USPC CSE 2021 Main GS Paper 1
Question - Examine the role of 'Gig Economy' in the process of empowerment of women in India.
Answer
The gig economy is a term that refers to the growing trend of independent and flexible work arrangements, where workers are hired for short-term projects or tasks, often through online platforms or apps. The gig economy can offer various benefits and challenges for workers, employers, and society.
The gig economy can play a role in the process of empowerment of women in India in the following ways:
It can provide more opportunities for women to enter the formal sector, especially in sectors that are traditionally male-dominated, such as taxi driving, web designing, content development, etc. The gig economy can also help women access global markets and clients, and increase their income and bargaining power.
It can offer more flexibility and autonomy for women to balance their work and personal responsibilities, such as household chores, childcare, eldercare, etc. The gig economy can also enable women to choose their preferred working hours, locations, and projects, and avoid the stress and harassment of commuting or working in unsafe environments.
It can enhance the skills and confidence of women by exposing them to diverse and challenging work experiences, and providing them with feedback and recognition. The gig economy can also encourage women to learn new technologies and digital tools, and upgrade their qualifications and certifications.
It can foster a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation among women by allowing them to create their own brands and portfolios, and explore their passions and interests. The gig economy can also support women's networking and collaboration with other professionals and communities, and inspire them to mentor and empower other women.
However, the gig economy also poses some risks and limitations for the empowerment of women in India, such as:
It can create precarious and insecure work conditions for women, who may face irregular income, lack of social security benefits, legal protection, or collective bargaining rights. The gig economy may also expose women to exploitation, discrimination, or violence from clients or platforms.
It can increase the workload and stress for women, who may have to juggle multiple gigs and roles, without adequate support or recognition from their families or society. The gig economy may also create a digital divide among women, who may not have equal access to or proficiency in the required technologies or platforms.
It can undermine the quality and value of women's work by creating a race to the bottom in terms of wages, standards, or ethics. The gig economy may also reinforce the stereotypes and biases against women's work, such as devaluing their skills or contributions, or limiting their choices or opportunities.
It can isolate and alienate women from their peers and organizations, who may lose the sense of belonging or identity that comes from being part of a team or a community. The gig economy may also discourage women from seeking long-term career growth or development, or pursuing their aspirations or goals.
Therefore, the gig economy has both positive and negative impacts on the empowerment of women in India. It is important to create an enabling environment that supports and safeguards the rights and interests of women workers in the gig economy, such as by providing them with access to education, training, finance, health care, social protection, legal aid, etc. It is also essential to promote a culture of respect and appreciation for women's work in the gig economy, such as by recognizing their achievements, celebrating their diversity, and empowering their voices.