Culture’s influence on the Hiring Of Women- Quote by Kanika Gupta Shori

 “A woman with a voice is by definition a strong woman. But the search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult.”

– Melinda Gates

For years, women have found themselves engaged with conventional household chores. Women in suburban areas have barely stepped outside of their home and dedicated their whole life to cooking and maintenance of the household. Women in urban areas suffer from the same fate. The employment rate of women has been considerably low in urban areas. This has mainly resulted from the low rate of literacy among women. Twenty-five percent of women are unemployed in cities and urban areas.

A number of other factors contribute to the low rate of employment among women. Not only education but social influence and family also play a huge role. Most women are brought up to help with the domestic work or are married off before they can complete their education, let alone find a job.  Socio-cultural and socio-economic status contributes significantly to high rates of unemployment among women. There is a high demand for female workers but women are held back by a number of causes, family being the chief cause. Many parts of the country still deny women their independence and freedom.

The researches came up with a number of facts regarding why the rate of female employment is so low. They found that companies assume that women cannot work for longer hours and neither can they maintain healthy social connections. Employers have also stated that men have a higher right to work than women and women consider jobs as their “hobby “.

Women in rural areas have been starting their own business or factories. They come up with cottage industries and small scale industries that do not need too many laborer or machinery. The main problem with this is raising funds. The rural banks often deny giving women loan and the women face the burden of financing their industry. Cottage industries face high competition and the supply of raw material is not always constant. Therefore, these industries fail to generate regular income for these women.

Educated women are also facing the problem of unemployment. They face the lack of exposure and experience and therefore are oblivious to a large number of opportunities. Patriarchy and the fear of feminism is one of the causes of the unemployment of women.  Women are prompted to get married, raise a family and look after their children. Women have been brainwashed to want these things for themselves. For most Indian women, career is not as important as having and maintaining a proper family life.

Researchers have shown that companies run by women fetch higher profits than those which are not. Women are more dedicated to their work and are eager to work harder and prove themselves. There are many professions where there is a high demand for women. Gynecology is one such profession. However, women have come a long way and fought many wars. Today they are much more empowered and aware of their surroundings. Recent times have seen some women who are more career-driven than men. Women today want to go beyond their traditional household chores. They want to earn money and respect and they want to be able to live independently.

Women have learned to balance their work-life and family, a skill that the men are yet to learn. A number of successful companies have female Chief Executive Officers. Women nowadays and opening their own start-ups and some have even become famous entrepreneurs. The government is taking steps to deal with the problem of female unemployment. There are also a number of NGOs who are working for the same cause. Today, the women are overcoming all odds. Men of the society are also changing their views towards female employment. 

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