BELITTLED and MARGINALIZED: WOMEN IN KERALA'S INFORMAL SECTOR-A PRAGMATIC STUDY

This study explores the socio-economic conditions of women employed in Kerala'sinformal sector, a critical component of the state's labor market. Despite Kerala’s remarkableachievements in literacy, especially among women, the state faces a paradoxical rise ineducational unemployment and underemployment. With a growing number of highly educatedwomen entering the workforce, many find themselves relegated to low-wage; insecure jobswithin the informal economy, particularly in sectors such as retail, healthcare, education, andhospitality. This study aims to examine the working conditions, wage disparities, and thechallenges faced by female workers in this sector. Primary data was collected from 250 femaleemployees in Kozhikode district, using a structured questionnaire to assess monthly wages,family income, educational qualifications, and employment conditions. Secondary data wasgathered from published reports and articles to contextualize the findings. The study revealssignificant issues such as low wages, lack of job security, gender discrimination, and limitedaccess to social security benefits. Despite the implementation of various state initiatives likeKudumbashree and MGNREGA, these interventions have not sufficiently addressed thestructural issues plaguing the informal sector. The study highlights the urgent need for policyreforms that align educational outputs with market demands, improve worker protections, andensure better wage standards for women. By addressing these challenges, the study contributes tothe broader discourse on gender, labor, and economic development in Kerala, aiming to promotea more equitable and sustainable labor market for women in the informal sector.