This paper delves into the persistent gender gaps in India’s labour market, highlighting the alarming decline in women’s labour force participation despite socio-economic progress. Using data from the Periodic Labour Force Surveys (PLFS) and the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), it examines the key factors contributing to this trend, including the disproportionate burden of unpaid care work. The paper underscores the need for targeted policies, such as vocational training and gender-responsive initiatives, to empower women and break down barriers to their economic participation.
Publications
Publications
Category
Year
IWWAGE-ISI-BRIEFS
Women’s Entrepreneurship in India: Harnessing the Gender Dividend
- February , 2021
- Sanjana Vijay
Women-led micro and small enterprises have benefited the least from India’s growth. Despite a rising number of MSMEs, **only 21.5%** were women-owned in **2018–19**. Growth has also stagnated: **NSS 2015** estimates show that between **2010 and 2015**, the share of women-led enterprises and their **GVA** did not rise, and their share of workers fell from **18% to 16%**. India also ranked **49th out of 57** in the **2020 Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs**, reflecting persistent barriers in the ecosystem. Limited opportunities due to inflexible work, wage gaps, and constrained job options push many women toward subsistence, “survivalist” entrepreneurship. The brief outlines key constraints—**social norms and bias, low education, limited access to affordable finance, and weak networks**—and compiles recommendations to address these social, economic, and technological barriers.
Women-led micro and small enterprises have benefited the least from India’s growth. Despite a rising number of MSMEs, **only 21.5%** were women-owned in **2018–19**. Growth has also stagnated: **NSS 2015** estimates show that between **2010 and 2015**, the share of women-led enterprises and their **GVA** did not rise, and their share of workers fell from **18% to 16%**. India also ranked **49th out of 57** in the **2020 Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs**, reflecting persistent barriers in the ecosystem. Limited opportunities due to inflexible work, wage gaps, and constrained job options push many women toward subsistence, “survivalist” entrepreneurship. The brief outlines key constraints—**social norms and bias, low education, limited access to affordable finance, and weak networks**—and compiles recommendations to address these social, economic, and technological barriers.
IWWAGE-ISI-BRIEFS
Financial Inclusion and FLFP
- February , 2021
- Ayushi Gupta
India’s rapid economic growth has coincided with a steady decline in women’s labour force participation, despite higher education gains and falling fertility. Recent job stagnation and high unemployment have hit women harder and may worsen with the pandemic. The decline varies by state, with rural areas seeing a sharper fall than urban—though urban women have also become vulnerable during the pandemic because many work in informal, low-wage jobs with limited social protection. While this “growth but falling LFPR” paradox is well-studied, a less explored angle is financial inclusion: despite expansion of formal financial services, women still face a large access gap versus men, especially in South Asia. In India, social norms, low literacy, and limited asset ownership further restrict women’s access to formal finance, limiting their economic and social mobility.
India’s rapid economic growth has coincided with a steady decline in women’s labour force participation, despite higher education gains and falling fertility. Recent job stagnation and high unemployment have hit women harder and may worsen with the pandemic. The decline varies by state, with rural areas seeing a sharper fall than urban—though urban women have also become vulnerable during the pandemic because many work in informal, low-wage jobs with limited social protection. While this “growth but falling LFPR” paradox is well-studied, a less explored angle is financial inclusion: despite expansion of formal financial services, women still face a large access gap versus men, especially in South Asia. In India, social norms, low literacy, and limited asset ownership further restrict women’s access to formal finance, limiting their economic and social mobility.
Learning note
Opportunities for Transformative Financing for Women and Girls
- January , 2021
This paper draws on a pre-budget consultation hosted by IWWAGE and The Quantum Hub (TQH) on 1 October 2020, ‘Transformative financing for Gender Equality in a COVID-19 context’ to inform the Union Budget 2021-22. The aim of the consultation was to identify and amplify the needs of millions of women and girls whose lives have been disrupted and severely affected because of the pandemic, but also account for the disadvantages and inequities that existed even before COVID-19. IWWAGE invited experts1 from academia, civil society, NGOs, and donor bodies, who have been actively advocating for transformative financing for gender equality in India. These experts shared their insights from current and past experiences to shape an actionable agenda to improve the lives of women and girls in the current context. IWWAGE, like some of the experts invited for the consultation, is part of the Broad-Based Committee on Gender Budgeting and Analysis that has been set up by the Ministry for Women and Child Development (MWCD). We used this opportunity to provide suggestions to support the gender responsive budgeting efforts of MWCD and that of other relevant ministries, and also shared these with the Ministry of Finance in response to their request for ideas for Union Budget 2021-22. We also aim to share insights from this consultation among key decision makers, relevant line ministries and departments, and to a wider audience engaged in shaping the agenda on advancing gender equality and women’s economic empowerment in India. This paper has been jointly developed by The Quantum Hub (TQH) and IWWAGE.
This paper draws on a pre-budget consultation hosted by IWWAGE and The Quantum Hub (TQH) on 1 October 2020, ‘Transformative financing for Gender Equality in a COVID-19 context’ to inform the Union Budget 2021-22. The aim of the consultation was to identify and amplify the needs of millions of women and girls whose lives have been disrupted and severely affected because of the pandemic, but also account for the disadvantages and inequities that existed even before COVID-19. IWWAGE invited experts1 from academia, civil society, NGOs, and donor bodies, who have been actively advocating for transformative financing for gender equality in India. These experts shared their insights from current and past experiences to shape an actionable agenda to improve the lives of women and girls in the current context. IWWAGE, like some of the experts invited for the consultation, is part of the Broad-Based Committee on Gender Budgeting and Analysis that has been set up by the Ministry for Women and Child Development (MWCD). We used this opportunity to provide suggestions to support the gender responsive budgeting efforts of MWCD and that of other relevant ministries, and also shared these with the Ministry of Finance in response to their request for ideas for Union Budget 2021-22. We also aim to share insights from this consultation among key decision makers, relevant line ministries and departments, and to a wider audience engaged in shaping the agenda on advancing gender equality and women’s economic empowerment in India. This paper has been jointly developed by The Quantum Hub (TQH) and IWWAGE.
Report
Understanding the Market Landscape and Enterprise Readiness for Women-led Home-based Businesses
- January , 2021
- Rigzom Wangchuk , Mridulya Narasimhan , M P Karthick
Women entrepreneurs contribute to the Indian economy in terms of GDP and employment. Despite this, they face gender specific barriers in labour force participation, such as, market, mobility, time, and credit constraints. These factors have been the driving forces behind the emergence of home-based businesses led by women especially in the informal sector. As a part of IWWAGE’s strategic vision to facilitate women’s economic empowerment through an evidence-based approach, Part 1 of the study aims to map the market landscape for home-based handicraft and handloom enterprises led by women, and assess their readiness. The subsequent study (Part 2) will look to answer critical questions related to credit access, and alternatives to existing credit scoring mechanisms. To capture a granular perspective on the state of market access and supply chain linkages, 800 home-based women entrepreneurs were surveyed across Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. The study sheds light on the need for two approaches when designing policy interventions for improving the market landscape of female entrepreneurs. The first is the need for a facilitative and enabling ecosystem for home-based entrepreneurs because the market landscape itself lacks structure and formality with significant variations across the two states. Second, women entrepreneurs should not be approached as a singular segment but instead, need to be segmented according to their nuanced needs and strengths. A targeted approach through looking at personas or the type of entrepreneurs could be a great beginning. Based on insights from the survey, a diagnostic policy framework Business Readiness Scorecard for Women (WBRS) has been developed to identify priority areas for intervention.
Women entrepreneurs contribute to the Indian economy in terms of GDP and employment. Despite this, they face gender specific barriers in labour force participation, such as, market, mobility, time, and credit constraints. These factors have been the driving forces behind the emergence of home-based businesses led by women especially in the informal sector. As a part of IWWAGE’s strategic vision to facilitate women’s economic empowerment through an evidence-based approach, Part 1 of the study aims to map the market landscape for home-based handicraft and handloom enterprises led by women, and assess their readiness. The subsequent study (Part 2) will look to answer critical questions related to credit access, and alternatives to existing credit scoring mechanisms. To capture a granular perspective on the state of market access and supply chain linkages, 800 home-based women entrepreneurs were surveyed across Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. The study sheds light on the need for two approaches when designing policy interventions for improving the market landscape of female entrepreneurs. The first is the need for a facilitative and enabling ecosystem for home-based entrepreneurs because the market landscape itself lacks structure and formality with significant variations across the two states. Second, women entrepreneurs should not be approached as a singular segment but instead, need to be segmented according to their nuanced needs and strengths. A targeted approach through looking at personas or the type of entrepreneurs could be a great beginning. Based on insights from the survey, a diagnostic policy framework Business Readiness Scorecard for Women (WBRS) has been developed to identify priority areas for intervention.
Report
Impact of COVID-19 on Rural SHG Women in Odisha
- January , 2021
- Kaliat Ammu Sanyal | Sushmita Mukherjee | Biraj Laxmi Sarangi
The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns to curb the virus have had far-reaching impacts globally. The situation in India has been particularly difficult, with the country recording over 8.9 million cases as of November 2020. The nation-wide lockdown announced on 24 March 2020 had devastating effects on millions of people, their livelihoods and income generating activities. Given the scale of the crisis, it becomes imperative to focus on the impacts on already disadvantaged groups, and more specifically, on women and girls. Experiences from past disease outbreaks globally, demonstrate the need for a gendered analysis for preparedness and response. This report presents findings from the study, Impact of COVID-19 on Rural SHG Women in Odisha, conducted by the Initiative for What Works to Advance Women and Girls in the Economy (IWWAGE) and Project Concern International (PCI). The main objectives of this study were to (i) study the overall impacts on women’s well-being during and post the lockdown period, and (ii) understand SHG participation in COVID-19 response activities. Overall, the study demonstrates that rural women in Odisha have had to contend with rising stress and anxiety, loss of income, and an increased load of household work. Concomitantly, the SHG movement has proved to be an immense source of strength and support for women. The report concludes with a set of recommendations to strengthen the SHG platforms and state- run gender initiatives, and to invest in digital tools as these have proved to be a means through which women have kept in touch with family and friends in difficult times.
The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns to curb the virus have had far-reaching impacts globally. The situation in India has been particularly difficult, with the country recording over 8.9 million cases as of November 2020. The nation-wide lockdown announced on 24 March 2020 had devastating effects on millions of people, their livelihoods and income generating activities. Given the scale of the crisis, it becomes imperative to focus on the impacts on already disadvantaged groups, and more specifically, on women and girls. Experiences from past disease outbreaks globally, demonstrate the need for a gendered analysis for preparedness and response. This report presents findings from the study, Impact of COVID-19 on Rural SHG Women in Odisha, conducted by the Initiative for What Works to Advance Women and Girls in the Economy (IWWAGE) and Project Concern International (PCI). The main objectives of this study were to (i) study the overall impacts on women’s well-being during and post the lockdown period, and (ii) understand SHG participation in COVID-19 response activities. Overall, the study demonstrates that rural women in Odisha have had to contend with rising stress and anxiety, loss of income, and an increased load of household work. Concomitantly, the SHG movement has proved to be an immense source of strength and support for women. The report concludes with a set of recommendations to strengthen the SHG platforms and state- run gender initiatives, and to invest in digital tools as these have proved to be a means through which women have kept in touch with family and friends in difficult times.
Report
Women and Work: How India fared in 2020
- January , 2021
- Surbhi Singh , Kanika Jha Kingra , Soumya Kapoor Mehta
Women and girls across the world have been disproportionately affected in the year of the pandemic, not in terms of impact of the virus, but more so socially and economically. While India was rapidly responding to the health crisis, millions of Indians were grappling with the unintended impacts of lockdown measures on the economy and their livelihoods. Even before the onset of COVID-19, India’s female workforce was largely invisible, underpaid, under-protected and constituted largest segment of the informal workforce, which is among the worst-hit this year. But several opportunities exist in 2021 to ensure that India’s women are not left behind in its recovery plans. Against this backdrop, IWWAGE and The Quantum Hub (TQH) authored a report that draws from various studies, data sources and nationally-representative data sets to look at the key trends and policy developments that came to shape and define the lives of women across India in 2020. This report captures key data on economic and social indicators (like female labour force participation, barriers to work and livelihoods, financial inclusion, digital access, skilling, education and violence against women) that played a central role in determining women’s role in the Indian economy this year.
Women and girls across the world have been disproportionately affected in the year of the pandemic, not in terms of impact of the virus, but more so socially and economically. While India was rapidly responding to the health crisis, millions of Indians were grappling with the unintended impacts of lockdown measures on the economy and their livelihoods. Even before the onset of COVID-19, India’s female workforce was largely invisible, underpaid, under-protected and constituted largest segment of the informal workforce, which is among the worst-hit this year. But several opportunities exist in 2021 to ensure that India’s women are not left behind in its recovery plans. Against this backdrop, IWWAGE and The Quantum Hub (TQH) authored a report that draws from various studies, data sources and nationally-representative data sets to look at the key trends and policy developments that came to shape and define the lives of women across India in 2020. This report captures key data on economic and social indicators (like female labour force participation, barriers to work and livelihoods, financial inclusion, digital access, skilling, education and violence against women) that played a central role in determining women’s role in the Indian economy this year.
Report
Strengthening Socio-Economic Rights of Women in the Informal Economy: The SEWA Approach in West Bengal and Jharkhand
- December , 2020
- Ayushi Gupta , Kanika Jha Kingra
Women working in India’s informal sector face several vulnerabilities and are often denied decent working conditions and wages. This further exacerbates inequities and pushes them towards high risk poverty. The situation is worse for women belonging to socially disadvantaged castes and communities. Evidence from India and other contexts shows that the working poor in the informal economy, particularly women, need to organise themselves to overcome the structural disadvantages they face. Organisation gives these otherwise marginalised workers the power of solidarity and a platform to be seen and heard by decision makers with the power to affect their lives. Since 1972, the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) is working as an organisation of poor women workers and a movement to create better alternatives. SEWA is currently operative in many states across the country and has a membership base of nearly 2 million women workers in the informal economy, comprising domestic workers, street vendors, agricultural workers, construction labourers, salt workers, beedi and papad rollers and such other vulnerable categories. SEWA’s programme in Jharkhand and West Bengal aims to increase the collective bargaining strength of women, particularly those working as agricultural workers, domestic workers and construction labourers (in the former state) and female beedi rollers in West Bengal. The programme aims to improve women’s access to and understanding of basic services, such as health and sanitation, and also increase their ability to demand local accountability through nurturing of grassroots leadership. The study tries to understand the impact that various components of its programme have had on informal women workers in Jharkhand and West Bengal. The women included in the study were predominantly engaged in beedi rolling, domestic work, construction work, agriculture and street vending.
Women working in India’s informal sector face several vulnerabilities and are often denied decent working conditions and wages. This further exacerbates inequities and pushes them towards high risk poverty. The situation is worse for women belonging to socially disadvantaged castes and communities. Evidence from India and other contexts shows that the working poor in the informal economy, particularly women, need to organise themselves to overcome the structural disadvantages they face. Organisation gives these otherwise marginalised workers the power of solidarity and a platform to be seen and heard by decision makers with the power to affect their lives. Since 1972, the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) is working as an organisation of poor women workers and a movement to create better alternatives. SEWA is currently operative in many states across the country and has a membership base of nearly 2 million women workers in the informal economy, comprising domestic workers, street vendors, agricultural workers, construction labourers, salt workers, beedi and papad rollers and such other vulnerable categories. SEWA’s programme in Jharkhand and West Bengal aims to increase the collective bargaining strength of women, particularly those working as agricultural workers, domestic workers and construction labourers (in the former state) and female beedi rollers in West Bengal. The programme aims to improve women’s access to and understanding of basic services, such as health and sanitation, and also increase their ability to demand local accountability through nurturing of grassroots leadership. The study tries to understand the impact that various components of its programme have had on informal women workers in Jharkhand and West Bengal. The women included in the study were predominantly engaged in beedi rolling, domestic work, construction work, agriculture and street vending.
Learning note
Making a Gender Responsive Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme
- December , 2020
- Soumya Kapoor Mehta | Aparajita Bharti | Deepro Guha
The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted urban livelihoods in India, with over 21 million salaried jobs lost between April and August 2020. Women, particularly those in the informal sector, faced disproportionate job losses, further compounding their already low participation in the labour force. Sectors employing large numbers of women-such as domestic work, construction, and beauty services-were among the hardest hit. Even in the formal economy, women in temporary or part-time roles were more vulnerable to layoffs and lacked access to social security. The crisis has highlighted the urgent need for an urban employment guarantee programme, akin to MGNREGA, which has shown positive outcomes for women in rural areas. Several states have already taken the lead in pilotig such schemes. These efforts present a crucial opportunity to design gender-responsive urban employment programmes that support women’s livelihoods, build resilience, and boost overall economic recovery.
The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted urban livelihoods in India, with over 21 million salaried jobs lost between April and August 2020. Women, particularly those in the informal sector, faced disproportionate job losses, further compounding their already low participation in the labour force. Sectors employing large numbers of women-such as domestic work, construction, and beauty services-were among the hardest hit. Even in the formal economy, women in temporary or part-time roles were more vulnerable to layoffs and lacked access to social security. The crisis has highlighted the urgent need for an urban employment guarantee programme, akin to MGNREGA, which has shown positive outcomes for women in rural areas. Several states have already taken the lead in pilotig such schemes. These efforts present a crucial opportunity to design gender-responsive urban employment programmes that support women’s livelihoods, build resilience, and boost overall economic recovery.
Brief
Digital Solutions for SHGs in Chhattisgarh – The COVID-19 Pandemic: Project Modifications and Learnings
- December , 2020
Women’s collectives like self-help groups (SHGs) have long played a transformative role in empowering women across India. Building on this potential, IWWAGE an initiative of LEAD at Krea University is partnering with the State Rural Livelihoods Mission (SRLM) Chhattisgarh and Haqdarshak Empowerment Solutions (HESPL) to train SHG members on using the **Haqdarshak** mobile application. This innovative tool helps citizens access information on over 200 central and state government welfare schemes. Trained SHG women, known as *Haqdarshikas*, earn a livelihood by offering doorstep services to their communities, enabling access to welfare entitlements for a small fee. The project adopts a sustainable, entrepreneurial model while enhancing digital literacy and economic participation among rural women. Alongside implementation, IWWAGE and LEAD are conducting an impact and process evaluation of the Haqdarshak model. This includes assessing adaptations made during the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in program delivery for different training cohorts, and evolving evaluation methods. This learning note captures early implementation insights and outlines how the model is evolving to remain effective in changing contexts.
Women’s collectives like self-help groups (SHGs) have long played a transformative role in empowering women across India. Building on this potential, IWWAGE an initiative of LEAD at Krea University is partnering with the State Rural Livelihoods Mission (SRLM) Chhattisgarh and Haqdarshak Empowerment Solutions (HESPL) to train SHG members on using the **Haqdarshak** mobile application. This innovative tool helps citizens access information on over 200 central and state government welfare schemes. Trained SHG women, known as *Haqdarshikas*, earn a livelihood by offering doorstep services to their communities, enabling access to welfare entitlements for a small fee. The project adopts a sustainable, entrepreneurial model while enhancing digital literacy and economic participation among rural women. Alongside implementation, IWWAGE and LEAD are conducting an impact and process evaluation of the Haqdarshak model. This includes assessing adaptations made during the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in program delivery for different training cohorts, and evolving evaluation methods. This learning note captures early implementation insights and outlines how the model is evolving to remain effective in changing contexts.
IWWAGE-ISI-BRIEFS
Women in Agriculture
- December , 2020
Over the past two decades, India has seen a dramatic rise in agricultural mechanisation, particularly through the widespread adoption of tractors. While this technological progress has improved productivity, it has also led to a significant decline in rural farm employment-most notably among women. This study investigates how mechanisation, especially in tilling, has contributed to the fall in female agricultural labour. The analysis finds that a 1 percentage point increase in the mechanisation of tilling operations reduces female labour per hectare by 0.7 per cent. This decline stems largely from a reduction in the need for weeding-an activity traditionally undertaken by women-as tilling quality improves. Between 1999 and 2011, a 32 percentage point rise in mechanisation explains around 22 per cent of the 30 per cent drop in women’s employment in agriculture during the same period. The research underscores that when the production process is sequential and tasks are gendered-as in Indian agriculture-technological change can disproportionately affect women’s livelihoods. Since men have historically undertaken the more power-intensive tasks like deep tilling, they are better positioned to benefit from mechanisation. Meanwhile, women, who perform precision-based tasks such as weeding and sowing, are often displaced. Soil composition also plays a role: regions with loamy soils, which require deeper tilling, are more likely to adopt mechanised tools. These structural dynamics-both technological and environmental-compound the challenges rural women face in maintaining agricultural employment. The findings highlight the need for gender-sensitive policy design that anticipates and mitigates the unintended consequences of agricultural modernisation.
Over the past two decades, India has seen a dramatic rise in agricultural mechanisation, particularly through the widespread adoption of tractors. While this technological progress has improved productivity, it has also led to a significant decline in rural farm employment-most notably among women. This study investigates how mechanisation, especially in tilling, has contributed to the fall in female agricultural labour. The analysis finds that a 1 percentage point increase in the mechanisation of tilling operations reduces female labour per hectare by 0.7 per cent. This decline stems largely from a reduction in the need for weeding-an activity traditionally undertaken by women-as tilling quality improves. Between 1999 and 2011, a 32 percentage point rise in mechanisation explains around 22 per cent of the 30 per cent drop in women’s employment in agriculture during the same period. The research underscores that when the production process is sequential and tasks are gendered-as in Indian agriculture-technological change can disproportionately affect women’s livelihoods. Since men have historically undertaken the more power-intensive tasks like deep tilling, they are better positioned to benefit from mechanisation. Meanwhile, women, who perform precision-based tasks such as weeding and sowing, are often displaced. Soil composition also plays a role: regions with loamy soils, which require deeper tilling, are more likely to adopt mechanised tools. These structural dynamics-both technological and environmental-compound the challenges rural women face in maintaining agricultural employment. The findings highlight the need for gender-sensitive policy design that anticipates and mitigates the unintended consequences of agricultural modernisation.
Working Paper
Working or Not: What Determines Women’s Labour Force Participation in India?
- May , 2021
- Ruchika Chaudhary
This paper delves into the persistent gender gaps in India’s labour market, highlighting the alarming decline in women’s labour force participation despite socio-economic progress. Using data from the Periodic Labour Force Surveys (PLFS) and the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), it examines the key factors contributing to this trend, including the disproportionate burden of unpaid care work. The paper underscores the need for targeted policies, such as vocational training and gender-responsive initiatives, to empower women and break down barriers to their economic participation.
This paper delves into the persistent gender gaps in India’s labour market, highlighting the alarming decline in women’s labour force participation despite socio-economic progress. Using data from the Periodic Labour Force Surveys (PLFS) and the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), it examines the key factors contributing to this trend, including the disproportionate burden of unpaid care work. The paper underscores the need for targeted policies, such as vocational training and gender-responsive initiatives, to empower women and break down barriers to their economic participation.
Brief
A Crisis in Care India’s Ageing Population and the Need for Strengthened Eldercare – Hindi
- September , 2025
The global population is ageing, presenting complex challenges and new opportunities.The policy brief draws on insights from a roundtable discussion that brought together sectoral experts, practitioners, and academics, along with secondary research.The discussion served as a platform to examine the current state of eldercare in India, identify critical gaps, and explore actionable solutions to increase women’s participation in the formal eldercare workforce.
The global population is ageing, presenting complex challenges and new opportunities.The policy brief draws on insights from a roundtable discussion that brought together sectoral experts, practitioners, and academics, along with secondary research.The discussion served as a platform to examine the current state of eldercare in India, identify critical gaps, and explore actionable solutions to increase women’s participation in the formal eldercare workforce.
Brief
A Crisis in Care India’s Ageing
- September , 2025
- Ananya Sharma, Harshita Kumari
The global population is ageing, presenting complex challenges and new opportunities.The policy brief draws on insights from a roundtable discussion that brought together sectoral experts, practitioners, and academics, along with secondary research.The discussion served as a platform to examine the current state of eldercare in India, identify critical gaps, and explore actionable solutions to increase women’s participation in the formal eldercare workforce.
The global population is ageing, presenting complex challenges and new opportunities.The policy brief draws on insights from a roundtable discussion that brought together sectoral experts, practitioners, and academics, along with secondary research.The discussion served as a platform to examine the current state of eldercare in India, identify critical gaps, and explore actionable solutions to increase women’s participation in the formal eldercare workforce.
SWAYAM
Practice Guide for Gender Integration in Livelihoods under DAY-NRLM
- September , 2025
- Shilpa Vasavada | Seema Bhaskaran
This booklet is intended for the livelihoods vertical and serves as a practical, field-focused Guide for teams on integrating gender into livelihoods interventions. Since these interventions include both farm-based and nonfarm- based activities, the booklet addresses each type separately, following a gender-responsive and progressively gender-transformative approach.
This booklet is intended for the livelihoods vertical and serves as a practical, field-focused Guide for teams on integrating gender into livelihoods interventions. Since these interventions include both farm-based and nonfarm- based activities, the booklet addresses each type separately, following a gender-responsive and progressively gender-transformative approach.
Knowledge series
Migration Climate Change and Gender
- July , 2025
- Divya Singh (IWWAGE), Aiman Akhtar (PDAG)
Climate change is altering everyday life and livelihoods across India, and its impacts are not felt equally. Women, particularly those from marginalised and low-income communities, are often the first to absorb the effects of climate shocks, whether through disrupted livelihoods, migration, or the pressures of extreme weather. These experiences are shaped by long-standing social and economic inequalities, making it essential to look beyond sectoral solutions. One of the least visible but most affected areas is the care economy. As climate risks intensify, women’s unpaid and poorly paid care work expands, especially during displacement, crises, and recovery. Care work plays a critical role in helping families and communities cope with climate stress, yet it remains largely invisible within climate policy and planning. Looking at climate change through the lens of care helps reveal two connected dynamics: how climate risks reshape care responsibilities, and how the way care is organised influences resilience and adaptation. Recognising care, valuing women’s unpaid labour, and strengthening care systems are therefore not add-ons, but central to effective climate responses. This series of policy briefs, jointly developed by IWWAGE and PDAG, explores these connections in detail. It examines how care work is shaped by climate-related vulnerabilities, labour transitions, and forced mobility, with close attention to gendered outcomes. The series is part of a broader climate–gender conversation that includes work, migration, governance, and energy transitions, while centring experiences from India and the Global South. Through this initiative, we aim to deepen understanding, inform policy choices, and contribute meaningfully to ongoing discussions on climate change, care, and gender equality.
Climate change is altering everyday life and livelihoods across India, and its impacts are not felt equally. Women, particularly those from marginalised and low-income communities, are often the first to absorb the effects of climate shocks, whether through disrupted livelihoods, migration, or the pressures of extreme weather. These experiences are shaped by long-standing social and economic inequalities, making it essential to look beyond sectoral solutions. One of the least visible but most affected areas is the care economy. As climate risks intensify, women’s unpaid and poorly paid care work expands, especially during displacement, crises, and recovery. Care work plays a critical role in helping families and communities cope with climate stress, yet it remains largely invisible within climate policy and planning. Looking at climate change through the lens of care helps reveal two connected dynamics: how climate risks reshape care responsibilities, and how the way care is organised influences resilience and adaptation. Recognising care, valuing women’s unpaid labour, and strengthening care systems are therefore not add-ons, but central to effective climate responses. This series of policy briefs, jointly developed by IWWAGE and PDAG, explores these connections in detail. It examines how care work is shaped by climate-related vulnerabilities, labour transitions, and forced mobility, with close attention to gendered outcomes. The series is part of a broader climate–gender conversation that includes work, migration, governance, and energy transitions, while centring experiences from India and the Global South. Through this initiative, we aim to deepen understanding, inform policy choices, and contribute meaningfully to ongoing discussions on climate change, care, and gender equality.