Gendered Margins: Lived Experiences of Women in Institutional Housekeeping Roles in India
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
The present study aims to examine the lived experiences, challenges, and mobility of women employed as housekeeping workers in institutional settings. A large number of the women belong to low caste groups, thus indicating how caste reinforces occupational conditioning even in modern and educational institutions in India. It covers the obstacles, suggests adaptive strategies and ambitions that influence their work and personal experience. These women often face unstable working conditions, inadequate compensation, limited job security, and restricted opportunities for advancement. Societal expectations and gendered roles add to their misfortune. Qualitative methods of data collection and participatory methods are employed to record the narratives of structural inequalities experienced by the targeted respondents. The data reveals the presence of discrimination in the workplace, health risks, inadequate social protection, low wages, and the marginalisation of their labour within institutional hierarchies. The study highlights the need for policy reforms to incorporate inclusive frameworks that acknowledge the contributions of women in housekeeping roles. There is a need to contextualise their experiences within the larger discourse of labour rights and gender equity. The study aims to understand the gendered labour dynamics and inform practical initiatives for achieving equitable work conditions and dignified working environments. It also examines how institutions can bring inclusion as a mechanism by countering exclusionary processes within the institutional setup.
Downloads
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
A. CORRESPONDING AUTHOR’S GRANT OF RIGHTS
The Corresponding Author grants to the Journal, during the full term of copyright and any extensions or renewals of that term, the following:
- An irrevocable non-exclusive right to reproduce, republish, transmit, sell, distribute, and otherwise use the Work in electronic and print editions of the Journal and in derivative works throughout the world, in all languages, and in all media now known or later developed.
- An irrevocable non-exclusive right to create and store electronic archival copies of the Work, including the right to deposit the Work in open access digital repositories.
- An irrevocable non-exclusive right to license others to reproduce, republish, transmit, and distribute the Work under the condition that the Authors are attributed. (Currently this is carried out by publishing the content under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.)
Copyright in the Work remains with the Authors.
B. CORRESPONDING AUTHOR’S DUTIES
- When distributing or re-publishing the Work, the Corresponding Author agrees to credit the Journal as the place of first publication.
- The Corresponding Author agrees to inform the Journal of any changes in contact information.
C. CORRESPONDING AUTHOR’S WARRANTY
The Corresponding Author represents and warrants that the Work is the Authors’ original work and that it does not violate or infringe the law or the rights of any third party and, specifically, that the Work contains no matter that is defamatory or that infringes any literary or proprietary rights, intellectual property rights, or any rights of privacy. The Corresponding Author also warrants that he or she has the full power to make this agreement, and if the Work was prepared jointly, the Corresponding Author agrees to inform the Authors of the terms of this Agreement and to obtain their written permission to sign on their behalf. The Corresponding Author agrees to hold the Journal harmless from any breach of the aforestated representations.
D. JOURNAL’S DUTIES
In consideration of the Author’s grant of rights, the Journal agrees to publish the Work, attributing the Work to the Authors.
E. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This agreement reflects the entire understanding of the parties. This agreement may be amended only in writing by an addendum signed by the parties. Amendments are incorporated by reference to this agreement.