Women in the Economy: Rural and Urban - Coursework Example

Women in the Economy: Urban and Rural Section: Women in both urban and rural areas are fast becoming major contributors to the global economy. They have become a part of the labor force in several sectors such as exports and agriculture. Though the percentage of women occupying key positions at work is still lesser than men at present, it is bound to undergo a rapid change in the coming years when there would be equality at work place. Provision of adequate education to women would help them achieve better social status and they can help boost the economy at large. Many governments all over the world are recognizing the potential and ability of women to handle various forms of labor and are beginning to provide more opportunities for women especially for mothers. Several policies are being initiated for women employees that would enable them to manage both home and work. Gone are the days when women were economically completely dependent on men. In this new dawn of civilization women are empowered with education and as a result have become major contributors to the country’s economy. According to the international labor organization, women constitute about 40% of the workforce globally. In developed countries this percentage is about 70%, while in developing countries it is 60% (Facts on women at work, n.d). Thus this statistics is sufficient to prove that women have become major contributors to the world economy, which in turn has helped them to achieve better social and financial status. While their economic status is improving, a very low percentage of women behold top executive positions in a company and also there is a gender pay gap that still continues to exist. Such discriminations are being bought under control through government legislations and if successful the contribution of women to the countries economy can be fully realized. In case of rural women, who play a major role in the agricultural produce in a country, there is hardly any recognition given for their contribution to the economy. These women are involved in every step of agricultural process, but their work remains invisible to the outer world (Prakash, 1999). The contribution of women in the formal and in the informal sectors of work should be recognized. While women with a good educational background have taken up suitable employment in the services industries which has gained a better impetus due to the declining employment in the manufacturing sector. According to reports in the Ease Asian economy for every 100 men there are 83 women, which is the ratio of employment between the sexes. In this about 60 to 70% women have found employment in export sectors that includes textiles and clothing. In addition, a major percent of part-time workers, 60 to 90%, throughout the world are women and women have also made their foray into the field of business. (Women and the World Economy, 2006) In countries such as the US, Canada and Thailand more than 30% of the businesses are run by women. Thus women are also successful in the entrepreneurial field (Women and the World Economy, 2006; International Labor Organization, 2002). While this constitutes formal employment of women, there are millions of women who are part of the informal economy. This includes women working in unregistered enterprises, the agricultural sector, domestic workers, self-employed, unpaid household workers and all others who do not work under any fixed employee or organization. In certain countries agricultural work is not included under informal work. In developing countries, for example, self-employment constitutes a major form of informal employment (Facts on women at work, n.d; Women and the World Economy, 2006; Women in the Informal Economy, n.d; International Labor Organization, 2002). It is quite difficult to obtain the exact percentage of women working in the informal sector as it includes those who work from home or outside as street vendors. But their contribution to the economy cannot be neglected as women in the informal economy contribute almost equally or more then men. However, it is to be noted that these women are less protected and poorly paid. In countries such as India, Africa and Mexico a major chunk of women are part of the informal economy (Facts on women at work, n.d; Women and the World Economy, 2006; Women in the Informal Economy, n.d). The increasing trend of women being employed in various fields has given a major boost to the GDP. In the case of developed countries statistics reveal that women produce more than 40% of the total GDP of the country, the majority of which is from agriculture (Facts on women at work, n.d). Women form the major workforce in the agricultural field and this is evident in Africa, and the Caribbean where women constitute about 80% of the agricultural labor, in Asia the percentage ranges between 50 to 90%, and in Latin America and the Middle-east women comprise more than 50% of the labor force. This includes work right from the preparation of the soil, to sowing and harvest. Additionally women are mainly responsible for marketing the agricultural produce by selling them in markets and other neighborhoods (Prakash, 1999). Despite this representation the wages earned by women in the informal economy is less compared to that of formal employment and they usually are not recognized for their work. These are the people who sell their products as street vendors or move from one place to another carrying their products. Most women earn a living from home by producing perishable or other products. These women are least visible to the outside world and their work is not regulated under any legal framework. They are not offered ant form of benefits, protection or representation, despite their contribution to the economy (International Labor Organization, 2002). In order to improve the statistics on the informal economy several experts in the field have come together to form a global network, Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO). In addition to providing statistical inputs, WIEGO has also worked to promote the welfare of women involved in informal employment (Women in the Informal Economy, n.d; International Labor Organization, 2002). Women are contributing to the growing economy not only as workers but also as consumers. The buying potential of women has drastically increased and they are making the final buying decisions with regard to household and personal consumer products. This purchasing power of women has increased the productivity in a number of companies worldwide. Studies reveal that women are better investors compared to men and companies which had women in their senior positions earned better revenues compared to the businesses that had a lesser workforce of women in top positions. This simply proves that women are efficient at managerial work (Women and the World Economy, 2006). This experience is gained right from home where it is chiefly women who run the show. However despite their efficiency, only about 50% of the womenfolk in countries like Japan and within Europe have paid jobs. This would definitely have an impact on the economic growth of these countries as studies have consistently shown that the GDP of a country is dependent on the gender equality with regard to employment. The higher number of people employed in a country the better the GDP. One of the major reasons for reduced employment of women is they are entrusted with the responsibility of taking care of their children as most companies in countries like Japan and Germany do not provide privileges for working mothers. But in countries like Sweden, where there is a higher percentage of working women, fertility rate has only been in the increase as it provides a more flexible working atmosphere for mothers. This explains that if a company frames the right set of policies for women, it would encourage more women to take up employment (Women and the World Economy, 2006). Despite all the above contributions by women to the economy at large, they still earn less then men and in many countries are not eligible for access to property or finance. This is crippling the economic progress of women. It must be however added that many governments through out the world are taken steps to alleviate social, economic and legal discriminations against women. This would help both the rural and urban women to enhance their status in society and also contribute to the growth of the country and the world at large. One of the basic requirements for this is the provision of basic and higher education to women. This would help women to improve their knowledge and understanding and aid in shaping their careers. Organizations like the WIEGO are helping women in entrepreneurial work by encouraging home based employment by which women would be able to balance their family life and career. Economic independence will help women to enhance their skills and achieve a better status in society. It would bring about equality among the sexes and would prevent bias in any form against women. Hence governments should lay out suitable policies and programmes that would facilitate more women to take up employment (Facts on women at work, n.d; Women and the World Economy, 2006; International Labor Organization, 2002). Reference: 1. Facts on women at work (n.d). International Labor Organization. Retrieved August 18, 2009, from http://www.ilo.org/public/english/region/eurpro/budapest/download/womenwork.pdf 2. Women and the World Economy. (2006, April 12). The Economist. Retrieved August 18, 2009, from http://www.policy.hu/nagy/Economist12042006_A%20guide%20to%20womenomics.doc 3. Women in the Informal Economy (n.d). Retrieved August 18, 2009, from http://www.wiego.org/papers/brochure.pdf 4. Prakash, D. (1999, August 24-29). Rural Women, Food Security and Agricultural Cooperatives. Paper presented at the 4th Asian- African International Conference on Women in Agricultural Cooperatives in Asia and Africa, Tokyo, Japan. Retrieved August 18, 2009, from http://www.uwcc.wisc.edu/info/intl/rur_women.pdf 5. International Labor Organization. (2002). Women and Men in the Informal Economy: a Statistical Picture. Retrieved August 18, 2009 from http://www.ilo.org/public/english/employment/gems/download/women.pdf 6. Women and the World Economy [Image]. (2006). Retrieved August 18, 2009, from http://www.policy.hu/nagy/Economist12042006_A%20guide%20to%20womenomics.doc Read More