Status of Women Employees in NGOs: A Qualitative Analysis

Abstract

The scope for best practices in social work profession is largely evident from understanding the functioning of Non-Governmental organizations (NGOs). The economic aspect of any profession is crucial in determining the dignity of life of the employee.  It is especially noted that, in most of the NGOs, women form the major workforce especially at the field work and project implementation levels (Vasan, 2004). Loads of admiration for achievements of NGOs are often boasted out; however a little is heard about NGOs as employers. The wages paid to the NGO workers are found to be very less. The study briefly analyses the economic exploitation which happens in the NGOs with the help of three case studies.The study also looks into the gender aspects of economic division. A brief enquiry is made through the opinion of the selected subjects about any gender based disparity existing in NGO sector in terms of economic allocations. The paper points out to the need of self reflection from the part of social work professionals. The study increasingly identifies the fact that actual practice is far away from what is being preached. Gender and economy are the two crucial aspects while considering NGOs as workplace (Mitra, 2013). The paper highlights the need for fixing standardized salary and working conditions for the workers, especially women and also the need for adopting a special labour policy for the employees in NGOs. This study also hopes to provide suggestions for making NGOs gender sensitive workplaces.

Keywords: NGO employees, Economic exploitation, Gender disparity