Paper Contents
Abstract
Indias agricultural sector serves as a critical component of the national economy, employing a substantial portion of the female workforce, particularly in rural areas. Women play a crucial role in agricultural activities, including planting, weeding, harvesting, and post-harvest processing. However, despite their indispensable contribution, female agricultural workers face a range of occupational health risks that significantly impact their well-being. These include prolonged exposure to hazardous agrochemicals, physically strenuous labor, adverse climatic conditions, and poor access to healthcare. Additionally, gender-specific challenges such as wage disparities, socio-cultural restrictions, and lack of workplace safety regulations further exacerbate their vulnerability. This study provides an in-depth analysis of the occupational health risks faced by female agricultural workers in India, examining their underlying causes, health implications, and socio-economic determinants. It highlights the gendered nature of these risks and the systemic neglect of female laborers in policy frameworks. Furthermore, the paper evaluates the effectiveness of existing government policies, legal protections, and institutional interventions aimed at safeguarding the health and safety of female agricultural workers. Through a review of literature, field studies, and policy analysis, this paper identifies critical gaps in occupational health standards for women in agriculture and proposes actionable solutions. Key recommendations include improving awareness and training on pesticide safety, providing access to protective equipment, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, enforcing fair labor laws, and promoting mechanized farming practices tailored to womens needs. Addressing these issues is essential not only for improving the health and livelihoods of female agricultural workers but also for ensuring sustainable agricultural productivity in India.
Copyright
Copyright © 2025 sapna ratan shah. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.
