In India, as in many developing countries, gender inequality persists in terms of women participation in labour force, lower wages and salaries of women and access to resources.
The percentage share of female population in total population in India is around 48%, while the work participation rate of females is only 26% as compared to 52% in males. About 24.9% of women in rural areas and about 14.8% of women in urban areas were in the workforce in India during 2004-05 (UNCTAD report).
In urban areas, on an average wage/salary paid to females is only 75% of that paid to males, while in rural areas females are paid 58% of what is paid to the males. This wage disparity differs across sectors and education levels.
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