Brief Context
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%.
Source Content
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