Shreyas Narla and Kadambari Shah on Why Women Economic Policy Makers Matter
Aug 17, 2023
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Shreyas Narla and Kadambari Shah discuss women's absence from decision-making tables, trends in female labor force participation, and the challenges faced by women economic policy makers in India. They also highlight the progress made and the need for greater representation of women in these roles.
Institutional barriers and societal biases hindered the progress of women in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), limiting their chances of rising to senior positions.
The absence of women in key economic policymaking positions during the 1991 reforms can be attributed to institutional barriers, cultural biases, and limited opportunities for career growth.
Having female economic policymakers is crucial for better representation and addressing women-centric issues in policymaking, leading to better decision-making and outcomes for society as a whole.
Deep dives
Institutional barriers for women in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) had institutional barriers that hindered the progress of women in the service. Recruitment rules set up in 1954 mandated that female officers had to quit the service if they got married, creating a disqualifier that affected women's career advancement. This rule remained in place until 1971, resulting in fewer women entering the services and limiting their chances of rising to senior positions. Additionally, the culture within the IAS and society at large did not support the idea of women in decision-making and governance roles. Women were often allocated to departments deemed as "soft" and faced challenges in promotions and job opportunities within the service. These factors, along with limited networking and mentorship opportunities, contributed to the low representation of women in top leadership positions within the IAS.
The absence of women in economic policymaking during the 1991 reforms
During the 1991 economic reforms in India, there was a lack of women in key economic policymaking positions. Research shows that senior bureaucrats, technocrats, and technical economists involved in the reforms were predominantly men, while women were underrepresented or absent. The absence of women can be traced back to the institutional barriers within the IAS, the feeder pool for talent in economic policymaking. Recruitment rules that restricted women's career advancement and cultural biases against women in decision-making roles contributed to this absence. Women who did manage to navigate these challenges often faced resistance and were given lower positions and limited opportunities compared to their male counterparts. This lack of gender diversity in economic policymaking highlights the need for more inclusive structures and support for women in the field.
The significance of female economic policymakers
Having female economic policymakers is crucial for better representation and addressing women-centric issues in policymaking. Studies have shown that when women are in positions of power, they prioritize policies and initiatives that address the needs and challenges faced by women. This includes issues like better infrastructure, education, healthcare, and rural development. Women-centric policies tend to have a positive impact on the lives of women and contribute to social and economic progress. The presence of women in economic policymaking also ensures a more diverse range of perspectives and ideas, resulting in better decision-making and outcomes for society as a whole.
Barriers for women in rising to top technocratic positions beyond the IAS
The challenges faced by women in rising to top technocratic positions extend beyond the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) to other arenas like academia, international organizations, and university. Although women have made progress in terms of education and entering these fields, they face barriers in reaching leadership positions. Factors such as implicit biases, limited networking opportunities, family responsibilities, and cultural expectations impact their career growth. Despite the presence of talented women, gender diversity in top technocratic positions remains low. The issue requires further research and efforts to address systemic barriers and create a more inclusive environment for women to thrive.
The impact of liberalization on women's participation in the labor force
The podcast discusses how liberalization in certain sectors of the economy had a significant impact on women's participation in the labor force. Examples mentioned include aviation and broadcasting, where women had better representation, particularly in journalism and news broadcasting. However, the overall industrialization of the economy, like in South Korea or China, did not occur in India, resulting in fewer opportunities for women to enter the labor force in large numbers.
Representation of women in leadership positions and the need for systemic change
The podcast highlights the lack of women in key leadership positions in India, particularly in the economic and policy domains. While there have been a few women appointed to prominent positions in recent decades, such as Gita Gopinath and Ila Patnaik, the overall progress is slow. The discussion emphasizes the need for clear intent and systemic changes to enable more women to enter leadership roles. Additionally, the importance of recognizing and acknowledging the work of women economists and experts, especially at the state government level, is highlighted as a way to promote inclusion and diversity.
In this episode, Shruti speaks with Shreyas Narla and Kadambari Shah about women missing from the 1991 reforms high table decision making, trends in female labor force participation, how women in economics are finding their seats in various economic institutions across India, and more. To learn more about Shreyas and Kadambari’s research, oral history interviews, and their work on the 1991 Project, visit the1991Project.com.
