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 and Workforce Participation – Chhattisgarh
- April , 2025
- Aneek Choudhary
Chhattisgarh records significantly higher female labour force participation than the national average (60% vs 42% in PLFS 2023–24), driven mainly by increased involvement of women in agriculture and allied activities since 2016. However, much of this work remains informal, with high shares of self-employment and unpaid family labour (91% in PLFS 2023–24). While schemes like the Mahila Cash and National Rural Livelihoods Mission have expanded women’s self-help groups, these patterns point to the need for deeper analysis of job quality, labour conditions, and meaningful economic opportunities for women in the state.
Chhattisgarh records significantly higher female labour force participation than the national average (60% vs 42% in PLFS 2023–24), driven mainly by increased involvement of women in agriculture and allied activities since 2016. However, much of this work remains informal, with high shares of self-employment and unpaid family labour (91% in PLFS 2023–24). While schemes like the Mahila Cash and National Rural Livelihoods Mission have expanded women’s self-help groups, these patterns point to the need for deeper analysis of job quality, labour conditions, and meaningful economic opportunities for women in the state.
Chhattisgarh records significantly higher female labour force participation than the national average (60% vs 42% in PLFS 2023–24), driven mainly by increased involvement of women in agriculture and allied activities since 2016. However, much of this work remains informal, with high shares of self-employment and unpaid family labour (91% in PLFS 2023–24). While schemes like the Mahila Cash and National Rural Livelihoods Mission have expanded women’s self-help groups, these patterns point to the need for deeper analysis of job quality, labour conditions, and meaningful economic opportunities for women in the state.
Factsheet
Trends in Female Labour and Workforce Participation – Tamil Nadu
- March , 2025
- Aneek Choudhary, Bidisha Mondal
This factsheet highlights Tamil Nadu’s strong female labor force participation, surpassing the national average, supported by key initiatives like Pudhumai Penn and the Thozhi hostel programme. It explores how these schemes have boosted women’s employment in both urban manufacturing and rural agriculture, drawing insights from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS).
This factsheet highlights Tamil Nadu’s strong female labor force participation, surpassing the national average, supported by key initiatives like Pudhumai Penn and the Thozhi hostel programme. It explores how these schemes have boosted women’s employment in both urban manufacturing and rural agriculture, drawing insights from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS).
This factsheet highlights Tamil Nadu’s strong female labor force participation, surpassing the national average, supported by key initiatives like Pudhumai Penn and the Thozhi hostel programme. It explores how these schemes have boosted women’s employment in both urban manufacturing and rural agriculture, drawing insights from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS).
Brief
Understanding the Needs of Self-Employed Women in India
- January , 2025
- Prakriti Sharma, Vidhi
Insights from the IWWAGE and Institute for Human Development’s panel at the 65th ISLE Conference
Report
Implementation research study to understand DAY-NRLM’s institutional mechanisms and interventions to address Gender Based Violence
- January , 2025
- Kaliat Ammu Sanyal
The Strengthening Women’s Institutions for Agency and Empowerment (SWAYAM) programme is being piloted in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha, in partnership with IWWAGE and DAY-NRLM. While DAY-NRLM is the largest government initiative working with rural women in India, the need remains to shift from solely engaging with women to adopting a gender equality and rights-based approach. This shift, through gender mainstreaming, aims to embed gender sensitivity across frameworks, institutions, and processes to achieve sustainable social, economic, and political goals. Under SWAYAM, gender-responsive training has been provided to cadres and institutions, focusing on gender issues, legal rights, and entitlements. A key feature of the programme is the establishment of Gender Justice Centres (GRCs) at the block level, aimed at improving women’s access to rights and services, and addressing grievances related to violence. IWWAGE, an initiative of LEAD at Krea University, conducted a qualitative study on the SWAYAM programme in these pilot states, focusing on its role in addressing Violence Against Women (VAW). The study aimed to understand women’s experiences with accessing services at GRCs and to explore how social norms and gender training impacted the community’s response to violence. The research included interviews with 102 participants across four states, involving SHG women trained and untrained in gender, women who sought support from GRCs, Gender Champions, and men related to SHG members. The study provides insights into the effectiveness of the SWAYAM programme in transforming attitudes towards violence and fostering community intervention in VAW cases.
The Strengthening Women’s Institutions for Agency and Empowerment (SWAYAM) programme is being piloted in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha, in partnership with IWWAGE and DAY-NRLM. While DAY-NRLM is the largest government initiative working with rural women in India, the need remains to shift from solely engaging with women to adopting a gender equality and rights-based approach. This shift, through gender mainstreaming, aims to embed gender sensitivity across frameworks, institutions, and processes to achieve sustainable social, economic, and political goals. Under SWAYAM, gender-responsive training has been provided to cadres and institutions, focusing on gender issues, legal rights, and entitlements. A key feature of the programme is the establishment of Gender Justice Centres (GRCs) at the block level, aimed at improving women’s access to rights and services, and addressing grievances related to violence. IWWAGE, an initiative of LEAD at Krea University, conducted a qualitative study on the SWAYAM programme in these pilot states, focusing on its role in addressing Violence Against Women (VAW). The study aimed to understand women’s experiences with accessing services at GRCs and to explore how social norms and gender training impacted the community’s response to violence. The research included interviews with 102 participants across four states, involving SHG women trained and untrained in gender, women who sought support from GRCs, Gender Champions, and men related to SHG members. The study provides insights into the effectiveness of the SWAYAM programme in transforming attitudes towards violence and fostering community intervention in VAW cases.
Newsletter (Gender In Focus)
Gender Focus- Hindi
- January , 2025
- Radha Chelappa
This issue offers a preview of IWWAGE’s work during the pandemic—field voices from discussions with civil society partners in four states, reflections on how physical distancing may affect SHG functioning, and analysis on how recovery strategies must account for women’s employment and labour participation. It also captures highlights from webinars, and introduces a new series of policy notes with timely recommendations to support a more resilient and gender-responsive post-COVID world.
This issue offers a preview of IWWAGE’s work during the pandemic—field voices from discussions with civil society partners in four states, reflections on how physical distancing may affect SHG functioning, and analysis on how recovery strategies must account for women’s employment and labour participation. It also captures highlights from webinars, and introduces a new series of policy notes with timely recommendations to support a more resilient and gender-responsive post-COVID world.
Report
Capturing Women’s Work to Measure Better
- September , 2024
- Sona Mitra | Prakriti Sharma | Aneek Choudhary
Women’s work is often underestimated in labour force surveys due to its complex nature, which includes economic, non-economic, and unpaid work such as domestic tasks and caregiving. Additionally, biases in respondents and enumerators, along with survey designs lacking gender sensitivity, contribute to data gaps and the undercounting of women’s contributions, keeping them invisible in statistics and policy discussions. Research highlights how oversimplified methodologies in mainstream surveys lead to the misclassification of economically active women as inactive. This study aims to address these gaps by testing innovative survey techniques that provide more accurate estimates of women’s participation in the workforce. It also examines perception bias in proxy-reporting. The study was conducted in Karnataka and Jharkhand, surveying 4,000 women and 800 men. Findings show that these innovations were effective in capturing more women in employment compared to conventional surveys, offering deeper insights into their time-use patterns and highlighting the impact of perception bias in proxy reporting.
Women’s work is often underestimated in labour force surveys due to its complex nature, which includes economic, non-economic, and unpaid work such as domestic tasks and caregiving. Additionally, biases in respondents and enumerators, along with survey designs lacking gender sensitivity, contribute to data gaps and the undercounting of women’s contributions, keeping them invisible in statistics and policy discussions. Research highlights how oversimplified methodologies in mainstream surveys lead to the misclassification of economically active women as inactive. This study aims to address these gaps by testing innovative survey techniques that provide more accurate estimates of women’s participation in the workforce. It also examines perception bias in proxy-reporting. The study was conducted in Karnataka and Jharkhand, surveying 4,000 women and 800 men. Findings show that these innovations were effective in capturing more women in employment compared to conventional surveys, offering deeper insights into their time-use patterns and highlighting the impact of perception bias in proxy reporting.