2015 · GS Paper 1 · Q12 · 12 marks
Discuss the positive and negative effects of globalization on women in India.
In short
Globalisation has brought Indian women new jobs, global rights norms and greater autonomy, but also insecure low-wage work, lost artisan livelihoods, commodification and unequal digital access. In Vishaka (1997) the Supreme Court drew on CEDAW to frame workplace harassment guidelines.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 279 words
New work
IT, BPO and export garment jobs drew young women into paid urban work, and NASSCOM counts women at over a third of the IT workforce.
Rights norms
In Vishaka (1997) the Supreme Court drew on CEDAW for workplace harassment guidelines, and #MeToo (2018) gave women a global voice of protest.
Autonomy
Migration for study and work, delayed marriage and smartphones loosened the hold of the joint family and opened online work, learning and e-commerce to women at home.
Cheap labour
Export firms prize women as low-wage workers, and Tamil Nadu's Sumangali scheme bound girls to years of mill work for a promised lump sum.
Lost livelihoods
Cheap imports and mechanisation hurt home-based women artisans such as handloom weavers.
Commodification and risk
Advertising commodifies women's bodies, while trafficking and cyber harassment grow.
Unequal gains
Women are 30% less likely than men to use mobile internet (GSMA, 2024), and urban professionals' freedom often rests on unprotected domestic workers.
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This chapter in the exam
Role of women and women's organization13 questions
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Question from the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2015 paper. Answer written by Ghissu's engine and checked against our editorial standards. Found an error? Tell us and we correct it within 48 hours.