The Hidden Economy: How Marginalized Women Create Value in Invisible Ways

Even in a world free from all other forms of bias, we would still see men and women occupying different spaces in society, perhaps due to inherent biological or societal expectations based on gender. Intersectionality—the understanding that different forms of discrimination intersect and compound—makes this even worse, and the marginalized communities navigate a more complex web of barriers that hinder their access to opportunities, resources, and equal recognition.

Traditionally, the role of women was restricted to raising children, caring for the elderly, and maintaining family well-being. These tasks were kept outside the realm of economic activities. While they did not directly generate revenue, they were essential enabling functions that allowed men—who participated in tasks contributing to the formal economy—to function effectively. Even in the modern world, despite a significant increase in the number of women in the workforce, particularly in the service sector, contributing actively to both their personal growth and the nation’s development, there remains a large group of women whose contributions to nation-building go unnoticed. These women act as enablers for those whose efforts are recognized. For example, women working as house help or maids, handicraft makers, Agricultural Laborers, beedi (tobacco) rollers, etc. are integral to the functioning of many households and industries. Yet, their labor is often invisible. Moreover, Land Ownership Right is still a privilege for agricultural women in most of the states in India.

These women, many of whom are part of the gig economy, perform critical work that sustains families and contributes to the broader economy, but they do so without the benefits of social security, health insurance, or labor protections. Their efforts, while essential, do not show up in official economic statistics, and their roles often go unrecognized in the broader narrative of economic progress. As a result, their significant contributions remain hidden, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and neglect.

Corrective measures:

Govt intervention:

The economic upliftment and betterment of women is an issue that is very close to all the governments, thanks to the vote bank share that the women voters form. Here are some of the successful schemes that have managed to bring a lot of improvement in the status quo, like Financial Inclusion, social empowerment, skill development & Health and Safety.

• Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) (2015): As of 2024, over 27.5 million loans have been sanctioned to women. 

• Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) (2016): As of 2023, over 9 crore LPG connections have been distributed to women. 

• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Yojana (2015): The child sex ratio has improved from 919 girls per 1,000 boys (in 2011) to 929 girls per 1,000 boys in 2021. 

• Self-Help Group (SHG) Bank Linkage Program: As of 2023, over 8 crore women are part of more than 80 lakh SHGs across India. 

• National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) – Aajeevika : Over 9.5 million women have been organized into SHGs under NRLM across 24 states. 

While these initiatives have made significant strides in improving the situation, much more remains to be achieved. As the basic challenges are addressed, new ones will inevitably emerge. To stay ahead, the government must adopt a visionary approach, crafting policies that are not only responsive to current needs but also anticipate future challenges to ensure sustainable progress.

NGOs intervention:

A lot of NGOs, independently or by collaborating with the CSR programs of the companies, are working on the ground and have been playing a significant role in the cause, even in those areas where the government can’t reach. Some of the prominent causes supported by them include 

• Digital & Financial Literacy to Women 

• Entrepreneurial Opportunities to Women 

• Livelihood & Agricultural support 

• Legal Awareness & Empowerment 

Suggestions & Way Forward:

The phrase 'Record is the reality' holds true for these marginalized and underprivileged women. Since their labor is not documented or acknowledged in any meaningful way, they remain invisible in official records. These women form a large part of the unorganized sector, whose contributions are overlooked, despite their central role in supporting both families and national development. The efforts by the Govt and other social bodies have improved the picture but there is a lot that still must be achieved to ensure that the women workforce finds a better representation at the economy of the nation. Below are a few inputs:

• Care Knows No Gender 

Care responsibilities should be shared equally between men and women, which would allow women to participate more actively in the workforce and contribute to the economy.

• Skilling Should Focus on Employment, Not Just Imparting a Skill 

It’s crucial that skills training goes beyond theory and aligns with market demands, ensuring that women can transition into sustainable jobs.

• Methods to Record the Contribution of Female Workforce in Unorganized Sectors 

This includes establishing formal records for their work, providing recognition for informal labor, and ensuring they are counted in national economic statistics.

• Access to Financial Support and Resources 

Ensuring that women in the unorganized sector have access to microfinance, credit, and other financial resources will empower them to expand their businesses or improve their working conditions, thus contributing to economic growth.

• Creating Safe and Inclusive Work Environments 

This includes enforcing labor rights and promoting equal pay for equal work, particularly in sectors where women are concentrated.

• Policy Reforms to Support Women’s Labor Participation 

Governments should focus on enacting and implementing policies that support women's participation in the labor force, including affordable childcare, flexible work hours, and maternity benefits that accommodate the unique challenges women face.

• Public Awareness and Advocacy 

Raising awareness about the essential role of women in the economy, especially in the unorganized sector, is important to shift societal attitudes and promote greater gender equality in the workplace. 

To address this pressing issue, Posterity has provided quality skill development training aligned with industry needs that have ultimately resulted in placement, categorically creating an enduring impact for unskilled/semi-skilled women.