Employment Trend of Scheduled Caste Women in Agricultural and Non-Agricultural Sector of Kolhapur District

Abstract Scheduled Caste women are considered to be the most backward group; they face discrimination at various levels of society. Participation in employment is a very important factor for the social and economic advancement of these women. The present study has analyzed the participation rate of Scheduled Caste women in the agricultural and non-agricultural sectors in Kolhapur district. This shows their perspective and tendency towards employment. This study is based on secondary data and for this, the 2001 and 2011 Kolhapur district census reports have been used. The changes in employment have been reviewed by calculating the Work Participation Rate (WPR) of women. The conclusion shows that there has been an increase in the population of these women between 2001 and 2011, but there has been a decrease in employment. The WPR has declined from 37.21% to 30.08%. The labor participation rate in the agricultural sector has declined from 28.51% in 2001 to 20.69% in 2011, while the employment participation rate in the non-agricultural sector has increased by 0.7%. This shows that the employment trend of women is increasing in the non-agricultural sector. Their employment has declined in this decade. Factors such as social norms and traditions force them to forego employment opportunities. This is why the labor participation of these women in both agricultural and non-agricultural sectors is declining. As a solution to this, measures such as increasing their skills and employment-oriented education are needed.