WIDOWHOOD, GENDER, AND WORK: A CAPABILITY-BASED ANALYSIS OF LABOUR MARKET BARRIERS AMONG YOUNG WIDOWS IN TAMIL NADU

Abstract

Young widowhood in India represents a critical intersection of gender, age, and economic vulnerability. While labour market participation is often considered a pathway to economic recovery, conventional indicators such as employment status and income inadequately capture the lived constraints faced by young widows. Drawing on the Capability Approach, this study examines how labour market conditions shape the work-related capabilities of young widows in Tamil Nadu. Using a quantitative cross-sectional survey of 360 young widows aged 18–40 years across selected districts, the study constructs a Work-Related Capability Index (WRCI) to assess substantive freedoms related to employment choice, income security, job stability, and work–life balance. The findings reveal that employment in the informal sector, wage insecurity, limited access to social protection, and entrenched gender norms significantly constrain young widows’ capabilities, even when they are economically active. The study argues that labour market inclusion alone is insufficient; policy interventions must focus on expanding capabilities to enable dignified and sustainable livelihoods for young widows.