Secretary of Labour and Employment, Smt. Sumita Dawra, participated in a round table discussion on improving female workforce participation in India.
Held at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie on March 3rd and 4th, 2025, the event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, global organizations, and skilling institutions.
The discussions focused on addressing systemic barriers and formulating innovative solutions to enhance women’s participation in the workforce.
The round table discussion marked a significant step towards realizing the goal of 70% female workforce participation by 2047, as outlined in the Union Budget 2025-26.
This ambitious target aligns with the broader vision of a developed India.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment is committed to shaping effective workforce policies that ensure sustainable and equitable participation for women.
Positive Trends in Female Workforce Participation
Smt. Dawra highlighted the remarkable progress India has made in female workforce participation over the past six years.
According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023-24, the Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) has increased from 23.3% in 2017-18 to 41.7% in 2023-24.
Similarly, the Worker Population Ratio (WPR) for women aged 15 years and above has risen from 22% to 40.3% during the same period.
Female unemployment has also seen a significant decline, dropping from 5.6% to just 3.2%.
These trends reflect a shift towards greater inclusion and economic empowerment of women.
Smt. Dawra attributed this progress to higher economic engagement, declining unemployment, and an increasing number of educated women entering the workforce.
Key Themes of the Round Table Discussion
The two-day deliberations focused on four critical themes:
- Care Ecosystem: Expanding affordable and quality care services was identified as a key enabler for women’s participation in the labour market. The discussion emphasized integrating care policies into employment frameworks to support working women.
- Future of Jobs and Skilling: Aligning skilling initiatives with industry demand was highlighted as essential for ensuring women’s access to high-growth sectors. The Ministry of Labour and Employment emphasized its role in facilitating demand-driven skilling and employment linkages.
- Safe and Equitable Workplaces: Strengthening workplace safety, equitable policies, and gender-sensitive labour laws emerged as a priority. The need for compliance mechanisms, gender audits, and enforcement of PoSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) regulations was underscored.
- AI and Digital Interventions: As India advances in AI and digital transformation, leveraging digital employment platforms has become a crucial step. Enhancing women’s digital literacy is also essential for empowering them in the evolving workforce. The discussion also covered integrating AI into workforce strategies.
Challenges and Opportunities for Female Workforce
Despite the positive trends, challenges such as workplace biases and wage disparities continue to exist.
Limited leadership opportunities and balancing professional and domestic responsibilities also remain significant hurdles.
Data shows that 45% of women cite childcare and domestic commitments as reasons for not participating in the workforce.
Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach, including mentorship programs, gender-sensitive policies, and financial support for women entrepreneurs.
Smt. Dawra emphasized the potential of sectors like STEM, entrepreneurship, and startups for furthering women’s involvement in the workforce.
She also highlighted the importance of mentorship programs to prepare women for leadership roles and create safe, inclusive workplaces.
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