Impact of marital status on women labour force participation: a study based on Hemmathagama

Abstract

Women’s labour force participation is one of the important determinants of economic growth. In this view marital status has an important role in women’s labour force participation. This study aims to analyze the impact of marital status on women's labour force participation in the Hemmathagama area. Sub objectives of this research are to identify the relationship between marital status and women's labour force participation, to identify the factors influencing the women's labour force participation decision according to their marital status and to find out the issues and challenges faced by women employees in the Hemmathagama area. Accordingly, primary data were collected by distributing questionnaires among women employees in the Hemmathagama area and 130 questionnaires were collected for this study. Secondary data were collected through reports of the Mawanella divisional secretariat, published articles and web pages. The data were analysed by descriptive and multinomial logistic regression methods using SPSS software. According to the analysis, marital status is imports on women labour force participation, meanwhile the married category of marital status is an important factor that impact on women's labour force participation. According to the correlation test, there is a strong relationship between marital status and women’s labour force participation. However, this study found that women employees are facing many challenges like child care, housekeeping, family responsibilities etc. This study suggested that women employees need family support to manage these problems. The government should ensure the provision of subsidized childcare facilities in the research area.