Why is female labour force participation so low in India? Podcast with Suhani Jalota and Lisa Ho

• Why did only 10% of women show interest in work at call centres?

• Is one pathway home-based digital jobs?

• Why do most Indian men express support for female employment in general, yet restrict their own wives?

• Why did some men in Mumbai refuse to answer surveys?

• Why are unmarried women in Mumbai restricted from learning about reproductive health?

• If two binding constraints are male honour and wifely obedience, how might these be tackled?

• Would employment rise with subsidised childcare?

• How can women be ‘empowered’? Or is that focus misplaced?

• Might it be more effective to reduce men’s fear of disapproval?

Suhani Jalota and Lisa Ho ran two two Randomised Controlled Trials on female labour force participation in Mumbai and West Bengal. We met to discuss both. This episode is superbly fascinating and great fun.

“Rocking Our Priors” is streamed on many platforms - including Spotify and iTunes.