Women representation in male-dominated jobs: Still a far-fetched dream

NEW DELHI: Albeit the great advancement made through the women empowerment scheme over the years, the ultimate target of equal representation of women in male-dominated sectors remains a far-fetched dream.

Women in Politics:

• 14.44% in 17th Lok Sabha.
• 9% in the legislative assembly

In employment:

• Less than 15% of central employees
• 14% women secretaries at the center by 2022
• Less than three women chief secretaries
• India has never had a woman cabinet secretary
• There are no women secretaries in Home, Finance, Defense and other departments.

Entrepreneurs

• 14% of total entrepreneurs in India
• 20.37% of micro, small and medium enterprise owners,
• 23.3% of these workers are women
• Start-Ups by women - 10%
• Women running business: 1.57 crore

Women and Education

• 9% female literacy in 1947
• In the year 2023, female literacy has reached 77%,
• Male literacy is 84.7%
• 12.6% of students drop out

Female population

• 58.6 crores in 2011 census
• World Bank's estimate for 2022 is 68.59 crores