On Monday, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud raised concerns about the factors preventing women from entering the workforce, which in turn limits their contribution to the nation’s economy and gross domestic product (GDP). He attributed this issue to women’s inability to fully disengage from domestic responsibilities.
“The labour force participation of women stands at 37%, while their contribution to the GDP is 18%. We have not fulfilled the pre-independence aspirations regarding women’s economic participation. A significant reason for this is the persistent gendered division of domestic labor. Even as women join the workforce, they remain tethered to household duties,” the CJI explained.
He further emphasized that working women often bear a dual burden, facing what is essentially a penalty for crossing traditional domestic boundaries. “Women are expected to juggle domestic and caregiving tasks alongside their careers. Domestic work, though unaccounted for economically, hampers their ability to secure and maintain paid employment or take on greater professional responsibilities,” he added.
Speaking at the SheShakti conference organized by News18, which focused on women breaking societal barriers, the CJI also addressed the pervasive gender bias that limits women’s recognition as individuals. He noted that women in traditionally male-dominated workspaces face the expectation to conform to both masculine and feminine stereotypes, making it difficult for them to navigate these spaces without being unfairly judged.
“Women may find themselves labeled as either too demure or too outspoken, depending on how society stereotypes ‘appropriate’ female behavior,” the CJI said, highlighting how gender-based biases distort perceptions of a woman’s capabilities, regardless of her actual competence.
This bias, according to the CJI, contributes to high attrition rates and career stagnation for women. “As they balance capability against perception, women often face these challenges without institutional support. For much of history, institutions have operated with limited understanding of women’s abilities, and women have not been a priority in institutional design. Even when they break through exclusionary barriers, they are often met with indifference or hostility,” he explained.
In closing, the CJI stressed that the true measure of a just institution is its ability to foster inclusivity and support women who make unconventional choices, even if society does not immediately accept them. “The Constitution guarantees the freedom to choose both conventional and unconventional paths. What may seem unconventional today could shape a new future tomorrow, as we redefine what it means to be a woman,” he concluded.
