Gendered Margins: Lived Experiences of Women in Institutional Housekeeping Roles in India

The present study aims to examine the lived experiences, challenges, and mobility of women employed as housekeeping workers in institutional settings. A large number of the women belong to low caste groups, thus indicating how caste reinforces occupational conditioning even in modern and educational institutions in India. It covers the obstacles, suggests adaptive strategies and ambitions that influence their work and personal experience. These women often face unstable working conditions, inadequate compensation, limited job security, and restricted opportunities for advancement. Societal expectations and gendered roles add to their misfortune. Qualitative methods of data collection and participatory methods are employed to record the narratives of structural inequalities experienced by the targeted respondents. The data reveals the presence of discrimination in the workplace, health risks, inadequate social protection, low wages, and the marginalisation of their labour within institutional hierarchies. The study highlights the need for policy reforms to incorporate inclusive frameworks that acknowledge the contributions of women in housekeeping roles. There is a need to contextualise their experiences within the larger discourse of labour rights and gender equity. The study aims to understand the gendered labour dynamics and inform practical initiatives for achieving equitable work conditions and dignified working environments. It also examines how institutions can bring inclusion as a mechanism by countering exclusionary processes within the institutional setup.