Women's participation in India's workforce is emerging as a critical factor in the country's journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047. Sumita Dawra, secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, underscored the significance of this in her recent address at a CII event, highlighting that achieving 70% female workforce participation is pivotal for a 'Viksit Bharat'.

According to Dawra, women's participation in economic activities has seen notable progress in recent years. The worker population ratio for women has nearly doubled from 22% in 2017-18 to over 40% in 2023-24, while the labour force participation rate has increased from about 23% to 42% in the same period. “This speaks about a remarkable transformation in the economic landscape when it comes to women participating in economic activities,” Dawra said.

The rise is driven by various sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, services, and self-employment. Educated women are increasingly joining the workforce, with 40% of women holding postgraduate degrees or higher working in 2023-24 compared to 34-35% six years ago. The participation of women with primary education has also risen significantly from 25% to 50% over the same period, indicating a more conducive socio-economic environment.

However, despite this upward trend, several challenges persist. Dawra pointed out that nearly 44-45% of women cite childcare responsibilities and domestic commitments as key reasons for not participating in the workforce. Wage disparities, limited leadership roles, and job security concerns further hinder women's workforce participation.

To address these issues, Dawra highlighted various policy interventions such as the Maternity Benefit Act, which provides 26 weeks of paid leave, and the POSH Act, which ensures a harassment-free work environment. Government schemes like Stand Up India and Mahila E-Haat support women entrepreneurs, while Skill India and the National Skill Development Mission offer training in emerging sectors like AI, cybersecurity, and fintech.

The creative industry is one of the key areas where women play a significant role. Tarana Sawhney, advisor, CII Task Force on Art & Culture, emphasised that women lead top contemporary art galleries in India, participate in global institutions, and mentor emerging artists. However, she acknowledged the challenges of unequal pay, limited institutional support, and sociocultural biases. “Equipping women with technological tools and resources is essential to further their artistic and entrepreneurial endeavours, envisioning a future where gender is an afterthought and equal opportunity is a reality,” she opined.

The fashion industry also sees significant female participation, but there is a need for greater skill-building initiatives. Fashion designer Rina Dhaka highlighted that women contribute across design, production, retail, and entrepreneurship. “Fashion transcends mere clothing, serving as a reflection of culture, identity, and societal progress. There is a need to establish skill-building initiatives and training programs for female tailors, machine operators, and CAD designers to enhance employment opportunities and promote fair compensation,” shared Dhaka.

Looking ahead, Dawra outlined four key areas to enhance women's participation: expanding affordable childcare services, boosting skilling in emerging sectors, creating safe and equitable workplaces, and increasing women's involvement in AI and digital technologies. The government's initiative to reserve one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies in 2023, along with efforts to induct women into combat roles in the armed forces, are “historic decision to get women into decision making”.

“As more women join the workforce, they bring different perspectives, enhance productivity, and drive sustainable growth,” Dawra said. With women constituting 43% of India's STEM graduates and outperforming global averages in fields like aviation and space science, their role in India's economic growth is increasingly undeniable.

Women workforce

India’s billion-dollar bet: Women powering 70% of the workforce by 2047