Participation of Women in the Workforce in Solid Waste Management

Abstract:

Solid Waste Management (SWM) has emerged as a major challenge to environmental and urban governance in India, largely because of rapid urbanization, population growth rates, and changing consumption patterns. One of the interesting but neglected dimensions of the SWM sector is the participation of women workers, particularly in the informal sector. A considerable percentage of workers involved in waste picking, recycling, and sanitation work are women, and they play a critical role in waste management and recycling processes. While their contribution is critical to environmental sustainability and urban sanitation, female workers are subjected to socio-economic marginalization and a lack of institutional support. This paper attempts to understand the participation of female workers in the SWM sector in India, focusing on their participation, socio-economic characteristics, challenges faced by female workers, and their impact on the recycling economy. The research depends on secondary data sources, which include government reports, academic research, and international reports. The analysis reveals that “Women account for almost 50-70% of the waste pickers in many cities of India, and their contribution to waste recovery for recycling is substantial, which reduces the burden on the waste management system.” The research stresses the importance of including women waste workers into the formal system of waste management, which can be achieved by adopting inclusive policies for their benefit.