Women in the Workforce: Progress, Challenges and Government Support

Celebrating Women’s Workforce Participation on International Women’s Day

As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, it is essential to recognize the strides made in enhancing female workforce participation in India. Over the past six years, data shows a significant rise in women’s engagement in economic activities, a declining unemployment rate and a steady increase in earnings across employment categories. These positive trends reflect the growing empowerment of women through education, skill development and Government initiatives that have been instrumental in shaping their economic contributions.

Rural Women Leading the Way

One of the most notable aspects of this transformation is the remarkable increase in female labour force participation in rural areas. The rural Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) has surged by 23%, rising from 24.6% in 2017-18 to 47.6% in 2023-24. This shift highlights the growing contribution of rural women to economic production, indicating not only an increase in employment opportunities but also a change in societal attitudes toward women’s work.

A Look at the Numbers: Employment Trends for Women

The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), conducted by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), presents a clear picture of improved female workforce participation between 2017-18 and 2023-24:

• Worker Population Ratio (WPR) for Women: Doubled from 22% to 40.3%
• Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for Women: Increased from 23.3% to 41.7%
• Unemployment Rate for Women: Declined from 5.6% to 3.2%

These indicators demonstrate that more women are entering the workforce, reflecting a positive shift in India’s labour market dynamics.

Education and Workforce Participation: A Promising Trend

Education plays a vital role in women’s workforce participation. The PLFS data shows that the proportion of educated women joining the workforce has steadily increased:

• Post-graduate and above: Workforce participation rose from 34.5% in 2017-18 to 39.6% in 2023-24.
• Higher Secondary level: Increased from 11.4% to 23.9%.
• Primary education level: Workforce participation doubled from 24.9% to 50.2%.

This trend highlights that more educated women are contributing to the economy, a crucial factor in India’s socio-economic growth.

Earnings Growth for Self-Employed Women

Women entrepreneurs and self-employed professionals have also seen a steady increase in earnings. The PLFS data from 2023-24 compared to 2018-19 reflects that female self-employed workers are earning more, showcasing the impact of economic reforms and Government support.

Barriers to Workforce Participation

Despite these positive trends, many women remain outside the workforce due to:

• Continuing Education: Around 37.94% of women cite education as the primary reason for not joining the workforce, reflecting a focus on higher qualifications.
• Domestic Commitments: 43.04% of women report childcare and homemaking responsibilities as barriers, highlighting the need for policy interventions that support work-life balance.

Government Initiatives Supporting Women’s Employment

Recognizing the importance of female workforce participation, the Indian Government has introduced several schemes and reforms to enhance women’s employability and entrepreneurship.

Key Government Initiatives

• National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM): Around 9 crore women are connected with self-help groups (SHGs) under NRLM, helping them secure collateral-free loans and promoting self-employment.
• Stand Up India: This initiative provides loans to women entrepreneurs, including those from marginalized communities, fostering financial independence.
• Skill India Mission: A national program aimed at improving the skill development of women, making them more employable in diverse industries.
• 400+ State-Level Schemes: In addition to central programs, various state governments have introduced over 400 entrepreneurship schemes to support rural women in multiple sectors.
• 70 Central Government Schemes: Across 15 ministries, these schemes focus on promoting women’s self-employment and economic empowerment, particularly in agriculture, MSMEs and skill development.

These initiatives are playing a crucial role in enhancing female workforce participation, providing access to funding, training and economic opportunities.

The Road Ahead: Towards Gender Equality in Employment

The increasing participation of women in the workforce is a significant milestone for India’s economic resilience and gender equality. While challenges remain, the steady rise in employment, earnings and education levels indicates a promising future.

To ensure sustained progress, continued policy support, societal change and corporate participation are essential. Encouraging flexible work environments, better childcare support and access to financial resources can further strengthen women’s economic independence.

This International Women’s Day, let us celebrate the achievements of working women, recognize their contributions to India’s economic growth and commit to fostering an inclusive workforce where every woman has the opportunity to thrive.

Source: Press Release:Press Information Bureau