Some Findings from Calcutta Hilary Standing with the collaboration of Bela Bandyopadhyaya The precise effects of women's participation in waged work on the family-based household have received little detailed attention until recently. This is particularly the case in many Third World urban contexts where female labour force participation rates have been traditionally low until the recent emergence of opportunities for women in 'new' gender-segregated industries, such as electronics assembly, for instance.