Date : 12/07/2023

Relevance – GS Paper 1 – Society – Women

Keywords – Life expectancy, sex-selective abortion, demographic shifts

Context

India's demographic journey has significantly influenced the lives of its citizens, particularly women. Over the years, India's population has grown from 340 million at Independence to 1.4 billion, driven by improved public health, receding starvation, and medical advancements. Notably, the increase in male life expectancy from 56 years in 1941 to 69 years today has brought about substantial changes in family dynamics and women's experiences.

Change for Indian Women:

As families began having fewer children, the challenge of ensuring at least one son became more pronounced. With smaller families, the chance of not having a son increased from 6% to 25%. Deeply rooted social norms, combined with patrilocal kinship patterns and financial insecurity, have reinforced the preference for sons. This preference has led to practices such as sex-selective abortion and neglect of sick daughters, contributing to a decline in the number of girls per 100 boys under the age of five.

The decline in fertility rates has also impacted women's lives in terms of motherhood and education. With a decrease in the number of children, active mothering has occupied a smaller portion of women's lives, allowing space for education and employment. However, early marriage and childbearing continue to be influential factors, despite increased educational opportunities for women. The average age at first birth remains below 22 years for those born in the 1980s, hindering women's labor force participation and access to skilled jobs.

Demographic shifts also affect women's lives as they age. With rising life expectancy, the proportion of the female population aged 65 and above has increased from 5% to 11% between 1950 and 2022. Women, who generally marry older men, are more likely to outlive their husbands. Consequently, a significant portion of elderly women, around 55%, become widowed, leading to dependence on their children, primarily sons. This perpetuates the vicious cycle of son preference and limited access to savings and property for widowed women.

Harnessing the Gender Dividend:

While changing patriarchal norms may take time, it is crucial to enhance women's access to employment and assets. By reducing reliance on sons, women can break the cycle of gendered disadvantage that spans from childhood to old age. However, unlike East Asian nations where demographic transformations have led to delayed marriage and childbearing, early marriage and childbearing remain central to the lives of Indian women. Therefore, efforts to improve women's labor force participation must be accompanied by access to safe and affordable childcare.

The Importance of Childcare Access:

Studies have shown the positive impact of childcare facilities on women's work participation. For instance, a World Bank evaluation in Madhya Pradesh demonstrated an increase in the employment rates of mothers when Anganwadis were expanded to include childcare services. Access to childcare is essential for women to establish secure connections to the labor market and gain work experience. Strategies to enhance childcare access could involve making staffing creches an acceptable form of work under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) and utilizing the self-help group movement to set up neighborhood child-care centers in both urban and rural areas.

Conclusion

In conclusion, India's demographic transition has brought about significant changes in the lives of women. To fully harness the potential of this transition, it is essential to challenge patriarchal norms, enhance women's access to employment and assets, and ensure access to safe and affordable childcare. By doing so, India can break the cycle of gendered disadvantage and achieve the much-desired demographic dividend.

Source – The Hindu