Women in Industries: Sexual Division of Labor (1995-97)
This short-term research project, undertaken by P. Madhavi, examined women’s work in industries dealing with electronics, pharmaceuticals, leather, garments, food processing in the organized sector and beedi industry in the informal sector in Hyderabad city. Findings showed that women were almost always relegated to the unskilled category in factories; by placing them in the unskilled category, the work of women was constantly undervalued. In spite of the fact that the end -product of their labour was commercially valued, their input was not regarded as “work”. It was found that sexual division of labour pushed women into certain kinds of jobs where women compete with each other, not with men. It also weakened womens’ position in the industry by affecting their training prospects and growth. A report based on the research conducted in select industries was published in Bhumika in the March-April 1998 issues.
Mary John and K. Lalita prepared this report for Overseas Development Agency, UK. It provides an overview of gender issues in India in sectors such as economy, health, education, water resources, sanitation, housing and caste/community identities. The report is used extensively by NGOs and funding agencies.