The percentage of female workers in the population in Rajasthan has increased to 39% in 2021-22, the highest rate in three years, according to official data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), conducted by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). The data was revealed by Minister of State for Labour and Employment Rameswar Teli in the Rajya Sabha.
The Worker Population Ratio (WPR) for male and female graduates aged 15 years and above in Rajasthan was 61.9% and 17.2%, respectively, in 2020-21, marking the lowest rate for female graduates in three years. The WPR in 2019-20 was 64.8% for male graduates and 22.4% for female graduates, and in 2018-19, it was 65.0% and 19.1%, for male and female graduates respectively.
India’s WPR for females aged 15 and above increased to an estimated 31.7% in 2021-22 from 22% in 2017-18, as per the latest PLFS reports. During 2021 and 2022, 32.24 lakh and 39.97 lakh job-seekers registered in employment exchanges respectively.
The rise in WPR for females in Rajasthan is a positive sign towards gender equality and female workforce participation. However, there is still a significant gap between the WPR of males and females in the state. The government must continue working towards creating an enabling environment for women to participate in the workforce while also addressing issues such as pay parity and discrimination.
It is encouraging to see progress in increasing the participation of women in the workforce. Economically empowering women is essential for development and growth, and it is vital for the government and private sector to continue to prioritize this. As the country gradually recovers from the pandemic, efforts to support and uplift women in the workforce must remain a priority.
