The infrastructure sector is on the path of recovery from the shock caused due to pandemic. This sector provided job opportunities to millions of women as construction workers in the pre-crisis period. However, due to covid, these women lost their jobs and still remain unemployed. Today, the representation of women in the construction works have gone to what it was a 40 years ago. The low positionality of women in the societal hierarchy makes them more prone to the pandemic adversities. Now, they cannot negotiate for fair prices in the construction market due to the long term wage gap.
Additionally, they would be asked questions about the number of children they have and how they would be able to manage their work and family properly. On the other hand, it is fairly easy for a male to return to work and not be questioned about his family. The society has never in the history seen working women and men with equal eyes. While the women in top notch firms and organization might be treated and paid equal to men, this situation doesn’t exist in the construction sector. Women are not only questioned upon their capabilities but are also looked down upon, once hired.
Despite scientific studies that say women do not become weak during pregnancy, many employers around the world continue to decline employment to women because they are pregnant. This itself indicates how male-centred the construction sector is. Motherhood must be cherished not only in ones personal life but also in their professional life. Giving birth is a gift and should not become a reason for women’s suppression. The second issue is about nurturing and taking care of the children. Many employers do not give paid leaves to women when they need it due to familial demands or children’s needs. In fact, this is seen as a reason to not employ women because they will prioritize their children. Giving birth and taking care of children are unavoidable processes. Women must be given significant opportunities to do justice at both their work place and at home rather than being required to choose ONE.
The Infrastructure bill in U.S.A. is one of the steps towards making a work place which is thoughtful about every gender. This bill provides for developing an economy that not only possesses mail traits of competitiveness but also promotes care and nurturance which is the very essence of womanhood. These construction jobs attract most issues because they belong to the unorganized sector in many countries and stay away from the application of laws. This causes much of disadvantage to women as they do not get maternity leaves and paid leaves. A bill designed specifically to cater to the infrastructure sector might help to cure these challenges. This bill is only one step towards making the job environment equal for everyone. Other economies must learn from it and employ such measures at a broad scale for uplifting women and womanhood.
Aishwarya Says:
I have always been against Glorifying Over Work and therefore, in the year 2021, I have decided to launch this campaign “Balancing Life”and talk about this wrong practice, that we have been following since last few years. I will be talking to and interviewing around 1 lakh people in the coming 2021 and publish their interview regarding their opinion on glamourising Over Work.
If you are interested in participating in the same, do let me know.
Do follow me on Facebook, Twitter Youtube and Instagram.
The copyright of this Article belongs exclusively to Ms. Aishwarya Sandeep. Reproduction of the same, without permission will amount to Copyright Infringement. Appropriate Legal Action under the Indian Laws will be taken.
If you would also like to contribute to my website, then do share your articles or poems at secondinnings.hr@gmail.com
In the year 2021, we wrote about 1000 Inspirational Women In India, in the year 2022, we would be featuring 5000 Start Up Stories.