in the workforce outside the home has helped emancipate the woman as well as improve the family’s resources. Women have started participating in each sector of the economy, many of them occupying senior positions. However, this has placed a double burden on women, since they are still expected to perform most or all of their household chores and be the primary caregivers. Issues and Concerns Related to Women and Work Opportunities of participation by women in the labour market have declined and they have been marginalised due to the need for skilled workers.
Therefore, to safeguard the interests of women, training facilities to develop skills need to be increased. Primary earning members are considered to be men and women’s earnings are considered supplementary and secondary, and even if they are sole bread earners, they do not have a similar standing in the market. Some of the other issues concerning women in modern India are stress and adverse effects on health, security and safety at work places without gender discrimination, maternity benefits and social support for child care. Constitutional Rights, Acts and The State Initiatives: It is important to note that the Constitution of India guarantees equality to both men and women in all walks of life, including guaranteeing equal opportunity for all citizens in matters relating to employment or appointment to any office under the State and forbids discrimination in respect of any employment or office on grounds of caste, creed, colour, race or sex.
It also stipulates that women workers be provided just and humane conditions of work and be protected from any kind of exploitation, and be supported and encouraged in their educational and economic pursuits. The Indian Constitution also empowers the State to make special provisions for women and children. Also, there are Acts which safeguard Constitutional rights of women such as the Factories Act of , the Plantation Labour Act of , the Mines Act of , etc. which provide protection to women in various industrial sectors, Employees State Insurance Act (ESI Act) and the Maternity Benefit Act, .