Concept:
- A woman drops out of a profession at one of three points: before entry for want of qualification, at entry because of discrimination, or after entry because the workplace is unworkable.
- A useful answer supplies one measure for each point.
Step 1: Deal with the barrier before entry.
Fewer girls complete schooling and higher education than boys, so many professions are closed to them before they even apply. Free schooling, scholarships, hostels and vocational training remove this barrier at its source.
Step 2: Deal with the barrier at entry.
Even qualified women face preference given to men in hiring and promotion. Strict enforcement of the law on equal wages for equal work, transparent recruitment and penalties for discrimination make the selection fair.
Reservation, which has already increased the presence of women in local government, can serve the same purpose in other spheres.
Step 3: Deal with the barrier after entry.
Many women leave a job because of unsafe travel, harassment at work, or the impossibility of combining employment with the care of a small child. Safe transport, strong laws against harassment, maternity leave and creches at the workplace allow a career to continue.
Step 4: Deal with the attitude behind all three.
Underlying every barrier is the belief that certain work is unsuitable for women. Awareness campaigns, and the visible example of women already working in such professions, are what change that belief over time.
Final Answer: Open the door with education and training, keep the selection fair through equal wage laws and transparent hiring, and keep women in the job through safe workplaces, maternity benefits and childcare.