AFP
Syeda X, a poor migrant woman in Delhi, navigated through 50 jobs in 30 years, highlighting the plight of Indian home-based female workers. Journalist Neha Dixit sheds light on these invisible lives in her new book, “The Many Lives of Syeda X”. Despite being officially recognized in 2007, home-based workers in India lack support and protection, symbolizing the larger issue of informal employment among women in the country.
With over 80% of working women in India employed in the informal economy, home-based work is a significant sector, yet these women face poverty, instability, and lack of rights. The narrative by Ms. Dixit showcases the struggles of women like Syeda X, who find work based on the news cycle, from making political party flags to hand-stitched space suits.
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Over 17 million women are home-based workers in India, facing challenges like lack of social security and steady income. Despite the growth in urban home-based work, these women struggle with poverty and lack of government support. The narrative of Syeda X and her counterparts reflects the exploitation and vulnerability endured by many home-based workers in the country.