Page 222 - economic review

SOCIAL SERVICE194

• About 21 percent females aged 15 and above who were engaged in domestic duties according
to Usual Principal Status, were engaged in domestic duties though they are not required to.
Rather than ‘non availability of work’, ‘preference’ and ‘other reasons’ were the cause for such
females to spend time on domestic duties.

• Around 29 percent of females aged 15 and above who were engaged in domestic duties
according to Usual Principal Status, were willing to accept work ( like dairy, poultry, other
animal husbandry, food processing, spinning and weaving, manufacture of wood and cane
products, tailoring, other activities etc) at the household premises.

• Among those ready to work, 35 percent are ready for full time regular work and around 60
percent are ready for part time regular work.

• Moreover, among those ready to work, around 65 percent had the required skills / experience
to accept works ( like dairy, poultry, other animal husbandry, food processing, spinning and
weaving, manufacture of wood and cane products, tailoring, other activities etc)

• Initial finance on easy terms, training and working finance facilities were the major type of
assistance required for females aged 15 and above usually engaged in domestic duties and
willing to accept work in household.

4.226 These points highlight the fact that we in Kerala, have a chance to improve the condition of
a good portion of female population by providing them opportunities to engage in work on a regular
basis along with their domestic duties. Moreover, it is an advantage that the women have skills /
experience for work and are prepared to undertake them. Finance facilities and training are areas on
which the Governments can focus greater attention.

4.227 It is worth mention that 79 percent of the females aged 15 and above who were engaged in
domestic duties according to Usual Principal Status, are required to spend most of their time on
domestic duties. Around 64 percent of these females spend most of their time on domestic duties
because there is no other member to carry out the domestic duties. It is in this context, that we enter
the debate on the need for sharing of domestic duties between males and females. A cultural and
attitudinal change on this matter can bring about a revolution in women employment in the state
and the country. We can start off by highlighting successful endeavours of women and by providing
support systems for the multiple tasks they take up. Kerala can perhaps gain from the experiences of
the advanced European nations (with whom we often compare ourselves) in this matter too.

Section 7
Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward
Classes and Minorities

4.228 Recognizing that the socially and economically disadvantaged groups of people require
special care, if they have to be brought up on par with the rest of the society, the independent India
had devised a two-pronged strategy in the pursuit of their upliftment. First is the Constitutional and
legal protection to safeguard their interest and guard against exploitation and the other is inclusion of
separate components in Five-Year Plans for supplementing their developmental needs. Scheduled
Caste and Scheduled Tribes have historically suffered social disabilities, educational and economic
deprivation and backwardness. Other disadvantaged groups needing special support are other
backward classes, minorities and vulnerable groups.

4.229 Over the years several steps have been taken to bridge the gap between these groups and
rest of the population. But the gap still persists and further efforts are needed. Most of the Scheduled
Caste and Scheduled Tribe people are still striving to attain basic needs of food, clothing and shelter.
They also require better opportunities to live with dignity and self respect.

Kerala State Planning Board