Under-Employment and Work Among Women in Rural Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

The paper examine the changes in work participation and employment pattern of women in rural Andhra Pradesh during 1993-94 to 1999-2000 based on the unit level data of NSSO 50th and 55th rounds. Participation in economic activities decreases and unemployment increases with levels of education, as opportunities for educated women are low in rural areas. Employment in service sector and regular employment increases with level of education. Gender differences in wages were quite high. Wage differences between males and females ranged from 50% among casual labourers in services to 193% in regular employed in industry. However, there seems to be reduction in wage differences among gender as well as among sectors during 1993-94 to 1999-00.