Transformation of Women at Work in Asia: An Unfinished Development Agenda

This book examines the drivers of, and barriers to, participation of women in the Asian labour market for its socio-economic development and structural transformation.

Based on original comparative research and extensive fieldwork, Transformation of Women at Work in Asia highlights the commonalities as well as the diverse nature of challenges that women across Asia face in gaining access to more and better jobs. Findings show that women across the continent have contributed significantly to its spectacular growth story; yet, social norms and economic factors limit their levels of participation.

The book calls for a comprehensive approach to improve opportunities for women’s participation in the labour market as well as for the freedom to engage in paid employment. This will, in turn, contribute to a more inclusive growth process. It addresses important challenges faced by women workers and provides policy options for governments to promote decent work opportunities for women across social strata. 

Sukti Dasgupta is Chief, Employment and Labour Markets Branch in the ILO Office in Geneva. She has previously worked at the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok and in the field offices in South Asia and East Asia. She holds a PhD degree in Economics from the University of Cambridge, UK. She has published widely in the areas of employment, poverty and gender. She has extensive experience in working with policymakers on employment and labour market policies.

Sher Singh Verick is Deputy Director of the ILO Decent Work Team for South Asia and Country Office for India. Prior to joining the ILO, he worked for the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and at various research institutions in Europe and Australia. He holds a Master’s degree in Development Economics from the Australian National University and a PhD degree in Economics from the University of Bonn. Since December 2004, he has been a Research Fellow of the Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA). He has published in a range of top-ranked journals and has authored or edited a number of volumes on diverse topics as the impact of the global financial crisis on employment and labour market institutions.