Publications
Publications
Category
Year
Brief
Menstrual and Menopausal Health at Work in India
- February , 2026
- Arundati Muralidharan, Aditi Vyas, Sharati Roy, Vidhi Singh
Brief
Union Budget: 2026-27 What It Means for Women’s Economic Empowerment
- February , 2026
Report
The Changing World of Women’s Work
- April , 2025
- Bidisha Mondal, Prakriti Sharma, Aneek Chowdhury, Anjali S
This study examines women’s participation in India’s platform economy using a mixed-methods approach, combining a survey of 598 platform workers (440 women) across care, domestic, beauty, ride-sharing, and delivery services with qualitative interviews. While platform work offers new entry points and flexibility, it often mirrors and deepens the precarity of informal work, limiting its potential for women’s empowerment. Persistent challenges include income instability, high entry and platform costs, limited social protection, unsafe conditions, and reinforced gender inequalities. Meaningful progress requires coordinated action by policymakers, platforms, and worker collectives to ensure fair earnings, social security, gender-sensitive systems, and effective grievance redressal
This study examines women’s participation in India’s platform economy using a mixed-methods approach, combining a survey of 598 platform workers (440 women) across care, domestic, beauty, ride-sharing, and delivery services with qualitative interviews. While platform work offers new entry points and flexibility, it often mirrors and deepens the precarity of informal work, limiting its potential for women’s empowerment. Persistent challenges include income instability, high entry and platform costs, limited social protection, unsafe conditions, and reinforced gender inequalities. Meaningful progress requires coordinated action by policymakers, platforms, and worker collectives to ensure fair earnings, social security, gender-sensitive systems, and effective grievance redressal
Brief
Women’s Work and AI-Unlocking Potential, Bridging the Divide
- December , 2025
- Sharati Roy, Dr. Mahima Taneja
AI is not neutral in how it’s designed or deployed. It is reshaping labour markets, with the biggest gains when it complements human skills rather than replaces them (ILO, 2025). While AI can improve efficiency and decision-making in sectors like healthcare, finance, and education, it also risks job losses and deeper inequalities. Outcomes will depend on whether AI drives automation or augmentation. In India—where Digital Public Infrastructure, data expansion, and the gig economy are growing rapidly—this brief explores women’s opportunities in AI/data value-chain work and AI-augmented livelihoods to support economic empowerment.
AI is not neutral in how it’s designed or deployed. It is reshaping labour markets, with the biggest gains when it complements human skills rather than replaces them (ILO, 2025). While AI can improve efficiency and decision-making in sectors like healthcare, finance, and education, it also risks job losses and deeper inequalities. Outcomes will depend on whether AI drives automation or augmentation. In India—where Digital Public Infrastructure, data expansion, and the gig economy are growing rapidly—this brief explores women’s opportunities in AI/data value-chain work and AI-augmented livelihoods to support economic empowerment.
Report
Women and Work: How India fared in 2024
- April , 2025
- Aishwarya Bhuta, Harshita Kumari, Sohinee Thakurta, and Teesta Shukla.
The year 2024 marked a key moment for women and work in India, shaped by economic shifts, policy action, and technological change. Since 2021–22, new challenges and opportunities have influenced women’s workforce participation, alongside renewed efforts to advance women’s economic empowerment. Building on the vision of women-led development highlighted during India’s 2023 G20 presidency, momentum continued across multiple initiatives. This report examines key trends, policy developments, and emerging challenges shaping women’s work in 2024. Drawing on secondary data and research from IWWAGE and LEAD, it maps the evolving landscape of women’s work in India and identifies pathways to greater inclusion and economic agency.
The year 2024 marked a key moment for women and work in India, shaped by economic shifts, policy action, and technological change. Since 2021–22, new challenges and opportunities have influenced women’s workforce participation, alongside renewed efforts to advance women’s economic empowerment. Building on the vision of women-led development highlighted during India’s 2023 G20 presidency, momentum continued across multiple initiatives. This report examines key trends, policy developments, and emerging challenges shaping women’s work in 2024. Drawing on secondary data and research from IWWAGE and LEAD, it maps the evolving landscape of women’s work in India and identifies pathways to greater inclusion and economic agency.
Brief
Catalysing Voices From Asia To Care For ‘Care’
- November , 2025
- Sruthi Kutty, Amna Khan
This publication supports evidence-based advocacy on care work in South Asia, drawing from the coalition’s shared experiences. It presents our demands for building equitable, care-centred economies. The publication is free to use for advocacy, education, and research, with reproduction encouraged when the source is acknowledged.
This publication supports evidence-based advocacy on care work in South Asia, drawing from the coalition’s shared experiences. It presents our demands for building equitable, care-centred economies. The publication is free to use for advocacy, education, and research, with reproduction encouraged when the source is acknowledged.
Brief
Impact of Social Norms on Women’s Economic Empowerment in India
- November , 2025
- Mridusmita Bordoloi, Surabhi Awasthi, Sharati Roy
Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) refers to women’s access to economic opportunities, resources, decent work, and the ability to make independent economic choices. It is both a process and an outcome that strengthens individual agency and supports inclusive growth. In countries like India, WEE is constrained not only by structural gaps—such as inadequate care infrastructure, poor connectivity, and limited skills access—but also by deeply rooted gender norms that shape women’s roles in society.
Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) refers to women’s access to economic opportunities, resources, decent work, and the ability to make independent economic choices. It is both a process and an outcome that strengthens individual agency and supports inclusive growth. In countries like India, WEE is constrained not only by structural gaps—such as inadequate care infrastructure, poor connectivity, and limited skills access—but also by deeply rooted gender norms that shape women’s roles in society.
Report
Exploring linkages between womens empowerment workforce participation and population dynamics in the Indian context: A comprehensive macro micro analysis
- November , 2025
Gender equality and reproductive autonomy are central to India’s ability to navigate ongoing demographic transitions effectively. The study, a collaboration between the Population Foundation of India and the Institute for What Works to Advance Gender Equality (IWWAGE), presents new evidence on these critical interconnections. By integrating macro-level demographic and human development data with micro-level insights from women’s lived experiences, the study offers one of the most comprehensive analyses of its kind in India, bridging quantitative data with qualitative narratives to illuminate how women’s empowerment shapes the country’s demographic and developmental trajectory.
Gender equality and reproductive autonomy are central to India’s ability to navigate ongoing demographic transitions effectively. The study, a collaboration between the Population Foundation of India and the Institute for What Works to Advance Gender Equality (IWWAGE), presents new evidence on these critical interconnections. By integrating macro-level demographic and human development data with micro-level insights from women’s lived experiences, the study offers one of the most comprehensive analyses of its kind in India, bridging quantitative data with qualitative narratives to illuminate how women’s empowerment shapes the country’s demographic and developmental trajectory.
Factsheet
Trends in Female Labour Force Participation in West Bengal
- October , 2025
- Vidhi and Bidhisha Mondal
West Bengal has seen strong economic growth driven by manufacturing, MSMEs and investment, with GSDP projected to grow 12 per cent in 2025–26. However, per capita income remains below the national average. The state has lost around 3 million informal jobs in recent years, disproportionately affecting women, while high outmigration, especially of skilled workers, continues to reshape the labour market. Women remain concentrated in low-productivity informal sectors such as agriculture and domestic work, resulting in low female labour force participation and underscoring the need for targeted employment policies.
West Bengal has seen strong economic growth driven by manufacturing, MSMEs and investment, with GSDP projected to grow 12 per cent in 2025–26. However, per capita income remains below the national average. The state has lost around 3 million informal jobs in recent years, disproportionately affecting women, while high outmigration, especially of skilled workers, continues to reshape the labour market. Women remain concentrated in low-productivity informal sectors such as agriculture and domestic work, resulting in low female labour force participation and underscoring the need for targeted employment policies.
West Bengal has seen strong economic growth driven by manufacturing, MSMEs and investment, with GSDP projected to grow 12 per cent in 2025–26. However, per capita income remains below the national average. The state has lost around 3 million informal jobs in recent years, disproportionately affecting women, while high outmigration, especially of skilled workers, continues to reshape the labour market. Women remain concentrated in low-productivity informal sectors such as agriculture and domestic work, resulting in low female labour force participation and underscoring the need for targeted employment policies.
Factsheet
Trends in Female Labour Force and Workforce Participation- Haryana
- April , 2025
- Vidhi, Aneek Choudhary and Bidisha Mondal
Haryana has transitioned from an agrarian to a more industrial economy, characterized by strong agricultural output and growing sectors such as automotive and IT. Despite economic growth, unemployment remains high, particularly among youth and women, due to limited formal job opportunities and structural challenges. This factsheet analyses female labour force participation in Haryana from 2017–18 to 2023–24, highlighting sectoral trends, occupational segregation, and barriers to workforce entry.
Haryana has transitioned from an agrarian to a more industrial economy, characterized by strong agricultural output and growing sectors such as automotive and IT. Despite economic growth, unemployment remains high, particularly among youth and women, due to limited formal job opportunities and structural challenges. This factsheet analyses female labour force participation in Haryana from 2017–18 to 2023–24, highlighting sectoral trends, occupational segregation, and barriers to workforce entry.
Haryana has transitioned from an agrarian to a more industrial economy, characterized by strong agricultural output and growing sectors such as automotive and IT. Despite economic growth, unemployment remains high, particularly among youth and women, due to limited formal job opportunities and structural challenges. This factsheet analyses female labour force participation in Haryana from 2017–18 to 2023–24, highlighting sectoral trends, occupational segregation, and barriers to workforce entry.
Factsheet
Trends in Female Labour Force Participation in Gujrat
- April , 2025
- Aneek Choudhary and Bidisha Mondal
Gujarat records a female labour force participation rate above the national average, supported by government policies promoting women’s economic empowerment. Schemes such as Mukhyamantri Mahila Utkars Yojana and Mahila Swavalamban Scheme strengthen financial inclusion, self-help groups, and access to credit for women, especially those below the poverty line. The state also promotes women’s entrepreneurship through targeted training and awareness programmes. Using PLFS 2023–24 data, this factsheet examines women’s employment in Gujarat, focusing on job types, sectoral distribution, and key indicators shaping female workforce participation.
Gujarat records a female labour force participation rate above the national average, supported by government policies promoting women’s economic empowerment. Schemes such as Mukhyamantri Mahila Utkars Yojana and Mahila Swavalamban Scheme strengthen financial inclusion, self-help groups, and access to credit for women, especially those below the poverty line. The state also promotes women’s entrepreneurship through targeted training and awareness programmes. Using PLFS 2023–24 data, this factsheet examines women’s employment in Gujarat, focusing on job types, sectoral distribution, and key indicators shaping female workforce participation.
Gujarat records a female labour force participation rate above the national average, supported by government policies promoting women’s economic empowerment. Schemes such as Mukhyamantri Mahila Utkars Yojana and Mahila Swavalamban Scheme strengthen financial inclusion, self-help groups, and access to credit for women, especially those below the poverty line. The state also promotes women’s entrepreneurship through targeted training and awareness programmes. Using PLFS 2023–24 data, this factsheet examines women’s employment in Gujarat, focusing on job types, sectoral distribution, and key indicators shaping female workforce participation.
Factsheet
Trend in Female Labour Force Participation in Chhattisgarh
- April , 2025
- Aneek Choudhary and Bidisha Mondal
Chhattisgarh records a significantly higher female labour force participation rate than the national average, particularly in rural areas, with rising women’s participation evident since before 2016. Tribal women participate in the labour market at much higher rates than non-tribal women, but most are engaged in self-employment, with a large share working as unpaid family workers. While schemes such as Mahila Kosh and the National Rural Livelihoods Mission aim to promote women’s financial independence, the dominance of unpaid work highlights the need for a deeper examination of labour market conditions and opportunities for women in the state.
Chhattisgarh records a significantly higher female labour force participation rate than the national average, particularly in rural areas, with rising women’s participation evident since before 2016. Tribal women participate in the labour market at much higher rates than non-tribal women, but most are engaged in self-employment, with a large share working as unpaid family workers. While schemes such as Mahila Kosh and the National Rural Livelihoods Mission aim to promote women’s financial independence, the dominance of unpaid work highlights the need for a deeper examination of labour market conditions and opportunities for women in the state.
Chhattisgarh records a significantly higher female labour force participation rate than the national average, particularly in rural areas, with rising women’s participation evident since before 2016. Tribal women participate in the labour market at much higher rates than non-tribal women, but most are engaged in self-employment, with a large share working as unpaid family workers. While schemes such as Mahila Kosh and the National Rural Livelihoods Mission aim to promote women’s financial independence, the dominance of unpaid work highlights the need for a deeper examination of labour market conditions and opportunities for women in the state.
Factsheet
Trends in Female Labour Force Participation in Assam
- April , 2025
- Aneek Choudhary, Vidhi and Bidisha Mondal
Assam has seen a notable rise in female labour force participation since 2021–22, exceeding the national average. However, data for 2022–23 shows an unusually wide gender gap and the lowest recorded female participation, largely due to an NSSO enumeration error that led to underreporting. In recent years, the state has introduced several pro-women initiatives focused on self-employment, skill development, and access to credit, which are expected to support higher female participation. Updated PLFS data will provide a clearer picture of emerging trends in women’s employment in Assam.
Assam has seen a notable rise in female labour force participation since 2021–22, exceeding the national average. However, data for 2022–23 shows an unusually wide gender gap and the lowest recorded female participation, largely due to an NSSO enumeration error that led to underreporting. In recent years, the state has introduced several pro-women initiatives focused on self-employment, skill development, and access to credit, which are expected to support higher female participation. Updated PLFS data will provide a clearer picture of emerging trends in women’s employment in Assam.
Assam has seen a notable rise in female labour force participation since 2021–22, exceeding the national average. However, data for 2022–23 shows an unusually wide gender gap and the lowest recorded female participation, largely due to an NSSO enumeration error that led to underreporting. In recent years, the state has introduced several pro-women initiatives focused on self-employment, skill development, and access to credit, which are expected to support higher female participation. Updated PLFS data will provide a clearer picture of emerging trends in women’s employment in Assam.
Factsheet
Trend In Female Labour Force and Workforce Participation- Telangana
- April , 2025
- Vidhi and Bidisha Mondal
Telangana has emerged as a major industrial and services-led economy, with GSDP growing nearly 197% between 2014–15 and 2023–24. Services contribute about two-thirds of GSVA, while industry has achieved near gender parity in employment due to targeted policy interventions. Agriculture remains a key employer, engaging 45.8% of the population but contributing a smaller share to GSDP. Women are largely concentrated in agriculture, while men dominate services. This factsheet examines trends in female labour force participation in Telangana from 2017–18 to 2023–24, focusing on sectoral distribution, occupational segregation, and workforce barriers.
Telangana has emerged as a major industrial and services-led economy, with GSDP growing nearly 197% between 2014–15 and 2023–24. Services contribute about two-thirds of GSVA, while industry has achieved near gender parity in employment due to targeted policy interventions. Agriculture remains a key employer, engaging 45.8% of the population but contributing a smaller share to GSDP. Women are largely concentrated in agriculture, while men dominate services. This factsheet examines trends in female labour force participation in Telangana from 2017–18 to 2023–24, focusing on sectoral distribution, occupational segregation, and workforce barriers.
Telangana has emerged as a major industrial and services-led economy, with GSDP growing nearly 197% between 2014–15 and 2023–24. Services contribute about two-thirds of GSVA, while industry has achieved near gender parity in employment due to targeted policy interventions. Agriculture remains a key employer, engaging 45.8% of the population but contributing a smaller share to GSDP. Women are largely concentrated in agriculture, while men dominate services. This factsheet examines trends in female labour force participation in Telangana from 2017–18 to 2023–24, focusing on sectoral distribution, occupational segregation, and workforce barriers.
Factsheet
Trends in Female Labour and Workforce Participation- Meghalaya
- April , 2025
- Aneek Chowdhury, Bidisha Mondal
Meghalaya’s FLFPR is significantly higher than the average for India and many other states. Although the proportion of self-employed women has risen in both rural and urban areas, the overwhelming majority (over 75 per cent) are own-account workers. The report highlights the Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) in Meghalaya compared to other states in the country and delve into the specific data and factors influencing this FLFPR.
Meghalaya’s FLFPR is significantly higher than the average for India and many other states. Although the proportion of self-employed women has risen in both rural and urban areas, the overwhelming majority (over 75 per cent) are own-account workers. The report highlights the Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) in Meghalaya compared to other states in the country and delve into the specific data and factors influencing this FLFPR.