According to a recent survey, “Women and Men in India 2022”, conducted by the National Statistical Office, it has been observed that the wage gap in India has widened based on gender. Men seem to be paid more than women in India for the same occupation.
As per the new survey report, we came across the fact, that women in India face disparities based on their gender. Apparently, in rural areas, the wage gap has widened over the past few years, while in urban areas, it has narrowed.
The survey suggests that, in rural areas of Kerala, an average male is paid Rs. 842 and a female worker is paid Rs.434 a day for the same occupation.
On the other hand, if we look at the wages offered to men in urban areas it is Rs. 483 a day against Rs. 333 per day for women. Women are offered 32% less salary than men in our country.
WHICH STATES IN INDIA HAVE THE WIDEST WAGE GAP?
Many large states were surveyed and it was discovered that Kerala, a state with the highest literacy rate, also has the highest wage gap for both urban and rural areas. The survey suggests that, in Kerala, an average male is being paid Rs. 842 and the female worker is paid Rs.434 per day for the same occupation.
As per the reports, the three states with the highest daily wage for men are Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, and women are believed to be paid 60% less than men in these three states. Other than Kerala, other states that recorded high wages for men compared to women are Uttar Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Odisha, they are paid 70% lower than the men in their states.
WHICH STATES IN INDIA HAVE THE LOWEST WAGE GAP?
On the other hand, the states that recorded less or no wage disparity are Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. Other than the above-mentioned states, the survey was conducted in Gujrat, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh and the only difference we found here is that men are getting paid less in comparison to women (at least 80% less). If we compare the urban and rural areas’ wages for Gujrat, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh, all of these states, seem to have less or no gender divide.
HAVE WE ACTUALLY MADE ANY PROGRESS IN TERMS OF EQUALITY?
Equality starts with equal pay and the statement stands true in the current scenario as it is a crucial aspect for SGD of women. We have come across politicians who claim they have worked a lot for Women’s empowerment and emancipation. DO WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT CLAIMS STAND TRUE IN THE CASE OF INDIA? It still seems unclear, though a lot has changed yet nothing has changed. In order to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)it is important for India to pay attention to Women’s Economic Empowerment.
The pandemic has also played a vital role in the decrease in women’s labour participation which is believed to be reduced by around 55.8%, the same percentage as was recorded in the year, 1987. It seems like we are moving backwards instead of moving forward, a lot of steps need to be taken to achieve pay equity, for working women by increasing transparency around the board and promoting and conducting campaigns that educate women about their rights to equal wages, especially in rural areas and most importantly providing Financial freedom.
