Women’s labour force participation has increased from 11.9% in 1955 to 18.6% in 2023. The pandemic has further opened a new world of possibilities. With improved digitisation and fewer physical limitations, the new-age work model offers women more flexibility, and has led to lower attrition rates and a more equitable work environment.
Visible challenges
Every new opportunity comes with its own set of challenges. The new flexible work model may have proved a boon for women, but has been accompanied by an increase in household and familial responsibilities. According to a recent Deloitte survey, 65% of women respondents have taken on more household chores since the pandemic, and 25% reported increased workloads. For women with children, the burden has been even greater: 58% reported additional childcare responsibilities and 53% said they had to take on additional educational responsibilities of the child. Despite the initial buzz about changing work patterns, women’s empowerment is still a distant goal.
