Women and work: A review of the national skill development corporation in the wake of globalization

Globalization is claimed to improve the condition of women by creating employment for them in industries as also eliminating gender discrimination in labour markets. This assumption shapes the policies regarding livelihoods in many countries including India. Policy prescriptions are informed by the major assumption that if women are engaged in income earning linked to the market, there will be an improvement in their status. Despite claims of radical transformations in earnings and subsequent social positions, studies have shown that not only does the “social” division of labour according to sex remain intact but in combination with the “sectoral” division it actually overburdens women – leading to continued subordinate position of women in Indian society. With the private sector showing a very poor record in effectively and fruitfully employing women and the public sector employing them in mainly “women oriented” jobs, there needs to be a thorough re-look at the employment related schemes devised by the government. In the face of these critical observations, this paper would try to analyse the impact of globalization on women's work with a special focus on the Indian context. Thereafter an attempt would be made to analyse the National Skill Development Corporation created under the National Skill Development Policy – to understand if it is – in its present form - sensitive to and inclusive of the gender aspect, which is absolutely crucial to build a sustainable growth in the employment scenario.