Women's Employment in Uttarakhand: Regional Disparities, Inequality and Policy Imperatives

Using NSSO/PLFS and primary survey data, this paper examines deep-rooted gender and regional disparities in the labour market in Uttarakhand, with women-particularly in rural and hill regions-facing limited access to quality employment. Despite a higher participation rate than the national average in recent years, most women in Uttarakhand are engaged in lowpaying agricultural work or informal jobs without social security. Urban women encounter structural barriers, including restricted mobility, limited job options, and prevailing gender norms. Earnings show inequality, with self-employed women in the hills earning far less than their urban or male counterparts. Despite emerging opportunities in non-farm sectors like IT and electronics, access to such employment opportunities remains restricted for women. High youth unemployment and NEET rates among women point to a lack of skills, vocational training, and systemic barriers. Career aspirations among youth lean heavily toward secure government jobs, while growing interest in entrepreneurship reflects declining public-sector opportunities. Although government schemes aim to boost livelihoods, their impact is skewed toward the plains, leaving hill areas underserved. A gender-sensitive, region-specific policy approach-linking skills, finance, market access, and job creation-is essential to reduce distress migration and foster inclusive, sustainable livelihoods for women.