Subject: Indian Society

Economic liberalization and globalization have brought both opportunities and challenges for women in India, leading to complex socio-economic transformations since the 1990s.

Positive Effects of Globalisation on Women

Economic Empowerment:

• Enhanced employment opportunities in IT, BPO, and Service sectors leading to financial independence and improved social status.
• Rise in women entrepreneurship with 20.5% of India's 63 million MSMEs being women-owned enterprises as of 2024.
• Integration with global markets has opened new avenues through e-commerce platforms and digital marketplaces.

Social Transformation:

• Increased access to education and professional training through global educational partnerships.
• Greater awareness of rights and gender equality through exposure to international media and feminist movements.
• Breaking traditional gender roles with women entering previously male-dominated sectors.

Technological Advancement:

• Digital literacy initiatives like PM Digital Saksharta Abhiyan enabling women to participate in the global digital economy.
• Access to online learning platforms facilitating skill development and career growth.

Negative Effects of Globalisation on Women

Economic Challenges:

• Persistent gender wage gap with men earning 82% of total labor income while women earn only 18% (World Inequality Report 2022).
• Displacement of women from traditional sectors due to mechanization and corporate farming.
• Informal sector workers facing job insecurity and lack of social security benefits.

Social Impact:

• Double burden of managing professional careers while fulfilling traditional domestic responsibilities.
• Increased vulnerability to workplace harassment and exploitation in global supply chains.
• Cultural tensions between modern aspirations and traditional values.

Health and Well-being:

• Occupational health hazards in export-oriented industries.
• Work-related stress and mental health challenges due to competitive pressures.
• Impact on work-life balance affecting family relationships.

Globalization has acted as a double-edged sword for Indian women, necessitating targeted interventions through policies like Mahila Shakti Kendra and Stand-Up India to maximize benefits while minimizing negative impacts. The way forward lies in creating an inclusive globalization model that ensures gender-responsive policies and equal opportunities for women's advancement.