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Paper short abstract:

This study examines women's labour force participation in India, focusing on factors like marital status, education, and household dynamics. It explores barriers such as caregiving and societal norms, providing policy recommendations to enhance women's workforce involvement and economic growth.

Paper long abstract:

This study investigates the decline in women’s labour force participation (LFPR) in India following marriage, with a focus on intrahousehold factors such as spousal attitudes, caregiving responsibilities, and family expectations. Despite a global rise in women’s workforce engagement, India continues to experience a notable decline in female participation post-marriage. Utilizing data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey and the National Family Health Survey (2016-2024), the study employs a regression discontinuity design to explore the causal impact of marital status on women’s LFPR. The analysis controls for key variables like educational attainment, spousal attitudes, caregiving responsibilities, and family expectations.

The study aims to demonstrate that marital status significantly impacts women’s labour force participation, with married women in India showing a notable decrease in LFPR. It will explore how intrahousehold dynamics—such as caregiving responsibilities and family norms—contribute to this decline. Additionally, the study will examine the role of educational attainment in sustaining workforce participation post-marriage and assess how the duration of marriage affects continued engagement in the workforce.

The findings will offer valuable insights into the intersection of gender norms, family structures, and women’s economic participation, highlighting the critical role that family dynamics play in shaping women’s workforce decisions. By addressing these factors, the study aims to provide policy recommendations to encourage greater participation of married women in the workforce, contributing to more inclusive economic growth in India. This research fills a gap in existing literature by offering a comprehensive look at the socio-cultural barriers to female employment post-marriage.