ABSTRACT
The unexpected decline in women's labour force participation has led to much research and discussion at the policy level, most of it focused on a number of key explanations for the downward trend. The factors behind the decline in female labour force participation relate to both the demand and supply-side of the labour market in a complex and interrelated manner. Social norms have played an historical role in defining how and whether women can engage in paid work or as entrepreneurs outside the home. When compared with other countries in the Asia Pacific region, South Asian countries have some of the lowest female labour force participation rates, which vary much more than the rates for men. The normative frameworks and observations of the International Labour Organization around the world provide some insights into effective approaches to employment policy.
