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contributing towards Indian economy is 34 %. Over the years, its service sector has grown at a fast pace, attracting a large number of female workers. This has increased female participation in workforce and enlarged its middle class by increasing income level. Indian society is marred by many traditional social evils, such as sexual exploitation and financial exploitation of female, male dominance, dowry, female infanticide and social exclusion. The economic emancipation of a large segment of Indian women has helped them to get economic independence and the level of exploitation is gradually coming down.

Afghanistan: It is an impoverished country being one of the world's poorest and least developed countries. About half of the population lives on fewer than 2 US dollars a day. Its economy has suffered greatly from the 1979 Soviet invasion and subsequent conflicts, while severe drought added to the nation's difficulties in 1998–2001. The total population of Afghanistan is 33 million with the adult literacy rate of 28 % (42 % for males and 12 % for females). Out of total labor force of 15 million, about 80 % is working in agriculture sector. The ratio of female workers in workforce of Afghanistan is estimated as 22 %, who are mainly employed in informal agriculture sector getting very low salary. Afghanistan is highly dependent on foreign aid (SAARC Tenders). Its labor force is handicapped by lack of economic opportunity and sustainable livelihood. Its cultural barriers prohibit participation of females in economic activity or even from getting education. The economic pressures continue to build as the males are more involved in conflict and the family resources are getting dried out. In such a situation, the female may fell compulsion to take employment despite traditional barriers. However, the female workers are not prepared for this role and an unskilled female workforce is likely to be exploited.

Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka, with a total population of 22 million, has the highest literacy rate of 91 % in South Asia. Its total labor force is estimated as 8.5 million, out of which about 40 % is employed in service sector, 25 % is involved in industrial sector and 15 % in agriculture. Being affected by an ongoing conflict, Sri Lanka is facing severe economic problems leading to restricted employment opportunities for its workforce. Its workforce includes about 35 % female workers, which is on higher side by the south Asian standards. This higher participation of females in labor force of Sri Lanka is attributed to high literacy rate amongst women and lower socio-cultural barriers.

Female Employment Pattern in Muslim Countries

Because of religious, social and cultural barriers to female participation in workforce, female employment is generally not encouraged in Middle Eastern Muslim countries (Nassar, 2003). In countries like Saudi Arabia, where women are denied even the basic rights of free mobility or driving, permission to females to participate is economic activity is a farfetched ideal.

Bahrain: Population for Bahrain in year 2009 is 1.2 million, including about 50 % expatriates (Economic Watch). Bahrain is one of the more liberal countries in the gulf and the restrictions on women are much lower as compared to the other countries of the region (Economic Watch). The government encourages females to take part in economic activity. From 0.6 million labor force of Ba