Recognising the intersection of caste, gender and class in the waste sector is essential to building a cleaner, more equitable world for all

In India, women waste pickers play a vital role in waste management, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas. They are part of a larger, often invisible workforce within the informal waste sector, which comprises around 1.5 million workers. These women, mostly from marginalised backgrounds, undertake roles in waste collection, sorting, and sometimes even in supervisory capacities. Despite contributing significantly to recycling operations, they earn approximately 33 per cent less than their male counterparts, underscoring deep-rooted gender inequalities in this sector.

The rise of initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) has shifted the landscape of waste management in India. Many Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) now employ more women in front-end roles, such as door-to-door waste collection and material sorting at Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs). This inclusion has led to improved Swachh Survekshan rankings for these ULBs, reflecting enhanced cleanliness and waste management efficiency. Despite this progress, women waste pickers continue to face multifaceted challenges, including gender-based violence, caste discrimination and limited economic mobility.

Case Studies: Studies from cities like Ambikapur, Bengaluru,and Tinsukia highlight the significant positive changes brought about by involving women in waste management.

Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh: With a population of around 146,000, Ambikapur became the cleanest town in its population category, mainly due to a large female workforce in waste management. Out of 550 jobs created, 457 were filled by women, resulting in an 80 per cent female workforce that greatly contributed to cleanliness and operational efficiency.

Bengaluru, Karnataka: In collaboration with the NGO Hasiru Dala, Bengaluru created over 1,200 jobs in the waste sector, with 92 per cent occupied by women. These women played various roles, from collecting fees to supervising sorting operations, positively impacting the city’s cleanliness and Swachh Survekshan rankings.

Tinsukia, Assam: Once one of the dirtiest towns in Assam, Tinsukia witnessed a remarkable transformation due to the involvement of women waste workers employed by an NGO. Of 108 jobs created for waste collection and supervision, 46 were allocated to women, enabling the town to achieve the status of the fastest-moving clean city in its category.

Challenges Faced by Women Waste Pickers:

Despite their essential contributions, women in the waste sector face a range of difficulties. Hazardous working conditions expose them to toxins and diseases and their work often goes unrecognised. Many women waste pickers are Dalits or Adivasis who endure societal stigma, which reinforces their marginalisation and limits their social mobility. They lack access to formal recognition, fair wages and safety measures, making them some of the most vulnerable in India’s workforce. The absence of specific policies addressing women waste pickers aggravates these issues. The informal nature of their work, coupled with limited research on gender dynamics in waste management, restricts policy interventions, leaving women out of leadership roles and decision-making processes.

Intersection of Caste and Gender in Waste Work

Caste adds another layer to the marginalisation of women in waste management. Often seen as “dirty work,” waste picking and sorting are stigmatised, especially for women from marginalised castes. This reinforces social hierarchies that exclude them from fair participation and economic upliftment. Scholars like Nancy Fraser and Martha Chen emphasise that caste and gender intersectionality compounds discrimination, limiting women’s bargaining power and political representation in waste management. Addressing such complex intersections requires policies that recognise these overlapping identities and create inclusive opportunities for women waste pickers.

To address these challenges and create a more equitable waste management system, policies should adopt a gender-sensitive approach, ensuring that women have access to leadership roles and opportunities for entrepreneurial development. By promoting women in management roles, their economic empowerment and social standing can be enhanced.

The inclusion of women not only enhances cleanliness but also contributes to larger goals of social justice and economic empowerment. Recognising the intersection of caste, gender and class in the waste sector is essential to building a cleaner, more equitable world for all.

(The writer is Global Advisor and Consultant on waste management; views are personal)