Prelims: Current events of national importance, Environmental pollution and degradation(ILO, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), COP28 etc
Mains GS Paper III: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation,Solar energy and its use in different sectors particularly agriculture etc.
ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS
- A study in 2023 by the Skill Council for Green Jobs indicated that 85% of the training for green skills was imparted to men while over 90% of women believed that social norms limited their participation in training for green jobs.
- The transition to low-carbon development has the potential to add about 35 million green jobs in India by 2047.
INSIGHTS ON THE ISSUE
Context
Green jobs:
- They are a class of jobs that directly have a positive impact on the planet, and contribute to the overall environmental welfare.
- They’re aimed at reducing the negative environmental impact of economic sectors and furthering the process of creating a low-carbon economy.
- Jobs involving renewable energy, conservation of resources, ensuring energy efficient means are categorized under the same.
- The International Labour Organization defines green jobs as “decent jobs that contribute to preservation or restoration of the environment”.
- They span across sectors, such as manufacturing, construction, renewable energy, energy efficiency and automobiles, which traditionally saw a lower representation of women.
Gender parity:
- Globally, men are likely to transition to green jobs faster than women.
- India increased its renewable energy capacity by 250% between 2015 to 2021,
- women comprising merely 11% of workers in the solar rooftop sector.
- The Annual Survey of Industries 2019-20 shows that women workers are mostly concentrated in industries such as apparel, textile, leather, food, and tobacco.
- Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) 2019 report shows that men comprise 85% of the workforce in sectors such as infrastructure, transport, construction, and manufacturing.
- A study in 2023 by the Skill Council for Green Jobs indicated that 85% of the training for green skills was imparted to men
- over 90% of women believed that social norms limited their participation in training for green jobs.
- Restrictive social norms include factors such as the belief that women are unsuitable for certain technical roles, safety concerns, lower representation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects, and familial constraints.
How to address the gaps in data?
● Mapping emerging areas for green growth and collecting sex-disaggregated data on green jobs could be the starting point to improve women’s participation.
● Build evidence on the present and future impact of low-carbon transitions on women workers and entrepreneurs while considering the hidden and invisible roles played by women across different sectors and geographies.
○ Conducting gender analysis,
○ Collecting gender statistics on green jobs through periodic labor force surveys
○ Mobilizing additional resources to emphasize
○ Encourage women’s role in the green transition.
● In a critical stride towards justice and inclusivity in transition planning: COP 28’s high-level dialogue launched ‘Gender-Responsive Just Transitions and Climate Action Partnership’ with a focus on improved data, targeted finance, and skill development.
- There is need to ensure that women can access emerging opportunities from low-carbon transitions.
- There is a strong need to review the status quo, map the current roles of women
- address structural barriers that hinder women’s employment choices
- create a conducive ecosystem to foster their participation in green jobs.
- In India: despite 7% of the total number of STEM graduates being women
- They represent only 30.8% in engineering, manufacturing and construction programmes which are the key sectors for green transition.
- Early hands-on learning, mentorship, scholarships, financial assistance, and awareness generation are crucial to empower women in green jobs-related fields.
- Supporting women entrepreneurs: Gender-focused financial policies and products catering to the requirements of women entrepreneurs can spur their ability to enter the green transition market.
- Collateral-free lending, financial literacy training and building supportive networks are crucial steps to unlock their potential.
- Suitable tools must be developed to assess creditworthiness, disburse loans, and reduce operational costs for women-owned businesses.
Way Forward
- As India embraces a green transition, empowering women and advancing gender equity in climate actions will be one of the keys to unlock the co-benefits of a low-carbon and environmentally sustainable economy.
- Bringing in more women into leadership positions to incorporate gender-specific needs in low-carbon development strategies can promote women’s integration in green jobs.
- A gender-just transition demands a multi-pronged strategy that focuses on employment, social protection, reduces the burden of care work, and enables skill development.
- Partnerships across government, private sector and other stakeholders are necessary to leverage the benefits of innovation, technology and finance for women entrepreneurs and workers.
- Businesses must recognise the centrality of gender justice and ensure equity throughout the process of green transition
- By mitigating barriers that exist due to stereotyping or gender bias and fostering equitable job opportunities for a just transition that benefits everyone.
- Build the capacity and support women in meeting the demands of the new world of work and co-design a future pathway that is socially equitable and inclusive for all
QUESTION FOR PRACTICE
What are the continued challenges for women in India against time and space?(UPSC 2019) (200 WORDS, 10 MARKS)
