Problems of Women Employees in Private Shops and Business Enterprises, Keral

Abstract

India is the first among countries to give women equal franchise and has a highly credible record with regard to the enactment of laws to protect and promote the interests of women, but women continue to be denied economic, social and legal rights and privileges. Though they are considered to be equal partners in progress, yet they remain subjected to repression, marginalization and exploitation. This study is based on a research conducted on women's employment in private sector. The objective of this paper is to analyze the various problems faced by women in private sector and factors affecting women in their work environment. This paper builds upon existing literature by integrating research on women and employment, and the issues pertaining to it. Data was gathered using in-depth and face to face interviews and the sample consisted of 700 women employed in the private sector at different occupational levels in the 14 districts of Kerala. The study is Exploratory cum Descriptive in nature. The study was designed to provide a rich and detailed description of women's accounts of their employment attitudes, decision-making, and experiences in the workplace. This study provides a brief review of the prevalence and consequence that women face, work–family conflicts, economic precariousness, social constrains, gender discrimination, sexual harassment, occupational health and psycho social problems relating to their work and outlines social policy implications for research, legislation, and primary prevention.