Work Participation Rate

The work participation rate of a state indicates to a great extent the economic empowerment of women in the society. The status of women is intimately connected with their economic position, which in turn depends on opportunities for participation in economic activities.

Kerala, which ranks first among the Indian States in terms of Human Development Index (HDI) and Gender Development Index (GDI) presents however, a poor picture in terms of female work participation. Though, Kerala had acclaimed to have more exalted status for women in the areas of education, life expectancy and health, it remained almost secluded from the civic sphere due to poor or low work participation rate. The work participation rate of women in Kerala is lower than the national average as well as those of other Southern States. The total workforce in Kerala, according to the 2001 Census estimates is around 10.3 millions out of which 7.8 millions are males and only 2.5 millions are females.

With regard to WPR, Kerala occupied only the 19th position with women’s work participation rate as low as 15.3%. The total work participation has increased in the last decade (Census 2001) in both urban and rural areas of the state, in the case of women a reverse trend has set in. The female work participation rate has decreased from 15.9 per cent in 1991 to 15.3 per cent in 2001. This indeed is one of the unpleasant realities that force the womenfolk to raise voice against the high social development of the state especially for females.

Female Work Participation Rate

According to the 2001 census Malappuram continues to be the district with the lowest female workforce participation rate (6.6%) in the state, in rural as well as in urban areas. While, work participation among females is highest in Wayanad. It is worth noting that most of the districts have witnessed a fall in the work participation rate, which is more pronounced in the rural areas. It appears that conditions determining female activity vary considerably among rural and urban areas, as well as among the districts.

There exists gross mismatch between women’s capabilities gained in terms of education and the opportunities that they have in terms of employment or social involvement and the aspirations they have in Kerala.

This again is a paradox with regard to women development in Kerala. On the one hand, one witnesses commendable growth in different indicators of women, but on the other hand, presence of women decline sharply in the work force in the state!