© 2019 IJRAR June 2019, Volume 6, Issue 2 www.ijrar.

org (E-ISSN 2348-1269, P- ISSN 2349-5138)

Women Education and Their Work Participation in

West Bengal
Dr. Ratula Mukherjee
Asst. Professor
AC Training College, Jalpaiguri, West Bengal-735101, India
Abstract:
Education is the prime factor for the development of mankind. It is the way which leads a person, a community
and a nation to the peak of optimum development and progress. History reveals that the women have been deprived
from education in India for a long tenure. The right to education of women has now been constitutionally assured.
The present study is specific and focuses on the educational status of women in West Bengal and its impact on their
work participation. The education helps them to develop their self reliance, consciousness and make them free from
socio- economic confinement. Education plays a significant role to make them free from different socio-economic
barriers which they faced earlier. Right now, Educated and even the least-educated women are engaging themselves
in different types of work. The study shows that the level of education has significantly got its pace in West Bengal
over the last decade (2001 & 2011). And, the rate of work participation by educated women is increasing like a way
especially in the main work sectors. But, there is a constraint of level of education among the women engaged in
marginal and non-organized work sectors. Even, there is significant contrast between the educational level of rural
women and their urban part. But, the poorly educated women in the rural sector are found engaged in the different
works (like agriculture and allied activities) in a large scale. They earn but their mental horizon is not widened due
to the lack of education which ultimately brings forth a constraint for their overall social development. The study
suggests that education is a significant determinant factor of increasing work participation of women and their
overall development. The study was based on secondary data collected from various sources and based on the data
of the year 2001 and 2011 census.
[Key words: Women literacy, work participation, main work, marginal work, non-organised work, socio-
economic development.]

Introduction

Education brings about the change in attitude and helps in achieving the psycho-somatic development in the
human being. It helps to widen the mental horizon and helps one to overcome the different social-economical
barriers. The condition of women in a society is an index of the nation’s place in terms of development and growth.
Overall growth of women instead of gender inequalities in every realm of life is inseparable part of the nation’s
social, cultural and economical development. Education helps the women to break the year old barriers they had
faced. They enter into the different job sectors not only for their economic establishment, but to prove their own
ability and self-expression. Women education is taken as an important and mandatory subject for maintaining the
social & economical balance & equality in India especially after post independence era. West Bengal has made
remarkable achievements in the sphere of literacy & education – especially in women education as evidenced by
the data based on census. West Bengal, according to previous census data (1991, 2001), show remarkable growth.
The state’s rural women literacy rate was 38% in 1991 and 54% in 2001. In urban sector, West Bengal average is
always high than the national average [68% in 1991 and 76% in 2001]. Education and employment has brought
about a self-reliance, confidence and a sense of identity in the women. This change on women's part, that is education
and employment has got significant implications not only for the women concerned but for the society as a whole.
The present study focused on the women education and women participation in work in West Bengal.

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A. Find out status of women education in West Bengal
Data received and utilized to find out the status of women literacy in West Bengal

Table 1: Comparative Profile of Women Literacy in West Bengal- 2001-2011

LITERACY RATE(%)excluding LITERACY RATE(%)excluding

LITERATES LITERATES
STATE 0-6 age group 0-6 age group
2001 2011
2001 2011

WEST BENGAL 47196401 68.64 62614556 77.08

[Computed by the researcher from Provisional Population Total: Census 2011]

The data exclusively showed the present status of women literacy in West Bengal has achieved the pace
within the decade.

Table 2: Comparative Profile of Women Literacy in Rural and Urban Sector in West Bengal- 2001-2011
State Women Literacy Rate %

West Bengal Total Rural Urban

2001 59.60 53.20 75.70

2011 71.16 66.08 81.70

Difference (%) 11.56 12.88 6.00

[Computed by the researcher from the Census data, 2011, 2011]

The Table 2 clearly showed that the level of women literacy has achieved a significant growth within this
decade. More interesting fact was that though the women literacy rate was found lag behind than that of its urban
counterpart, yet the growth showed higher in the rural sector (12.08% and 6.0%). This was possible by introducing
literacy programmes monitored by Sarbo Shikha Mission (SSM) and different policies and schemes taken for the
girl child.

B. Find out status of women work participation in West Bengal

Data received and utilized to find out The Status of Working Women in West Bengal
Table 3: Status of Main Women Workers
TOTAL
WEST BENGAL WOMEN % OF WOMEN
PERSONS
2001 23023583 3528612 15.33
2011 25426689 3932308 15.46

[Source: From Census: 2001, 2011)

From Table 3, it was revealed that women participation was increased in 2011in comparison to that of 2001
though it was a very marginal increase.

The researcher had taken the various data from different sources and computed them to find out the relation
between the educational level and status of work participation.

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Table 4: Status Of Women Work Participation As Per Educational Level –West Bengal –2001

West Bengal
Sl.
Educational Level No. Of Women Engaged In Work %
No.
1 Illiterate 2056338 28.47
2 Literate 1472274 9.32
3 Literate but below Matric/Secondary 967804 9.04
4 Matric/Secondary but below Graduate 212381 7.48
5 Technical Diploma or Certificate not equal to Degree 3759 5.78
6 Graduate and above other than Technical Degree 193901 11.95
Technical Degree Or Diploma equal to Degree or Post-
7 29811 18.03
Graduate Degree
[Computed by researcher from Census data 2001]

The data revealed that illiterate women’s work participation was significant (28.47%) in comparison to the
literate percentage (9.32%). That might be influenced or determined by different socio-economic and cultural
determinants and might not be fully influenced or determined by only educational level.
Percentage of main working women participation was found higher in case of technical education whereas
general higher education showed lower participation. The inference made by the researcher from analyzing the table
4 that the education influenced the work participation of women in specific sector such as
technical/professional/academic sector.
The researcher has found from the above table that women participation in different works involving in
different non-organized sectors, their involvement in main stream was found lower. That difference may be the
result of recruitment policy of state govt., job creation or scarcity of job of such category to be created by the public
/ private enterprises.

That trend showed that

1. work participation of women in West Bengal was related with their educational status in specific
jobs (like technical or high profile job). But,
2. a large portion of women were attached to work who were illiterate or with least education or without
any higher educational level.
3. Work participation of women with lower /medium educational level are significantly less.

It was interpreted from the data that overall work participation of women in West Bengal, does not depend
upon the educational level. The participation in qualitative job depends on the specific education, but the overall
work participation especially marginal work, or non-organized work or agricultural or labour work does not depend
upon the educational level.
On the contrary, it was found that general education was not related to the work participation. More over, the
illiterate or least educated women were found engaged in several non-organized sectors.
In other sectors especially which need higher education (e.g. technological or financial job), women are found
comparatively much lower (8.11%).

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Table 5: Industrial Categories of Workers in West Bengal-2001

Sl.No. Work Categories Persons Male Women % of Women

1 Agricultural & allied activities 1229620 606400 623220 50.68
2 Mining and quarrying 145180 133330 11850 8.16
3 Manufacturing Household industries 2182080 915670 1266410 58.04
4 Manufacturing Non household industries 3461030 2792270 668760 19.32
5 Electricity, Gas and Water Supply 92160 88410 3750 4.07
6 Construction 864180 827910 36270 4.20
7 Wholesale and Retail Trade 3274600 3060200 214400 6.55
8 Hotels and Restaurants 204940 185710 19230 9.38
9 Transport, Storage and Communications 1382420 1351000 31420 2.27
Financial Intermediation and Real Estate,
10 682590 627230 55360 8.11
Renting and Business Activities
11 Other services 3103700 2184500 919200 29.62
[Computed by the researcher from Census data 2001]

In West Bengal, women participation in work, especially in case of industrial category, is found appreciating
only in two sectors- agricultural & allied activities (50.68%) and manufacturing of house-hold industries (58.04%).
It is a fact that these two sectors do not need least education; on the contrary theses two sectors are operated through
traditional knowledge.

The researcher had studied the women status of seeking /available work of West Bengal. The data received
were then analyzed.
Table 6: Seeking /Available For Work: Statement of West Bengal

West Bengal
Persons Women % of Women
Total seeking/available for work 11,086,554 6,159,609 55.56
Seeking /Available For Marginal Works 2,793,901 1,018,474 36.45
Seeking /Available For Non-Marginal Works 8,292,653 5,141,135 62.00
[Computed by the researcher from the Census data 2001]
From the Table 6 more interesting fact was revealed that the percentage of available women workforce in case
of marginal work in West Bengal to that of non-marginal women seeking work was quite low. Non-marginal women
seeking work was comparatively high. That means human resource i.e. women resource is available but its utilization
is not getting emphasized. The educational level or higher literacy rate did not correspond to the work participation.
The women work participation in the state needs more emphasis to sustain the socio-economic development.
The researcher made the inference after analyzing the data computed from the raw ones that literacy and level of
education is a determinant factor of the work participation of women in some specific job but not the overall work
participation. Women attached with non-organized/agriculture/household/household manufacturing goods were
economically dependent but they were found illiterate or little literate which did not constraint of their work
participation. The educational level has impact only when the type of work / job being participated by women were
concerned.

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© 2019 IJRAR June 2019, Volume 6, Issue 2 www.ijrar.org (E-ISSN 2348-1269, P- ISSN 2349-5138)
Conclusion:
The researcher had worked out on the status of women education in the state of West Bengal and tried to find
out its impact on the work participation of women. It was concluded that women literacy was getting progressed
over the time. The educated women were engaged in some high order/ technical job that invariably needed specific
education. A large number of women were found engaged in marginal/non-organized sectors. The increased level
of women participation in work developed their socio-economic status. They attained their importance and
estimation in the society. But, a major group of women having least education were engaged in such works (like
agriculture, house-hold goods manufacture etc.) which were run by traditional approach and knowledge and skills
instead of education. It was concluded from the data analysis that overall work participation of women did not relate
to the educational level fully, rather different socio-economic factors determined the women participation in work.
The least educated women were the earning members of the families but their social, economical and cultural status
are still under pressure as their unconsciousness made them unaware of their rights. The women with lower/middle
education as their work participation was quite less were not economically strong enough in comparison to the higher
educated women. They were not even in the position of comparison in terms of earnings to the least educated women
group engaged in marginal, non-marginal and non-organized sectors. And, that situation raised invariably the
question of social and economical injustice. The women had the right to have proper education which could
emphasize their work participation as main work force. That increased level of socio-economic growth would render
their strength from within which ultimately helped the overall growth and development of the family, state and
nation.

Reference:
1. Ahmed.A and Nayak.D.K(1984), :“Female Participation in Economic Activity: A Geographical Perspective
with Special Reference to Rural Areas in India”, The Indian Geographical Journal, Vol 59,No.2, pp 63
2. COI 2001, “Vital Rates” Ministry of Human Affairs, GOI. [through website]
3. COI 2011: Provisional Report
4. Data Dissemination Wing, Office of the Registrar General, India
5. Department of Women & Child Welfare, West Bengal- Annual Report 2011
6. Dube,R.S. and Mishra,R.P.(1981): “ Level of education-A Versatile Indicator of Regional
Development”, Geographical Review of India, Vol.43, pp.278-28
7. Mehta, Aasha Kapur. “Recasting Indices for Developing Countries: A Gender Empowerment
Measure” 1996,: Economic and Political Weekly (EPW), 26 October 1996; p. WS-84. (2)]
8. Ministry of Labour and Employment, Govt. Of India- Annual Report -2010-11: from Website :
http://www.labour.nic.in
9. West Bengal Human Development Report, 2004, Table 7.2, p.154. Department of Development and
Planning, Govt. of West Bengal

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