Sahit Report 2023
Women make up nearly 50% of the world’s population and yet their role in representative democracy has been recent, when looked at in the historical context. Globally, women have been able to vote only for over a century. Their participation in increasing national economic output may be even more recent. In comparison, India has had women in its council of ministers since the very first Lok Sabha in 1952. Women have been a part of nation-building in India since its very beginning and the number of women in the workforce has been gradually increasing ever since. However, as we look to become world leaders in innovation and reach the ambitious targets of the US$ 5 trillion economy in the next few years, it’s important to accelerate the growth of the number of women in the workforce.
Executive Summary
1. Progress in Women's Workforce Participation
India has made significant progress in women’s workforce inclusion over the years. There have been positive developments in education, employment, health, and gender empowerment through efforts from the government, NGOs, and private sectors. Women now hold 36% of senior management roles in mid-market businesses—4% above the global average. Their representation on company boards has also grown from 9.4% in 2014 to 17.1%, highlighting a shift toward greater gender balance in leadership.
2. Impact of Government Policies & Job Creation
Policies like the PLI scheme have played a major role in creating manufacturing jobs, especially over the past two years. The Apple ecosystem alone generated over 100,000 jobs, with 70% of these filled by young women aged 19–24. These opportunities are helping women launch their careers, improve their skills, and enhance their families’ quality of life. Despite this progress, societal barriers such as unpaid domestic responsibilities still limit women’s full workforce participation.
3. Ongoing Challenges and Future Outlook
Although challenges remain, India is steadily moving toward a more inclusive and equitable society for women. Continued policy support and improved access to opportunities can help accelerate this shift. This report dives into the key obstacles hindering women’s workforce participation and provides evidence-based, ground-level solutions from five partner organisations that conducted primary and secondary research.
Key Obervations
India’s Untapped Talent Pool
Women are the biggest unexplored talent pool in the world. Unlocking their potential in India could add $700 billion to GDP by 2025.
Rise in Workforce Participation
The Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLPR) rose from 23.3% in 2017–18 to 32.8% in 2022, showing a 10% increase in just 5 years.
Youth Employment Impact
The Apple ecosystem created 100,000+ jobs, with 70% filled by women aged 19–24, boosting early-career opportunities.
Leadership & Boardroom Gains
36% of senior management roles in mid-market Indian firms are held by women (4% above global average).
Policy-Driven Job Creation
The PLI scheme has driven significant manufacturing job growth over just 2 years, enabling more women to join the workforce.
Women in Governance
Since independence, 82 women have served in the Union Council of Ministers. Today, 10 women (13% of the cabinet) are in office — the highest representation to date.
