The Future of Women’s Economic Empowerment in South Asia
The Current Landscape
Over the past two decades, women in South Asia have made remarkable strides in education, seen a decline in maternal mortality, and gained greater access to mobile technology. However, in one critical area, progress for women in the region remains lackluster: access to quality jobs and economic opportunities.
Women’s labor force participation in South Asia remains among the lowest in the world, at only 31 percent compared to 77 percent of men in the region. Despite being comparatively better educated, a woman living in South Asia today is no more likely to hold a job than in the early 2000s. What’s more, South Asia’s women are primarily employed in sectors and occupations with limited earning potential, such as family agriculture or home-based entrepreneurship.
Barriers to Economic Participation
So what is driving these gaps in South Asia’s labor markets? Gender bias in hiring locks many women out of job opportunities. Concerns about safety in public places also loom large: Many women pass up attractive jobs or trainings if they involve commuting or working in male-dominated workplaces, which ends up limiting their access to well-paying careers. Sexual harassment in the workplace hinders women from working outside their homes. This is further compounded by social norms that emphasize traditional gender roles and encourage women to stay at home. In many South Asian countries, the absence of legislation mandating equal pay for work of equal value, coupled with laws that restrict women’s ability to work in some sectors or occupations, also contributes to gender pay gaps and discourages women from pursuing professional careers.
The Digital Divide
On top of this, there remains a gender digital divide. Significant gender gaps in access to mobile phones, digital technology, and financial services leave women in South Asia at a disadvantage when it comes to starting and growing their businesses. Perhaps not surprisingly, only 13 percent of firms in the region are owned or co-owned by women.
Economic and Social Costs
This underutilizing of women’s talents in South Asia comes at a huge economic and social cost. The recent South Asia Development Update estimates that raising women’s labor force participation rates to that of men could boost per capita incomes by up to one half. This would be equal to a rise in regional gross domestic product by nearly $2 trillion.
Policy Solutions and Initiatives
We know that policies that improve women’s prospects for quality jobs could accelerate economic growth in South Asia and help countries achieve their development goals. Past experience and recent research show that reforming inheritance rights, providing targeted skills training for women, expanding access to financial services such as mobile money, and providing child and elderly care can all make a difference. These steps can empower women by improving their job opportunities, increasing their earning potential, and boosting their ownership of assets and access to capital—which they can use to make a living.
World Bank Initiatives
This is why the World Bank Group’s new Gender Strategy, launched in October last year, sets out bold global targets to boost women’s economic participation, including enabling 300 million more women to use broadband internet and providing capital to 80 million more women and women-led businesses globally by 2030.
Across South Asia, this plays out through the World Bank’s active support of various programs and initiatives aimed at boosting women’s access to employment, business opportunities, and productive assets.
Case Studies
Sikkim, India: A new World Bank-financed project will help women secure quality jobs through skilling programs in non-farm sectors and by providing child care, which has been shown to significantly help mothers stay in the workforce. Our investments in this area are supported by ongoing research on how to tailor care services to the South Asian context to ensure they meet the unique needs of families in the region, in terms of fees, hours of operation, location, and the types of services provided.
Bangladesh: The Road Safety Project focuses on making public transport safer for women and reducing harassment so it’s easier for women to get well-paying jobs.
Punjab, Pakistan: The Urban Land Systems Enhancement Project supports digitizing land ownership records. The program builds on earlier efforts, which showed that digital land records, combined with biometric identification of heirs, can secure women’s rights to land, allowing them to decide how to use and invest in their land.
Sourcing2Equal Program: Supported by the International Finance Corporation, the World Bank Group’s private sector arm, this program advises companies on how to integrate women-owned small and medium enterprises into their supply chains.
Future Trends and Innovations
Digital Integration
The future of women’s economic empowerment in South Asia will likely see a greater emphasis on digital integration. Initiatives like the South Asia Gender Innovation Lab are already working to generate better data and develop innovative methods to quantify some of the most challenging issues affecting women’s lives in the region, such as safety and mobility. These programs share a common goal: To bring women into the workforce and to empower them to advance toward better-paying jobs or grow their businesses.
Policy Reforms
Policy reforms will continue to be crucial. Legislation mandating equal pay for work of equal value, coupled with laws that support women’s ability to work in all sectors, will be essential. Additionally, targeted skills training and expanded access to financial services will play a pivotal role.
Community and Social Norms
Changing social norms will also be a key focus. Community programs that challenge traditional gender roles and promote women’s participation in the workforce will be instrumental. These programs will likely include awareness campaigns, community dialogues, and educational initiatives.
Initiatives and Programs
| Country/Region | Program | Focus Area | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sikkim, India | World Bank-financed project | Skilling programs, child care | Helps mothers stay in the workforce |
| Bangladesh | Road Safety Project | Public transport safety, reducing harassment | Easier access to well-paying jobs for women |
| Punjab, Pakistan | Urban Land Systems Enhancement Project | Digitizing land ownership records | Secures women’s rights to land, enabling better decision-making |
| Global | Sourcing2Equal Program | Integrating women-owned SMEs into supply chains | Boosts women’s economic participation and business growth |
Did you know?
Did you know that in some South Asian countries, women are less likely to own a mobile phone than men? This digital divide is a significant barrier to economic empowerment, as mobile technology is crucial for accessing financial services and business opportunities.
Pro Tips
For Women: Seek out targeted skills training programs and leverage financial services like mobile money to boost your earning potential.
For Policymakers: Focus on legislation that mandates equal pay and supports women’s participation in all sectors. Invest in digital infrastructure to bridge the gender digital divide.
FAQ Section
Q: What are the main barriers to women’s economic participation in South Asia?
A: The main barriers include gender bias in hiring, safety concerns, sexual harassment, traditional gender roles, lack of legislation for equal pay, and the gender digital divide.
Q: How can policy reforms help women in South Asia?
A: Policy reforms can help by mandating equal pay, supporting women’s participation in all sectors, and providing targeted skills training and financial services.
Q: What role does digital integration play in women’s economic empowerment?
A: Digital integration is crucial for bridging the gender digital divide, enabling women to access financial services and business opportunities, and promoting women’s participation in the workforce.
Let’s #ClearHerPath
We are commemorating International Women’s Day with a spotlight on India event being organized by the Ministry of Women and Child Development of the Government of India. It will be an occasion to celebrate how far women have come and to also take stock of how much further we need to go to create a world where women have the freedom and opportunity to reach their full potential, in whatever way they choose.
Let’s seize this moment to raise our ambitions and aim for enhanced outcomes: improved health and education at every stage in women’s lives, stronger legal rights to protect their interests, and better, safer, and more productive jobs for women. Let’s recommit to working together to #ClearHerPath, so women can unlock their potential and truly thrive.
Call to Action
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