Green Jobs and the Problem of Gender Disparity

Context:

The shift towards low-carbon development in India has the potential to generate approximately 35 million green jobs by the year 2047. Green jobs, as defined by the International Labour Organization, refer to “decent jobs that contribute to the preservation or restoration of the environment.” These opportunities span various sectors, including manufacturing, construction, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and automobiles, which traditionally exhibited lower female representation.

Relevance:

GS1-

Role of Women

GS3-

• Inclusive Growth
• Growth, Development and Employment

Mains Question:

Examine the status of female participation in green jobs in India. How can increasing women’s representation in green jobs lead to benefits such as boosting a low-carbon and environmentally sustainable economy? (15 Marks, 250 Words)

Green Jobs and Women:

• On a global scale, men are expected to transition into green jobs more rapidly than women. Despite India’s notable 250% increase in renewable energy capacity from 2015 to 2021, women constituted only 11% of the workforce in the solar rooftop sector.
• A 2023 study conducted by the Skill Council for Green Jobs revealed that 85% of green skills training was provided to men, while more than 90% of women expressed the belief that societal norms hindered their participation in such training for green jobs.
• These societal norms encompass factors like the perception that women are unfit for specific technical roles, safety concerns, lower representation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects, as well as familial constraints.
• In India, despite women constituting 42.7% of STEM graduates, they make up only 30.8% in engineering, manufacturing, and construction programs – pivotal sectors for green transition.

Significance of Having Women in Green Jobs:

• As India undergoes a transition towards green practices, promoting the empowerment of women and advancing gender equality in climate actions becomes crucial for unlocking the co-benefits of a low-carbon and environmentally sustainable economy.
• Augmenting women’s representation in green jobs offers several advantages. In the short term, it can address gender biases in the Indian labor market and enhance women’s participation rates in the workforce.
• In the long run, this approach can contribute to enhancing women’s agency and empowerment by creating economic, technical, and social opportunities.

Way Forward:

Address the Gaps in Data:

• Addressing the gaps in data is essential, as there is currently limited information available to comprehend the landscape of women’s involvement in green jobs in India.
• Initiating efforts to map emerging areas for green growth and collecting sex-disaggregated data on green jobs could serve as an initial step to enhance women’s participation.
• There is a crucial need to generate evidence regarding the current and future impact of low-carbon transitions on women workers and entrepreneurs.
• This involves acknowledging the hidden and invisible roles played by women across various sectors and geographical locations.
• Conducting gender analyses, gathering gender-specific statistics on green jobs through regular labor force surveys, and mobilizing additional resources are key strategies to highlight and encourage women’s contributions to the green transition.

Improving Accessibility:

• On a global scale, women are lagging behind in the worldwide race to achieve climate targets and sustainability goals. This is particularly evident in the shift toward a low-carbon economy, where new opportunities arise alongside job displacement and transformation.
• A significant step towards justice and inclusivity in transition planning was taken during COP 28‘s high-level dialogue, which launched the ‘Gender-Responsive Just Transitions and Climate Action Partnership.’
• This initiative focuses on improved data, targeted financing, and skill development to address the disparities in the transition to a more sustainable future.
• Given the existing disparities in women’s employment and involvement in green jobs, it is imperative to ensure that women have access to emerging opportunities arising from low-carbon transitions.
• There is a pressing need to reevaluate the current situation, delineate the existing roles of women, address structural barriers impeding women’s employment choices, and establish a supportive environment conducive to fostering their engagement in green jobs.
• To bridge this gap, essential measures include early hands-on learning, mentorship programs, scholarships, financial assistance, and awareness initiatives. These efforts are crucial in empowering women in fields related to green jobs.

Supporting Women Entrepreneurs:

• Supporting women entrepreneurs involves the implementation of gender-focused financial policies and products tailored to meet the specific needs of women in the green transition market.
• Initiatives such as collateral-free lending, financial literacy training, and the establishment of supportive networks are essential steps to unlock the potential of women entrepreneurs.
• It is crucial to develop appropriate tools for assessing creditworthiness, facilitating loan disbursement, and reducing operational costs for businesses owned by women.
• Additionally, promoting the inclusion of more women in leadership positions is vital for incorporating gender-specific needs into low-carbon development strategies, thereby facilitating women’s integration into green jobs.
• Achieving a gender-just transition requires a comprehensive strategy addressing employment, social protection, the reduction of care work burdens, and facilitating skill development.
• Collaborative efforts involving partnerships across the government, private sector, and other stakeholders are necessary to leverage the benefits of innovation, technology, and finance for women entrepreneurs and workers.

Conclusion:

Businesses need to acknowledge the pivotal role of gender justice and strive for fairness throughout the green transition process. This involves addressing barriers stemming from stereotypes or gender bias and creating equal job opportunities for a transition that benefits everyone. It is an opportune moment to enhance the capabilities and provide support to women, enabling them to meet the demands of the evolving world of work. This collaborative effort aims to co-design a future pathway that is socially equitable and inclusive for all.