Women Leading India’s Economic Transformation Story

Syllabus :GS1/Women Empowerment

In News

• The Ministry of Labour and Employment has emphasized that Women’s employment rate in India has nearly doubled between 2017-18  to 2023-24.

Recent Trend in Women’s Labour Participation

• As per the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023-24 the women’s employment rate (WPR) has increased from 22% in 2017-18 to 40.3% in 2023-24, and unemployment dropping from 5.6% to 3.2%.
  • Rural female employment surged by 96%, and urban by 43%.
• Employment in the formal Sector: As per EPFO, over 1.56 crore women joined the formal sector via EPFO in 7 years, and 16.69 crore women are registered on e-Shram for access to welfare schemes.
• Rise in Entrepreneurship: The share of women-owned establishments rose from 17.4% in 2010–11 to 26.2% in 2023–24, while the number of women-led MSMEs nearly doubled from 1 crore to 1.92 crore in the same period.
• Future Projection: The India Skills Report 2025 projects 55% global employability for Indian graduates.

Steps Taken 

• Government initiatives have significantly boosted women entrepreneurship in India. 
• Gender budgets have increased by 429% in the last decade, rising from ₹0.85 lakh crore in FY 2013-14 (RE) to Rs. 4.49 lakh crore in FY 2025-26. 
• Programs like Startup India have fostered a thriving ecosystem, with nearly 50% of DPIIT registered startups having at least one-woman directors.
• Flagship programs such as Namo Drone Didi, and Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – NRLM are also playing a crucial role, equipping them with resources and opportunities needed to drive sustainable progress.
• PM Mudra Yojana, which is playing a crucial role in financial inclusion, with women receiving 68% of the total MUDRA loans 
• Similarly, under PM SVANidhi has empowered street vendors, around 44% beneficiaries are women under the scheme. 

Importance of Women Participation

• Increasing female participation can boost GDP and achieving 70% women workforce participation is central to India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
• Employment empowers women, reduces gender disparities, and improves household well-being.
• India’s young population offers a unique opportunity to harness female talent.
• It aligns with SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

 Challenges

• Patriarchal attitudes often restrict women’s mobility and career choices.
• Unpaid care work disproportionately falls on women.
• Lack of safe transport, sanitation, and workplace facilities deters participation.
• Women are overrepresented in informal, low-paying, and unprotected jobs.
• Schemes like MGNREGA and Skill India have potential but need better targeting and gender-sensitive design.

Conclusion and Way Forward 

• India’s rising female workforce participation presents a transformative opportunity, but sustaining it requires systemic reforms.
• Expanding skill development and vocational training for women, incentivising formal employment, and strengthening workplace safety through strict enforcement of harassment laws and provision of crèches are critical.
• With coordinated policies and societal change, women’s participation can become a driver of inclusive growth and a pillar of India’s vision for Viksit Bharat@2047.

Source :PIB