Women’s Labour Policy in Chhattisgarh: Impact, Challenges and Future Directions – A Sociological Study

Women’s labour participation in Chhattisgarh represents a historically rooted and socially shaped phenomenon. Unlike many other Indian states, Chhattisgarh’s tribal, agrarian and forest-based socio-cultural systems have enabled women to participate in productive activities for centuries. However, the contemporary labour landscape of the state reveals a complex interplay of structural inequalities, industrial transitions, informal labour practices, state policies, and gendered socio-cultural norms. This research paper presents a sociological analysis of Chhattisgarh’s Women’s Labour Policy, examining its evolution, implementation, impact and limitations. Using feminist sociology, labour process theory and institutional analysis as theoretical foundations, the study critically discusses how the policy influences women’s work conditions, wage structures, occupational health, mobility, skill development opportunities and social empowerment. The findings show that although the policy framework is progressive in intent, its outcomes remain uneven due to enforcement gaps, informalisation of labour markets, patriarchal cultural patterns and inadequate institutional capacity. The paper argues that effective realisation of gender-just labour systems in Chhattisgarh requires a multidimensional, evidence-based, intersectional and future-oriented approach that aligns with the socio-economic realities of rural, tribal and industrial regions of the state.