53.6% of Unemployed Young Women in IIOJK Struggle to Find Jobs Amid Political Instability

As political instability continues to plague IIOJK, a shocking 53.6% of young women face unemployment, exacerbating an already dire economic crisis in the region.

Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) is dealing with a severe unemployment crisis, particularly affecting young women. According to the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) from India, a shocking 53.6% of young females in the region are unable to secure jobs, the highest rate in South Asia. This alarming figure highlights the unique challenges faced by women in the region, where both gender inequality and political turmoil compound the issue.

The situation is made even more dire by the region’s ongoing political instability. The frequent killings, arrests, and enforced incapacitation of men have pushed many women into the workforce as the primary breadwinners for their families. However, despite their increased participation in the labor market, the lack of job opportunities has left many struggling to make ends meet.

The PLFS data presents a bleak picture of youth unemployment in IIOJK, with the overall rate standing at 32% among urban job seekers aged 15-29. This is significantly higher than the national average, underscoring the unique challenges posed by the region’s unstable political environment and its impact on economic opportunities. The high unemployment rate among youth, especially women, is a reflection of both the scarcity of jobs and the difficulties in accessing them.

Experts attribute the ongoing crisis to a combination of structural issues within the job market and the broader political context. The absence of effective economic policies, coupled with prolonged instability, has left the region’s economy struggling to create the conditions necessary for sustainable job growth. Furthermore, the disruption caused by ongoing conflict and political uncertainty has made it difficult for both men and women to find secure employment.

In the first quarter of 2024, over 352,000 youth were registered as unemployed in IIOJK, with nearly 31% of them being graduates or postgraduates. This is a particularly concerning trend, as it suggests that the region’s educated youth are also being left behind in terms of employment opportunities. The high level of educated unemployment is a sign that the region’s education system, while producing skilled workers, is failing to create sufficient job opportunities to match the growing demand.

The lack of job opportunities for women, in particular, has far-reaching social and economic consequences. Women who have been forced to step into the workforce as breadwinners are finding it difficult to navigate a job market that offers few prospects. The absence of gender-sensitive policies and targeted initiatives to empower women has compounded the problem, leaving many feeling marginalized and disempowered.

The need for sustainable economic reforms in IIOJK is now more pressing than ever. Experts argue that targeted initiatives to support women’s employment, coupled with a focus on creating job opportunities for the youth, are critical to addressing the region’s growing unemployment crisis. Without such reforms, IIOJK’s youth—especially young women—will continue to face an uncertain future, trapped in a cycle of economic instability and limited opportunities.