India’s female labour participation
rate, though still low compared to global standards, has shown steady growth in
recent years. At 37% last year, this increase reflects not only economic
advancement but also a gradual shift in social attitudes toward women’s roles
in the workplace. However, this progress is shadowed by a rising concern:
safety at the workplace, a factor that significantly impacts employment
decisions for women.
With approximately 200 million women in
India’s paid workforce, spanning industries from agriculture and construction
to IT, telecom, and healthcare, women’s presence is undeniable. They are
ambitious, hardworking, and increasingly willing to take on night shifts and
long hours, demonstrating their growing economic power. Yet, this participation
has brought with it an alarming rise in workplace crimes. A study conducted by
the Udaiti Foundation revealed a 29% increase in cases of sexual harassment at
NSE-listed companies, climbing from 1,807 incidents in FY23 to 2,325 in FY24.
While sexual harassment is the most
visible aspect of workplace safety, it is far from the only issue. Laws in
India mandate a variety of essential facilities, such as separate toilets,
reasonable working hours, crèches, and safe transport for late shifts. Despite
this, compliance remains shockingly poor. Large corporations may meet the bare
minimum for women’s safety, but smaller establishments often flout these
requirements entirely. In many cases, it’s not just negligence but an ingrained
systemic failure.
The problem, as with much else in India,
boils down to enforcement. India’s legal framework is replete with progressive
laws designed to protect women, but without effective implementation and
monitoring, these regulations are rendered meaningless. The law relies heavily
on the goodwill of employers to voluntarily comply with legal mandates, a
strategy that predictably fails in most cases. In the absence of robust
monitoring mechanisms—whether through government agencies or independent rights
groups—the safety of women at work remains at the mercy of business interests.
This failure reflects a broader societal
issue. Deep-seated patriarchy, gender stereotyping, and the male sense of
entitlement over women’s bodies perpetuate a culture of disregard for women’s
safety. Even in cases where companies implement safety measures, patriarchal
attitudes often persist, undermining real progress. The systemic nature of
these issues means that mere policy changes or corporate guidelines will never
suffice.
The solution lies in a coordinated effort.
Governments must go beyond policymaking and establish active monitoring
mechanisms that hold companies accountable. Civil society and rights groups
must advocate for consistent enforcement and conduct audits of workplace safety
measures. Corporates, too, must recognize that women’s safety is not a luxury
but a fundamental right and must actively invest in creating secure, inclusive
environments.
