Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 25: India is witnessing a transformative rise in women’s participation in the workforce, entrepreneurship, and formal economy, according to the Ministry of Labour and Employment. As per the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data, the female worker population ratio (WPR) jumped from 22% in 2017-18 to 40.3% in 2023-24, while unemployment among women fell from 5.6% to 3.2% during the same period.
Rural India Leading the Charge
The shift is particularly stark in rural India, where female employment rose by 96%, compared to a 43% increase in urban areas. Additionally, women’s self-employment has seen a notable rise—from 51.9% to 67.4%, marking a 30% increase, as more women turn to entrepreneurship and informal sector opportunities.
Formal Sector and Higher Education Gains
The formal economy is also seeing growing female participation. EPFO payroll data shows 1.56 crore women joined the formal workforce over the past seven years. Moreover, e-Shram data indicates that 16.69 crore unorganised women workers have registered for social security benefits.
In education-linked employability, progress is evident. Among women with postgraduate and higher qualifications, employment rose from 34.5% to 40%. Overall employability of female graduates increased from 42% in 2013 to 47.53% in 2024.
Policy Support and Gender Budgeting
The ministry credits multiple central and state schemes for this shift. Over 70 national-level schemes and 400+ state initiatives are supporting female entrepreneurs. The government’s gender budget also reflects this push—increasing 429% over the last decade, from Rs 0.85 lakh crore in FY14 to Rs 4.49 lakh crore in FY26, underscoring a move from women’s development to women-led development.
Flagship Schemes Fueling Change
Schemes like PM Mudra Yojana have empowered women financially, with 68% of loans (35.38 crore in number) going to women, amounting to Rs 14.72 lakh crore. Similarly, under PM SVANidhi, 44% of street vendor beneficiaries are women.
Women-centric initiatives like Namo Drone Didi, Startup India, and Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – NRLM are also playing a crucial role. Notably, around 50% of DPIIT-registered startups (over 74,000) have at least one woman director.
The government also celebrated the success of over 2 crore women who have become 'Lakhpati Didis', indicating economic independence at the grassroots level.
MSMEs and Job Creation
Women-led MSMEs have nearly doubled—from 1 crore in 2010-11 to 1.92 crore in 2023-24—and created 89 lakh additional jobs for women between FY21 and FY23. Women-owned proprietary establishments have increased their share from 17.4% to 26.2% in the same timeframe.
A New Economic Force
From rural self-employment to startup boardrooms, Indian women are emerging as a critical force in the country’s economic landscape. As government policy continues to push for inclusion, the signs point to a sustained and systemic change in women’s role in India's growth story.