Publications
Publications
Category
Year
Brief
Learnings from Scoping Visit
- February , 2020
To observe different SHG groups and understand what are the methods adopted by members to produce soaps within groups, and what kinds of production training have the members experienced
To observe different SHG groups and understand what are the methods adopted by members to produce soaps within groups, and what kinds of production training have the members experienced
Learning note
Female Labour Force Participation Rate and Earnings Gap in India
- February , 2020
Despite high economic growth, decline in fertility, and rise in schooling of girls, the Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) in India has declined in rural areas and stagnated in urban areas since the late 1980s. This is contrary to the global experience, where similar factors resulted substantial increase in the FLFPR. The recently released Periodic Labour Force Survey 2017-18 confirms the declining trend and shows FLFPR declined in all states with the exception of Madhya Pradesh and Goa. Women’s engagement in unpaid work is high in rural areas and while a majority of women are employed in regular wage work in urban areas, there are substantial wage differentials between men and women, most of the regular work of women is in the informal sector, and non-wage benefits are poor.
Despite high economic growth, decline in fertility, and rise in schooling of girls, the Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) in India has declined in rural areas and stagnated in urban areas since the late 1980s. This is contrary to the global experience, where similar factors resulted substantial increase in the FLFPR. The recently released Periodic Labour Force Survey 2017-18 confirms the declining trend and shows FLFPR declined in all states with the exception of Madhya Pradesh and Goa. Women’s engagement in unpaid work is high in rural areas and while a majority of women are employed in regular wage work in urban areas, there are substantial wage differentials between men and women, most of the regular work of women is in the informal sector, and non-wage benefits are poor.
Learning note
Women in Manufacturing
- February , 2020
This factsheet is drawn from an IWWAGE-ISI study that seeks to examine the profile and background of women workers in contemporary industrial and urban landscapes – the kinds of opportunities available, barriers to participation, and aspirations and expectations from industrial employment. The study uses data collected from a survey of garment factory workers in Delhi-NCR. The data is supplemented with more detailed information on current or aspiring women workers obtained through focus group discussions and interviews with women workers, and interviews with factory owners/managers, labour contractors, and so on. Possible interventions to enhance women’s economic empowerment in manufacturing would be systematically tested.
This factsheet is drawn from an IWWAGE-ISI study that seeks to examine the profile and background of women workers in contemporary industrial and urban landscapes – the kinds of opportunities available, barriers to participation, and aspirations and expectations from industrial employment. The study uses data collected from a survey of garment factory workers in Delhi-NCR. The data is supplemented with more detailed information on current or aspiring women workers obtained through focus group discussions and interviews with women workers, and interviews with factory owners/managers, labour contractors, and so on. Possible interventions to enhance women’s economic empowerment in manufacturing would be systematically tested.
Learning note
Testing Approaches to Strengthen Gender within NRLM
- January , 2020
With over 60 million women mobilised to be part of one of India’s largest livelihoods programme, the Deendayal Antayodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), holds great promise for advancing women’s socio-economic empowerment by organising them into self-help groups (SHGs) and institutions of the rural poor. These platforms are facilitating financial opportunities and livelihood support services for women. The livelihoods programme works exclusively with rural women, and a critical element for its success has been the mission’s commitment towards prioritising women’s perspectives and being responsive to their needs and aspirations. This approach has been embedded across all DAY-NRLM activities with the goal of strengthening women’s agency, identity, well-being, and solidarity, through women’s collectivisation. NRLM believes that gender sensitisation and social action should be mainstreamed in its framework, systems, institutions and processes. To this end, it devised a Gender Operational Strategy in financial year 2019-20 committing actions that recognise women’s heterogeneity and the unique socio-economic barriers faced by them. Through Swayam, IWWAGE is partnering with DAY-NRLM to provide technical assistance to support this strategy and institutionalise gender across all levels of the Mission. The note gives a snapshot on the approaches to strengthen gender interventions by NRLM.
With over 60 million women mobilised to be part of one of India’s largest livelihoods programme, the Deendayal Antayodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), holds great promise for advancing women’s socio-economic empowerment by organising them into self-help groups (SHGs) and institutions of the rural poor. These platforms are facilitating financial opportunities and livelihood support services for women. The livelihoods programme works exclusively with rural women, and a critical element for its success has been the mission’s commitment towards prioritising women’s perspectives and being responsive to their needs and aspirations. This approach has been embedded across all DAY-NRLM activities with the goal of strengthening women’s agency, identity, well-being, and solidarity, through women’s collectivisation. NRLM believes that gender sensitisation and social action should be mainstreamed in its framework, systems, institutions and processes. To this end, it devised a Gender Operational Strategy in financial year 2019-20 committing actions that recognise women’s heterogeneity and the unique socio-economic barriers faced by them. Through Swayam, IWWAGE is partnering with DAY-NRLM to provide technical assistance to support this strategy and institutionalise gender across all levels of the Mission. The note gives a snapshot on the approaches to strengthen gender interventions by NRLM.
Report
Empowering Women Collectives through Digital Initiatives in Chhattisgarh
- January , 2020
Digital tools offer immense potential for accelerating women’s empowerment, enhancing the impact of ongoing initiatives, and providing women with new avenues to improve knowledge and share information. Over the past year, the Initiative of What Works to Advance Women and Girls in the Economy (IWWAGE), part of LEAD at Krea University, has been collaborating with the Government of Chhattisgarh and other partners to map existing digitisation initiatives aimed at empowering women in the state, evaluate their effectiveness, and explore opportunities for improvement. Many of these initiatives are centred around Self-Help Groups (SHGs), which play a key role in empowering women through social mobilisation and financial inclusion. In Chhattisgarh, the SHG ecosystem is managed by the state chapter of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM), known locally as Bihan. Established in 2012, Bihan serves as a Self-Help Promoting Agency (SHPA), working to strengthen women’s collectives by improving financial and market linkages, promoting access to entitlements, and providing capacity-building support. Additionally, non-governmental SHPAs like PRADAN are active in supporting women’s empowerment in the state. IWWAGE is supporting Bihan’s efforts to enhance the SHG ecosystem by promoting and testing digital solutions that enable women’s collectives to access markets and services more effectively. This initiative focuses on summarising the current digitisation efforts, identifying existing gaps and barriers, and proposing innovative use cases to further drive women’s empowerment in Chhattisgarh.
Digital tools offer immense potential for accelerating women’s empowerment, enhancing the impact of ongoing initiatives, and providing women with new avenues to improve knowledge and share information. Over the past year, the Initiative of What Works to Advance Women and Girls in the Economy (IWWAGE), part of LEAD at Krea University, has been collaborating with the Government of Chhattisgarh and other partners to map existing digitisation initiatives aimed at empowering women in the state, evaluate their effectiveness, and explore opportunities for improvement. Many of these initiatives are centred around Self-Help Groups (SHGs), which play a key role in empowering women through social mobilisation and financial inclusion. In Chhattisgarh, the SHG ecosystem is managed by the state chapter of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM), known locally as Bihan. Established in 2012, Bihan serves as a Self-Help Promoting Agency (SHPA), working to strengthen women’s collectives by improving financial and market linkages, promoting access to entitlements, and providing capacity-building support. Additionally, non-governmental SHPAs like PRADAN are active in supporting women’s empowerment in the state. IWWAGE is supporting Bihan’s efforts to enhance the SHG ecosystem by promoting and testing digital solutions that enable women’s collectives to access markets and services more effectively. This initiative focuses on summarising the current digitisation efforts, identifying existing gaps and barriers, and proposing innovative use cases to further drive women’s empowerment in Chhattisgarh.
Brief
Digital Solutions to Unlock the Potential of SHGs and their Federations
- January , 2020
IWWAGE – an initiative of LEAD at Krea University– in partnership with the State Rural Livelihoods Mission (SRLM) Chhattisgarh and Haqdarshak Empowerment Solutions, is implementing a project that trains women self-help group (SHG) members as Haqdarshikas to provide doorstep access to government welfare schemes using a mobile app, Haqdarshak. A survey of 411 Haqdarshikas conducted in late 2020 revealed that while many continued to support their communities, a large number had stopped using the app, citing issues such as smartphone access, digital literacy, and low demand for services. Despite challenges, 97% of respondents reported earning income through paid work, and most remained engaged in the program, motivated by community recognition, learning, and income opportunities. The study highlights both the potential and challenges of leveraging SHG women as digital agents for last-mile delivery of entitlements and offers insights for improving retention, support, and impact of such models.
IWWAGE – an initiative of LEAD at Krea University– in partnership with the State Rural Livelihoods Mission (SRLM) Chhattisgarh and Haqdarshak Empowerment Solutions, is implementing a project that trains women self-help group (SHG) members as Haqdarshikas to provide doorstep access to government welfare schemes using a mobile app, Haqdarshak. A survey of 411 Haqdarshikas conducted in late 2020 revealed that while many continued to support their communities, a large number had stopped using the app, citing issues such as smartphone access, digital literacy, and low demand for services. Despite challenges, 97% of respondents reported earning income through paid work, and most remained engaged in the program, motivated by community recognition, learning, and income opportunities. The study highlights both the potential and challenges of leveraging SHG women as digital agents for last-mile delivery of entitlements and offers insights for improving retention, support, and impact of such models.
Learning note
Women and Unpaid Work
- November , 2019
The methodology involves assessing the causal effect of switching to LPG on women’s outcomes by construction of a comparison group of households that are not eligible for or did not participate in PMUY. The study uses self-reported health status, and a time-use survey of women to measure the effect of LPG usage on time released for other activities. The results from this exercise would be used to design an experiment wherein information on long-term health benefits of LPG usage and the financial incentive under PMUY would be disseminated in randomly selected villages. This would be conducted by Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers by visiting randomly sampled households in treatment villages on a monthly basis, and responses of women in targeted villages would be compared with those of other women at the end of a year. The study is being conducted in Indore region of Madhya Pradesh.
The methodology involves assessing the causal effect of switching to LPG on women’s outcomes by construction of a comparison group of households that are not eligible for or did not participate in PMUY. The study uses self-reported health status, and a time-use survey of women to measure the effect of LPG usage on time released for other activities. The results from this exercise would be used to design an experiment wherein information on long-term health benefits of LPG usage and the financial incentive under PMUY would be disseminated in randomly selected villages. This would be conducted by Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers by visiting randomly sampled households in treatment villages on a monthly basis, and responses of women in targeted villages would be compared with those of other women at the end of a year. The study is being conducted in Indore region of Madhya Pradesh.
Learning note
Women in Agriculture
- November , 2019
This factsheet presents insights from an IWWAGE and Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) study exploring the impact of structural transformation in agriculture on female employment, with a focus on women farm managers. Using data from the India Human Development Survey (2004-05, 2011-12), the study examines the rise in female farm management, its demographic variations, and key differences between households managed by men and those managed by women. The findings aim to shed light on the evolving role of women in agriculture and its implications for employment.
This factsheet presents insights from an IWWAGE and Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) study exploring the impact of structural transformation in agriculture on female employment, with a focus on women farm managers. Using data from the India Human Development Survey (2004-05, 2011-12), the study examines the rise in female farm management, its demographic variations, and key differences between households managed by men and those managed by women. The findings aim to shed light on the evolving role of women in agriculture and its implications for employment.
Report
Digitisation of Self-Help Groups in India
- August , 2019
- Sharon Buteau | Jithin Jose | Kriti Chouhan
Self Help Groups (SHGs) have become essential for empowering women in India. Digitisation of SHG processes can streamline operations, addressing challenges like inefficient monitoring, data fragmentation, and capacity-building gaps. The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) and its state chapters have made significant progress in this area. This report provides an assessment and roadmap for State Rural Livelihoods Missions (SRLMs) to digitise SHG processes effectively. It highlights current initiatives, identifies gaps, and suggests ways to address them. While Management Information Systems (MIS) have been digitised to some extent, many SRLMs face challenges such as resource shortages and limited IT capabilities, which hinder progress. Additionally, SHGs often lack clarity on the benefits of digitisation, leading to low community ownership. Most programmes rely on manual data entry, with few using digital tools at the ground level. SHG members and stakeholders beyond SRLMs and banks have limited access to the data. Improved data quality and use are essential for better financial outcomes for SHGs. Digital linkages for livelihoods and markets are underdeveloped, with innovations remaining small and context-dependent. Additionally, digital platforms for learning are underutilised due to limited smartphone and internet access in rural areas. The success of digitisation initiatives depends on partnerships between implementing agencies and Technology Service Providers (TSPs). Flexible models, like those seen in Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand, offer promising examples for the future. Addressing these challenges will be crucial for the long-term success and sustainability of SHG digitisation efforts.
Self Help Groups (SHGs) have become essential for empowering women in India. Digitisation of SHG processes can streamline operations, addressing challenges like inefficient monitoring, data fragmentation, and capacity-building gaps. The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) and its state chapters have made significant progress in this area. This report provides an assessment and roadmap for State Rural Livelihoods Missions (SRLMs) to digitise SHG processes effectively. It highlights current initiatives, identifies gaps, and suggests ways to address them. While Management Information Systems (MIS) have been digitised to some extent, many SRLMs face challenges such as resource shortages and limited IT capabilities, which hinder progress. Additionally, SHGs often lack clarity on the benefits of digitisation, leading to low community ownership. Most programmes rely on manual data entry, with few using digital tools at the ground level. SHG members and stakeholders beyond SRLMs and banks have limited access to the data. Improved data quality and use are essential for better financial outcomes for SHGs. Digital linkages for livelihoods and markets are underdeveloped, with innovations remaining small and context-dependent. Additionally, digital platforms for learning are underutilised due to limited smartphone and internet access in rural areas. The success of digitisation initiatives depends on partnerships between implementing agencies and Technology Service Providers (TSPs). Flexible models, like those seen in Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand, offer promising examples for the future. Addressing these challenges will be crucial for the long-term success and sustainability of SHG digitisation efforts.
Working Paper
Identifying Gaps in Gender Statistics In India
- June , 2019
- Shiney Chakraborthy, Ruchika Chaudhary
Women are key agents of change, and a move towards gender equality translates into increased economic empowerment for women; it also brings greater benefits for the society at large. As pointed out by McKinsey Global Institute, the economic impact of achieving gender equality in India is estimated to be US$700 billion of added Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2025. But achieving gender equality necessitates measures to correct for existing disadvantages that prevent women from accessing productive opportunities. Gender data play an important role in this regard. This study is an attempt to outline the existing gaps in available official data sources in India. The study has identified data gaps in key domains of women’s empowerment, namely, employment and wages, ownership of assets, access to basic amenities, financial inclusion, health, education, access to digital platforms, participation in decision making, and crime and violence, etc. The study highlights the need for more regular surveys on employment and wages, and time use surveys to better capture women’s paid and unpaid work, and also time spent on different unpaid activities. A multi-causal approach to data collection on migration, on earnings of the self-employed as well as on ownership and management of assets and businesses, at the individual level, is also recommended. Besides, a cohort study of young women, behavioural aspects, norms and opinions around women’s work, as well as data on mental health, learning outcomes, violence and individual access to digital resources, would provide a range of measures to investigate the issue of women’s empowerment.
Women are key agents of change, and a move towards gender equality translates into increased economic empowerment for women; it also brings greater benefits for the society at large. As pointed out by McKinsey Global Institute, the economic impact of achieving gender equality in India is estimated to be US$700 billion of added Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2025. But achieving gender equality necessitates measures to correct for existing disadvantages that prevent women from accessing productive opportunities. Gender data play an important role in this regard. This study is an attempt to outline the existing gaps in available official data sources in India. The study has identified data gaps in key domains of women’s empowerment, namely, employment and wages, ownership of assets, access to basic amenities, financial inclusion, health, education, access to digital platforms, participation in decision making, and crime and violence, etc. The study highlights the need for more regular surveys on employment and wages, and time use surveys to better capture women’s paid and unpaid work, and also time spent on different unpaid activities. A multi-causal approach to data collection on migration, on earnings of the self-employed as well as on ownership and management of assets and businesses, at the individual level, is also recommended. Besides, a cohort study of young women, behavioural aspects, norms and opinions around women’s work, as well as data on mental health, learning outcomes, violence and individual access to digital resources, would provide a range of measures to investigate the issue of women’s empowerment.
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 Bidisha 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.
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.
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.