Background
Women’s labour market choices are often significantly influenced by perceptions of public safety. Despite this, there is limited research on how women’s perceived safety of working outside the home is shaped by household and community dynamics and how this affects their employment decisions. Existing studies predominantly focus on objective measures such as infrastructure and crime reports, neglecting the impact of intra-household power dynamics on women’s public safety perceptions.
Objectives
The primary objectives of this study are to:
- Examine women’s public safety perceptions in Chennai and its suburbs and their impact on labour market choices.
- Disentangle perceptions from actual threats (like crime reports) to better understand the role of public safety in women’s employment decisions in India.
Methodology
The study utilized a structured interview technique and a mixed-methods approach to assess various aspects of women’s work experiences in Sri City. The quantitative survey focused on the nature of work, workplace conditions, and practices of respectful workplaces, involving data collection from 434 women aged 18-49. Of these, 76% were from Andhra Pradesh and 24% from Tamil Nadu, all working in companies or social institutions based in Sri City. Andhra Pradesh respondents resided within Sri City, while Tamil Nadu respondents commuted from farther away. The qualitative component comprised semi-structured interviews with 40 individuals (20 men and 20 women), requiring both spouses in each household to work in Sri City. These interviews aimed to provide deeper insights into the impact of SEZ employment on personal and social dynamics, including aspects of negotiation, relationships, aspirations, and leisure. Men were also interviewed to compare gender perspectives on fixed-income jobs and their broader societal implications.
Key Findings
Results forthcoming.