Work Participation and Status of Women in Manipur

Abstract

This paper makes a humble attempt to examine the work participation of women in Manipur, and it also examines their economic status in contemporary society. The improved status of Manipuri women can be explained by increased literacy rate, sex ratio, strong political force, entrepreneurship skills, multiple works including socio-cultural-political-economic activities, and skilled weavers. Although the increasing work participation of women is commendable, yet their participation is much lower compared to their male counterpart. The study finds that female labour force participation is much lower in terms of principal status, weekly status and daily status compared to male. Women are excluded and increasingly marginalised in terms of their decision-making process and right to inherit property with majority of them concentrates their work in vulnerable sectors. This study suggests an inclusive development to improve the economic status of women and their work participation by offering them a better opportunity and financial credit. This will include the number of non-female workers in the stream of female workers. There is a need to formulate a policy to convert the large number of women working in unorganised sectors into more organised sectors.