Women's work and associated risk

Work can be categorized into formal and informal/ paid and unpaid. Participation or non-participation in particular type of occupation perpetuates the one’s position in the society. This plays an important part in determining relative wealth, power and prestige of women and men. This also generates gender inequalities in the distribution of resources, benefits and responsibilities.

Traditionally, a woman is considered a homemaker and man, a breadwinner. Men were engaged in formal and paid work that made them always independent, leader, powerful and respectful relative to the women. However, with world wars and industrial revolution, women also started to engage in formal sector of employment. Education opportunities to women, mechanization, wide horizon of job perspectives, decreasing fertility have led to increased participation of women in the formal work in this century even in developing countries like Nepal.

Why women were left behind?

• Gender stereotypes: Women are believed to be physically, mentally weak, sensitive, caretaker and good homemaker whereas men are believed to be bold physically, mentally and were prepared to deal with affairs outside the house.
• Stage of Society (Agrarian Vs. Industrial): Society developed from agrarian stage; agriculture was principle source of subsistence and Men were considered major labour force then.
• Scientific Development: Innovations and technological advancement have changed the world around. The world is a global village now. The work that required much force, nowadays need just some skills due to the inventions of the machines, robots. But beforehand, women weren’t considered capable of doing hard work.
• Male dominance: Since the beginning of the society, male dominated the society, politics and other affairs. They made the law and guided the rules and regulations, norms in the society. They synthesized the societal rules preferring themselves.

Nevertheless, the workplace can be a setting where gender inequalities are both demonstrated and

sustained, with consequent impacts on health. Women make up about 42% of the estimated global working population.  According to World Bank estimates, from 1960 to 1997, women have increased their numbers in the global labour force by 126% (World Bank, 2001) and has been estimated that more and more women will be involved in both formal and informal works.

Where are they mainly employed?

·      Domestic help

·      Sexual trade

·      Massage parlor

·      Dance bar and restaurants

·      Agriculture

·      Shift works

·      Remaining at Mainstream employment

Their employment in such places put them at more hazards and insecurities even though they can earn hard cash to sustain their family and themselves.

What can happen in the work place due to gender based disparity?

Harassment especially sexual harassment

Disparity in payment and other facilities

Factors Influencing Health

There are five major determinants of health, i.e., factors, which promote or impair individual and community health. Genetic or biologic factors, such as age, sex, race, and genetic susceptibility to disease are innate and, at present, unchangeable. Environmental exposures, such as physical (sunlight), chemical (pollutants) and biologic (exposure to viruses/bacteria) also influence health. Behavior patterns, such as diet, physical activity, and sexual behavior, play a major role in the development of both infectious and chronic diseases. Access to medical care influences both development and outcome of disease, and individuals or communities with limited or difficult access to healthcare fare worse than those with easy access to healthcare. Last but not the least social circumstances are another challenging determinants of health. Socioeconomic status and class have  profound impact on health, as people living in poverty do not have the resources necessary to maintain their health.

Social circumstances maintain women’s low status in the society. Women become poor as they don’t earn or earn much less than men so they might not have access to health care and other utilities that boost one’s health.

Why does their involvement in work need attention?

They assume multiple role and carry out responsibilities but are always considered petty.
Though Women work as much as men, their work is not considered economically productive.
In most cases women work in the houses and they look after the household chores and effect of their work on their health has been understudied. 
The hazards and risk factors associated with work are understudied.
The workplace don’t implement gender based policies/ gender friendly provisions.
Women are less prioritized for the job with assumption that they will be overwhelmed with child bearing and rearing.
More likely to participate in part time job: that lack insurance coverage, other security, and allowances.

Impact of women's work on Health status

Stress

Strain in the Family

Probability of Sexual, physical, mental harassment

Time Constraint for self care and child care

Increased exposure to risk: physical, chemical, psychological, biological agents

Double burden of work

Conflict between partners, with other family members

Further Action and Recommendations

• Investment and Focus on education of girls so that they would get opportunities in formal sectors.
• Employment opportunities with prioritization and quota reservation
• Gender friendly policy at work place
• Gender based ergonomics: Equipment, tools and spaces used for paid labor have tended to be designed for men only.
• Gender based analysis in occupational health research
• Research should be gender sensitive and Interdisciplinary research with strong epidemiological, biological and social science components should be done since this is essential for the understanding of gender issues in occupational health