Abstract
The gender discrimination in workforce continues to be a major socio-economic challenge in India which is highly noticeable in the private sector. Due to the existence of the gender discrimination, the wage disparities affect women’s economic outcomes. This study examines the extent of gender discrimination in private sector employment and how it effects on their investment, savings and consumption behavior. The study is conducted by using primary data collected through a field survey of 96 private sector employees in Valanchery municipality, Kerala. The study covers two private sectors, educational sectors and commercial sectors. Multiple regression and descriptive statistics are the techniques used to conduct gender wise, sector wise and experience wise comparisons of wages and economic outcomes. The findings show that the gender discrimination still exists across all sectors even with same qualifications and experience. The lower earnings limit their consumption, savings and investment, indicating that wage discrimination has broader economic consequences beyond income inequality. Thus, the study shows the need for policy measures to ensure wage equality and inclusive growth.