There is thus a clear gradation in labourforce participation of women among different socio-religious groups. While the LFPRs of rural women varied between 35.6 and 49.6 per cent in rural areas, the variation was between 20.5 and 24.4 per cent in urban areas {Figure 6-4). The reduction in the labour force participation of women is thus largely in rural areas and is consistent with the reduction of employment opportunities in agriculture.