Gender Inequality and Occupational Segregation: A Study of Women Labourers in Areca Nut Processing Units in Karnataka, India

Despite remarkable progresses in many spheres, the Gender inequality still persists in India. Waged work is Segregated and Marginalized on the basis of Gender.  Employed women in work place are horizontally and vertically segregated and there is a clear distinction between men’s work and women’s work. Women’s work is characterized by lower wages, low status and lower rung on the skill ladder, involved in less interest, more repetitive, monotonous and low status activities.  Such pattern of Gender Segregation is exhibited in Areca nut processing units.

Areca nut is a cash crop which has contributed more than Rs.250 corers towards the National income in India. It is largely cultivated in Malenadu region of Karnataka State. The process of, cutting, de-husking and drying of nuts is entirely depending on hand labour. Women are employed in this process. The present paper discusses the Gender Inequality, Segregation and marginalization of women labourers working in an unorganized sector. The main objectives of the paper are (1) to examine the vertical Occupational Segregation of Women laborers in Areca nut processing units. (2) To study the factors influencing Gender inequality, and (3) to overview the implications of Inequality and Marginalization of women in areca nut processing units. The study is based on the primary data collected through interview technique. The study highlights that, there is Gender inequality and Marginalization in functioning and the payment of wages. There is job insecurity and violation of labour legislations. The study helps to identify the nature and structure of Gender inequalities, Segregation and Marginalization. Further, the paper tries to justify the need for empowering women to bring Gender equality and enhancing their status