Climate emergency is creating a new set of challenges to female labour force across South Asia. As rural and urban areas face different issues, Kapila Chinthaka Premarathne asks if internet-facilitated gig economy work opportunities may provide one answer to address the challenges and empower women workers.

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Women in South Asia face significant challenges despite opportunities for income generation and growth. South Asia’s heightened vulnerability to climate-related disasters (intensifying heatwaves, floods and droughts) exacerbates existing gender inequalities. The adverse impact of such phenomena is particularly severe for women, who often depend on climate-sensitive livelihoods and have limited adaptive capacity. Further, unemployed women in most South Asian cities face harsh social and economic conditions which may force some to engage in temporary, unsafe jobs and/or illegal activities, further complicating the situation.

The need to develop sustainable incomes for vulnerable women by leveraging the potential of Gig Economy activities may provide one solution to the problem.

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Rural women and girls bear the brunt of the climate crises due to less access to education, employment, financial services, and land resources, coupled with constrained roles in decision-making at all levels. For instance, in Pakistan’s Sindh province, catastrophic floods have decimated farmland, pushing destitute farmers to marry off their young daughters as a survival strategy, thereby exacerbating social ills like child marriage. In the context of women-headed households in general, a study conducted in India found that the impact of climate change alongside other dimensions of poverty are particularly severe.

On the other hand, recent studies highlight the dissatisfaction among urban women in South Asia regarding their income. According to a UN report, gender pay gaps are more pronounced in urban areas in South Asia, with urban women earning 42 per cent less than men, compared to a 28 per cent disparity in rural areas. A report by the World Bank’s Chief Economist Office for South Asia reveals that despite urbanisation, female labour force participation (FLFP) in South Asia remains low, with urban areas exhibiting a significant rural–urban gap in FLFP. This suggests that urban women are not benefiting fully from the economic opportunities that urbanisation typically offers. These facts underscore the need for actions aimed at sustainable incomes.

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New economic trends like the circular economy, digital finance, green jobs, and social entrepreneurship are helping reduce poverty and create new job opportunities in South Asia.  Digital Finance in particular improves financial inclusion, as seen in India’s Jan Dhan-Aadhar-Mobile (JAM) trinity, which has enabled millions to access banking services. The circular economy creates sustainable livelihoods, evident in Bangladesh’s waste-to-wealth initiatives, where women-led enterprises recycle plastic waste into products. Green jobs promote sustainability, as in Pakistan’s 10 Billion Tree Tsunami project, which has provided employment to thousands, including women and youth, while also restoring ecosystems. Similarly, social entrepreneurship drives community-based solutions, empowering marginalised groups and fostering economic resilience. For instance, Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) empowers marginalised women in India through financial services, training and micro-loans, fostering economic resilience and community development since 1972. These examples show how new economic trends when coupled with innovative concepts can prove to be useful in solving current employment issues for vulnerable women.

The gig economy, an emerging global economic trend, can be an income-earning option for climate-vulnerable women in South Asia due to the large number of working opportunities in various areas. The gig economy provides a labour market characterised by short-term, flexible jobs or freelance work, often facilitated through digital platforms.

However, an important question arises: is the average individual sufficiently equipped to perform these specialised tasks? This should not pose a problem because earnings in the gig economy are varied and adjusted to qualifications. However, it should be noted that access to gig working opportunities remains limited in rural areas across countries in South Asia.

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Against this backdrop, job creators i.e. large corporations or small enterprises should connect with job-seeking women via gigs. Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr have proven the potential of gig-based economies with freelancers all over the world without formal training, and should prove useful in South Asia as well where such freelancers already play a huge role in domestic economies. The only difference is that such platforms do not have geographic or demographic filters or specialisation or targeted developmental outcomes. Research findings from India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have shown positive attitudes of women towards such flexible modes of working (like commonly available online freelance jobs).  Self-learning and motivation were found to be key driving forces behind the success.

This experience can be used to promote the idea of local-level gig economies for the betterment of vulnerable women in both urban and rural areas in South Asia. In its implementation phase, initiatives need to focus on education and proper exposure like online internships, virtual training programs, virtual work hubs and online mentorship programmes. These initiatives will especially help rural women and younger women to develop their required skills. Open Education Resources (OERs) like those provided by Coursera and edX offer free or affordable access to high-quality education, which can be leveraged for skill development in under-served areas.  

However, activities must be developed with a deep understanding of local market demands, socio-cultural contexts and the willingness of stakeholders (local job creators like NGOs, banks, the private sector, co-operative organisations, etc). As such, research and empirical studies are essential to ensure that the activities of the proposed gig economy are adaptable, sustainable and culturally appropriate. Local entrepreneurs, local governments and NGOs can build this platform and maintain the linking process while making upfront fee and commission based on the willingness of stakeholders.  Such innovative solutions are not yet available in South Asia.

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According to recent statistics on digital infrastructure use and development, conducting gig economy activities in South Asia presents both opportunities and challenges. A large, tech-savvy workforce,  growing internet penetration, use of mobile phones, and digital connectivity are strong points (Table 1). So, South Asia has the potential for gig platforms, fostering entrepreneurship and reducing unemployment.

However, challenges persist, such as the concentration of resources in urban areas and limited access to digital infrastructure in rural regions, including unstable internet access. Disparities in education and work opportunities have created further inequality between rural and urban women.

Against this background, collaborative efforts between governments, businesses and NGOs can help formalise gig work, ensuring fair access and improvement opportunities for workers, thus enabling a more inclusive and sustainable gig economy.

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Banner image © Onkarphoto, West Bengal (India), 2020, Unsplash.