Reforms needed to strengthen Bhutan’s financial sector: World Bank Report

Is Marriage Killing Women’s Careers?

Bhutan is doing far better than other countries in the region when it comes to executing dual roles

A recent World Bank report has highlighted the persistent gender disparity in employment across South Asia, with women experiencing a significant decline in labor force participation post-marriage, often referred to as a “marriage penalty.”

However, experts say that the experience is insignificant in Bhutan, if not existent at all. Bhutan’s female labour force participation rate is over 60%, highest in the region comprising of South Asian countries like India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives. This itself shows that marriage is not a barrier for women in Bhutan who wish to progress their career ladder.

“I would like to challenge the assertion that “marriage kills a woman’s career,” says Yangchen C Rinzin, a senior journalist and researcher at the Centre for Bhutan Studies (CBS) who has been writing and reporting on issues related to women in Bhutan. “While it’s true that a woman’s career can sometimes be compromised after marriage, this is not inherently a result of marriage itself; rather, it stems from societal norms and individual circumstances.”

In situations where childcare resources are scarce, the burden of deciding between family and career often falls on women. Frequently, when a couple must choose which partner will step back from work, it is the woman who makes this sacrifice, influenced by traditional views that position men as breadwinners and women as caretakers, according to Yangchen.

She further asserts, “These societal expectations can create significant challenges for women striving to balance their careers and family, particularly after becoming mothers. Additionally, a major factor that contributes to the hindrance of women’s careers is the lack of supportive leadership in the workplace. Poor management decisions, a lack of empathy, and inflexible office policies can create an environment where women find it difficult to thrive professionally.”

Yangchen feels that io address these issues, it is essential to advocate for stronger policies that support women in both their professional and personal lives. This includes implementing flexible work hours, improving access to quality childcare, and enhancing maternity benefits. “By fostering a more supportive environment, we can help women sustain their careers and achieve their full potential, regardless of their marital status,” she adds.

“From a personal standpoint, I feel that the impact of marriage on a woman’s career also heavily depends on the kind of support she receives from her partner. In my own experience, my husband has always understood my ambitions and career goals, and we’ve consistently worked together to find solutions.”

She goes on to narrate that even though her job required her to spend a significant amount of time at the office, Yangchen never had to make the difficult choice to leave her career because of marriage. “I’ve also been fortunate to have a boss who allowed me the flexibility to bring my daughter to the office, which made balancing work and family responsibilities easier.”

“So in a gist, I feel that it is not marriage that inherently kills a woman’s career but rather the societal expectations, lack of workplace support, and inadequate policies that often lead to compromises,” she concluded.

The World Bank report sheds light on South Asia’s female labor force participation rate, which stood at just 32% in 2023, significantly lower than the 77% rate for men. Most countries in the region, except Bhutan, are in the bottom quartile of the World Bank’s global sample for female workforce participation.

As a result, female labor force participation rates in South Asian countries (except Bhutan) are 5 – 25 percentage points lower than in countries at similar levels of economic development.

“It must have been true 40-50 years ago during our parent’s time, but not anymore. Women now are more educated, more exposed to modern thought and intellect, and they frequently travel to different countries. All these factors have contributed to women in Bhutan to lead their lives independently in the pursuit of their dreams and aspirations in life,” said a woman who works for a NGO focusing on women empowerment.

In India, female employment rates drop by 12 percentage points after marriage, about one-third of the pre-marital employment level, even in the absence of children. Meanwhile, men gain a 13-percentage-point employment premium upon marriage, although this advantage gradually erodes after five years.

“This marriage penalty among women without children persists up to five years after the wedding in India and Maldives,” the report states, attributing the trend to deep-rooted social norms. In addition to the marriage penalty, women also face a “child penalty,” as care giving responsibilities often push them out of the workforce.

The study emphasizes that higher education for both men and women can mitigate the marriage penalty. “Women with more than secondary schooling or those marrying men with similar educational backgrounds are less likely to face the marriage penalty,” the report notes.

The South Asia Development Update, focused on “women, jobs, and growth,” indicates that the region has made progress in the past three decades. However, two-thirds of working-age women are still not part of the labor force. The report highlights that raising women’s labor force participation to the level of men could result in a 13–51% boost to South Asia’s regional GDP and per capita income.

“If women worked in as productive jobs as men, GDP in the South Asian region could go up by up to 51%,” said Franziska Ohnsorge, World Bank’s chief economist for South Asia. She described South Asia, especially India, as a “bright spot” in the global economy but stressed that the potential could be even greater if more women entered the workforce.

Poonam Gupta, director general of the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), echoed similar sentiments. “We need to target institutional and societal causes creating the gender gaps in employment, while simultaneously making it easier, safer, remunerative, and professionally rewarding for women to join the workforce,” she told the Times Of India.

This report calls for coordinated efforts to bridge the gender employment gap in South Asia, underscoring the need for both policy reforms and social change to tap into the region’s full economic potential.

By Tashi Namgyal, Thimphu