production, and therefore gender differences in the labor force matter. The results also imply that standard models, which ignore such differences, understate the favorable impact of gender inclusion on growth, and misattribute to technology a part of growth that is actually caused by women’s participation. The study further suggests that narrowing gender gaps benefits both men and women, because of a boost to male wages from higher FLFP. The paper also examines the role of women in the process of sectoral reallocation from traditional agriculture to services and the resulting effect on productivity and growth. Because FLFP is relatively high in services, sectoral reallocation along development paths serves to boost gender parity and productivity.