Educated women and unemployment in Kashmir: Demand for higher education and labour market dynamics

Pages: 2038-2044
Amira Wali and Shazia Manzoor (Department of Social Work, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir)

The unemployment indicators for Jammu & Kashmir are higher than the national average. Additionally, the female unemployment rates are much higher than that of males. The data on unemployment further indicates a worsening situation in case of educated unemployment, again more so in case of educated females (NSSO, 68th Round). This paper discusses in detail the convergences between education and employment in the form of a conceptual framework. Further, it studies the gender based enrollments in higher education to assess the nature of the potential entrants in the labour market. Unfortunately, the gender disaggregated data has not been considered so far in formulating a comprehensive employment policy. The unemployment problem has been a constant concern for successive governments and there is need of proactive measures to address this grave social and economic issue. This paper concludes that gender disaggregated data for education and unemployment will go a long way in informing the policy and addressing this concern.