Gender norms and female labour force participation: An empirical analysis from the Indian state of Kerala

Gender norms that dictate the societal behaviour of different genders hinder the labour force participation of women. The Indian state of Kerala presents a striking juxtaposition: despite being lauded for its advancements in gender and human development, the state continues to struggle with low female labour force participation, with only about one-third of the females participating in the labour force in Kerala. Against this context, the study investigates the relationship between gender norms and labour force participation in Kerala, as the state mirrors trends observed at the national level. The study uses primary data obtained through a questionnaire survey from 783 educated young individuals aged between 18 and 45 in Kerala. The primary data reveal that nearly 40% of the respondents hold a conservative view on gender norms concerning gender stereotypes and employment. The empirical estimates from multinomial logistic regression reveal that the labour force participation of individuals is associated with gender norms. The study emphasises the need for targeted policies aimed at expanding affordable childcare services and encouraging shared caregiving responsibilities within families to promote the labour force participation of women.