Women Participation in Indian Banking Sector: Issues and Challenges

Nationalization of the Indian Banking Sector in 1969 served as the first major step to reduce gender discrimination against women in banking and insurance sectors and has provided opportunity for women empowerment. The pattern of Indian women's employment has changed markedly since the 1970s. Technology has indeed played a significant role in this change. Increasing women literacy, growing economic pressure, and desire to gain economic and social independence are pushing womenfolk to take up gainful career in banks. The phenomenal growth of banks has created massive employment opportunities for the educated women of our nation. The women job-seekers find jobs in banks more attractive and more suitable to their nature. In this paper an attempt has been made to identify the general sentiments, challenges and opportunities of women employees in the Indian Banking Industry, which is the life blood of the Indian economy