DAW 7th March 2026, Mains Answer Writting 2027
Question
Discuss the positive and negative effects of globalization on women in India. 150 Words (10 marks).
Model Answer
Approach:
Introduction (2–3 lines)
Briefly define globalization and its growing influence on Indian society. Link globalization with women’s changing roles and mention that its impact on women in India has been both positive and negative.
Body
Discuss the positive impacts such as increased employment, education, economic empowerment, and social participation of women.
Then examine the negative effects including labour exploitation, wage inequality, cultural commodification, and safety concerns, supported with examples and data.
Conclusion
Conclude by emphasizing that globalization has created opportunities for women’s empowerment but also poses challenges.
Highlight the need for gender-sensitive policies and inclusive development to ensure women benefit equally from globalization.
Introduction Globalization refers to the growing integration of economies, societies, and cultures through trade, technology, and communication. In India, the process accelerated after the 1991 economic liberalisation reforms, leading to rapid changes in labour markets, media, education, and social structures. For women, globalization has produced both empowering opportunities and new vulnerabilities. While it has expanded employment, education, and public participation, structural inequalities and labour exploitation continue to limit its benefits. Body Positive Effects of Globalization on Women in India
Cultural Transformation and Changing Gender Roles
Exposure to global media and ideas has challenged traditional patriarchal norms.
Women increasingly pursue professional careers, delayed marriage, and independent lifestyles, especially in urban areas.
Globalization has contributed to the growing acceptance of women in non-traditional professions such as aviation, armed forces, entrepreneurship, technology, and sports.
Traditional gender roles within households are gradually changing, with greater sharing of domestic responsibilities between men and women, especially in urban middle-class families.
Women are increasingly participating in public life, leadership roles, and political activism, reflecting a shift in gender expectations.
Digital platforms and social media have created spaces for women to express their views, challenge discrimination, and mobilize collective action on issues such as gender violence and workplace equality.
Expansion of Employment Opportunities
Globalization has increased women’s participation in services, IT, retail, garment manufacturing, and export-oriented industries.
The growth of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Information Technology sectors has created employment opportunities for educated women.
Cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Gurugram employ large numbers of women in multinational corporations and IT companies.
According to the NASSCOM Strategic Review (2023), women constitute about 36% of the workforce in the Indian IT-BPM sector.
Digital globalization has enabled women to participate in online businesses, freelancing, and digital marketing.
Economic Empowerment and Financial Independence
Employment opportunities have increased women’s economic autonomy and bargaining power within households.
As of 2025, 10.05 crore rural women household have been mobilized into more than 90.90 lakh Self-Help Groups in the country.
Economic independence has improved women’s social status and participation in household decision-making.
Women are increasingly part of the global labour market, working across national boundaries and in international companies.
Global production networks have increased demand for female labour in industries such as textiles, electronics and services.
Increased Access to Education and Rights Awareness
Globalization has expanded access to higher education, international collaborations, and digital learning platforms.
Female literacy in India increased from 39.3% in 1991 to 70.3% in 2019-21 as per NFHS-5.
Increasing enrolment of women in engineering, medicine, and management institutions reflects changing social attitudes.
Exposure to global knowledge systems has enhanced women’s awareness of legal rights, professional opportunities, and gender equality such as laws related to domestic violence, workplace harassment.
Greater Social and Political Participation
Globalization has strengthened civil society movements, feminist discourse, and human rights advocacy.
Campaigns such as #MeToo reflect the influence of global movements on Indian society.
International norms and institutions have encouraged gender-sensitive policies and representation of women in governance.
The total number of elected women members, which was 22 in the First Lok Sabha and 27 in the Second Lok Sabha has increased to 78 in the 17th Lok Sabha and to 75 in the 18th Lok Sabha (which is approximately 14% of the total members).
As of 2023, more than 14.5 lakh women representatives serve in Panchayati Raj Institutions, accounting for nearly 46% of elected representatives.
Negative Impact of Globalisation on Women
Informalisation and Economic Exploitation
Globalisation has generated employment for women in export-oriented sectors such as garments, electronics assembly, and food processing.
However, much of this employment is informal, characterised by low wages, job insecurity, and absence of social protection.
Women often face a double burden of paid work and unpaid domestic responsibilities.
Globalization has increased women’s participation in the labour force without significantly altering traditional household roles.
Persistent Gender Wage Gap
Despite increasing workforce participation, women continue to earn significantly less than men.
According to the Global Gender Gap Report 2024 by the World Economic Forum, India ranks 129 out of 146 countries in economic participation and opportunity for women.
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), the gender wage gap in India is estimated to be around 34%, which means that women earn approximately 66% of what men earn (ILO, 2020).
Occupational segregation and limited access to higher-paying managerial roles contribute to this disparity.
Safety and Workplace Challenges
Globalisation has expanded employment opportunities in sectors such as IT services, BPOs, retail, and hospitality, many of which require late-night or shift-based work. While these sectors provide financial independence, they also raise safety concerns.
Despite legal protections under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, implementation remains uneven across organisations. Moreover, the act is not enforced in smaller, unorganized, or informal workplaces.
Many organizations fail to set up mandatory Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs), and where they exist, they may lack required members, such as an independent NGO representative.
Commodification and Objectification of Women
Globalisation and consumer culture have increased the portrayal of women as marketing tools in advertising and entertainment industries.
Women are frequently portrayed in stereotypical or objectified roles in advertisements and entertainment media.
For example, item songs and advertising campaigns often use women’s bodies to promote products ranging from automobiles to cosmetics, reinforcing gender stereotypes.
Uneven Impact Across Regions and Social Groups
The benefits of globalisation are unevenly distributed across socio-economic groups.
Urban and educated women have gained more opportunities in professional sectors such as IT, finance, and corporate management.
In contrast, rural and marginalized women remain concentrated in agriculture and informal labour.
According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019–21), women in rural areas often experience lower levels of education, financial independence, and access to healthcare compared to urban women.
Challenges that Continue to Affect Women
Patriarchal Social Structures and Gender Norms
Women are often expected to prioritize domestic responsibilities over education and career advancement.
Social norms related to early marriage, restrictions on mobility, and preference for male children further constrain women’s autonomy and opportunities.
Limited Access to Productive Assets such as Land and Credit
Ownership of assets like land, property, and financial resources remains heavily skewed in favor of men.
Limited property ownership restricts women’s access to institutional credit, entrepreneurship opportunities, and economic independence.
Low Representation in Leadership and Decision-Making Roles
Although women have entered the workforce in increasing numbers, they remain underrepresented in senior management and leadership positions in both the public and private sectors.
The “glass ceiling” phenomenon, gender biases, and work–family balance challenges often limit women’s career progression.
This underrepresentation also reduces the influence of women in shaping policies and organizational decisions.
Digital Gender Divide
Access to digital technology and the internet remains uneven, particularly in rural and marginalized communities.
Women are less likely than men to own mobile phones, access the internet, or possess digital skills.
This digital gap limits women’s ability to access online education, government services, financial platforms, and emerging economic opportunities in the digital economy.
Informal Employment and Lack of Social Security
A large proportion of women in India work in the informal sector, including agriculture, domestic work, and small-scale manufacturing.
These jobs often lack job security, maternity benefits, healthcare coverage, and legal protection.
Way Forward
Strengthening Gender-Sensitive Policies
Government policies in education, healthcare, and employment must integrate gender perspectives to address systemic inequalities.
Programs such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, gender budgeting, and maternal health initiatives can play a crucial role in improving women’s socio-economic status.
Expanding Social Protection for Women Workers
Greater emphasis should be placed on extending social security benefits, including maternity benefits, health insurance, and pension schemes, to women working in informal sectors.
Strengthening labour protections and ensuring implementation of schemes like the Code on Social Security can improve economic security for women.
Ensuring Workplace Safety and Equal Pay
Strict enforcement of laws such as the Equal Remuneration Act and the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 is essential.
Safe working environments and fair wages are critical for encouraging women’s participation in the workforce.
Promoting Skill Development and Digital Inclusion
Skill development initiatives such as the Skill India Mission and Digital India programs should prioritize training for women, especially in rural areas.
Enhancing digital literacy can help women access online education, e-commerce opportunities, and digital financial services.
Encouraging Women’s Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion
Access to credit and financial services should be expanded through schemes such as Stand-Up India, Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, and self-help group initiatives.
Supporting women entrepreneurs can promote economic independence and job creation.
Transforming Social Attitudes and Cultural Norms
Long-term empowerment requires changes in societal attitudes toward gender roles.
Education, media awareness campaigns, and community engagement can help challenge stereotypes and promote gender equality within families and communities.
Conclusion Globalisation has expanded opportunities for women in India through greater access to education, employment, and global networks. However, persistent challenges such as patriarchy, unequal access to resources, and workplace discrimination continue to limit its benefits. Ensuring inclusive globalization requires gender-sensitive policies, stronger social protections, and transformation of societal attitudes. Only then can globalization truly contribute to women’s empowerment and gender equality.