Swami Vivekananda once said, “It is not possible for a bird to fly on one wing,” stressing the importance of gender equality. However, in 2024, India’s aspirations for equal opportunities for women remain largely unmet. Despite decades of progress, major gaps persist in education and employment, particularly after marriage.
A World Bank report titled Education, Social Norms, and the Marriage Penalty: Evidence from South Asia reveals that around 13% of employed women drop out of the workforce after marriage, citing societal norms and household responsibilities as contributing factors.
Key Insights from the World Bank Report:
- Marriage Penalty in Employment:
- Women’s employment drops by 12 percentage points post-marriage, even without children. This “marriage penalty” can last for up to five years, reflecting entrenched gender norms.
- In contrast, men experience a 13 percentage point boost in employment rates after marriage, though this advantage diminishes over time.
- Impact of Higher Education:
- Women with higher education are far less likely to quit their jobs after marriage. Those with qualifications equal to their partners or beyond high school have significantly higher retention in the workforce.
- Marriage vs. Childbirth:
- Surprisingly, the workforce attrition rate is higher after marriage than after childbirth. This suggests that societal expectations tied to marriage have a stronger impact on women’s careers than motherhood.
- The Role of Social Norms:
- While higher education helps women challenge traditional norms, a shift in household gender expectations is equally necessary to reduce post-marriage job attrition. Education can empower women, but changing cultural perceptions is essential for long-term equality.
Gender Disparity in India’s Higher Education:
According to the Global Gender Gap Report 2024 by the World Economic Forum, India ranks 129th out of 146 economies in gender parity, with education remaining a critical challenge. While women’s participation in higher education has increased, with a gross enrollment ratio of 28.5% for women aged 18-23, disparities still exist in specific fields.
- Female dominance in some fields: Women constitute 57% of MA enrollments but are vastly underrepresented in MBA programs, where men account for 76%.
- Disparities in advanced studies: Male students dominate diploma, Ph.D., and integrated programs, with men comprising 65% of diploma and 55% of Ph.D. enrollments.
Cultural and Socioeconomic Barriers:
India’s gender disparity in education and employment is driven by deep-rooted cultural norms, socioeconomic factors, and infrastructural challenges.
- Patriarchal Mindsets:
- In many communities, girls are still seen as future homemakers, while boys are expected to be breadwinners. This mindset limits girls’ access to higher education and professional opportunities.
- Socioeconomic Constraints and Early Marriages:
- Financial difficulties often lead to early marriages, with girls dropping out of school to fulfill traditional family roles, further widening the education and workforce gap.
- Safety Concerns and Lack of Infrastructure:
- Poor sanitation facilities and long, unsafe commutes to school deter families from sending girls to school, particularly in rural areas.
- Workplace Gender Bias:
- Despite policies on diversity, many companies still overlook women for leadership roles, and hiring practices often favor men for top positions. Wage gaps and gender bias in promotions further limit women’s career progression.
- Limited Mentorship Opportunities:
- The lack of mentorship programs and support networks for women exacerbates their professional challenges, hindering their growth in competitive sectors.
The Path Forward:
To close the gender gap in education and employment, India needs a comprehensive approach that includes:
- Continued emphasis on higher education for women, ensuring equal access and opportunities across all fields.
- Policy interventions to address the marriage penalty, including workplace reforms that support women post-marriage and after childbirth.
- Cultural shifts challenging traditional gender norms within households and communities, promoting gender equality in both educational and professional settings.
- Enhanced infrastructure and safety measures in schools, particularly in rural areas, to reduce dropout rates for adolescent girls.
India’s future economic and social progress depends on addressing these gender disparities and ensuring that women are not only educated but are also empowered to participate fully in the workforce.
