Abstract

South Asia has experienced second highest growth rate during the last three decades in the world. It is argued that the structural transformation from low productive employment to high productive employment with women’s participation in the economy is essential for the development of the economy. This paper explores whether this high growth rate over more than two decades in South Asian economies has transformed the structure of economy and whether it has been able to create additional and productive employment opportunities particularly for women. The finding shows that structural transformation from agriculture (low productive jobs) to industry or services (high productive jobs) for women is very slow in South Asian countries. Women in the most of countries in South Asia are still largely involved in agriculture, informal sector jobs and unpaid family activities, while women participation in industries and services over the period is rising but apart from creating more productive jobs in order to provide opportunities for the large number of educated young women entering in the labour market in the coming years. In addition, a suitable women environment such as safety, transport facilities, crèche and facility of break to start family and return to work are need of the hour to encourage more women participation in the labour market in services and industrial sector jobs.