Publications
Publications
Category
Year
Brief
Note on IWWAGE Findings
- April , 2019
As part of its commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment, IWWAGE undertook three key studies in 2018 to generate actionable evidence that informs policy and practice. These studies focus on critical areas affecting women’s participation in the workforce and access to support systems: 1. Centre-Based Childcare as a Solution for Maternal Employment and Early Childhood Development This study explores how accessible, affordable, and quality childcare can reduce women’s unpaid care burden, enabling their participation in the labour force, while also enhancing cognitive and socio-emotional development in children under six. The research highlights the need for improved service quality, greater access, and consideration of prevailing social norms in programme design. 2. SHG Digitisation With the expansion of digital services, this study examines the process and impact of digitising Self-Help Groups (SHGs). It assesses how technology can enhance financial inclusion, transparency, and efficiency in SHG operations while also identifying gaps in access and digital literacy among women. 3. Rapid Assessment of the 181 Women’s Helpline Scheme This assessment evaluates the effectiveness of the 181 helpline, a critical support mechanism for women facing violence. It highlights the need for better infrastructure, trained personnel, and integration with other support services to ensure timely and sensitive responses to women in distress. Together, the studies offer valuable insights and underline the importance of strengthening public systems, leveraging technology, and addressing social barriers. IWWAGE continues to advocate for evidence-informed strategies that improve service delivery, promote gender-responsive policies, and enhance women’s access to economic opportunities and support mechanisms.
As part of its commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment, IWWAGE undertook three key studies in 2018 to generate actionable evidence that informs policy and practice. These studies focus on critical areas affecting women’s participation in the workforce and access to support systems: 1. Centre-Based Childcare as a Solution for Maternal Employment and Early Childhood Development This study explores how accessible, affordable, and quality childcare can reduce women’s unpaid care burden, enabling their participation in the labour force, while also enhancing cognitive and socio-emotional development in children under six. The research highlights the need for improved service quality, greater access, and consideration of prevailing social norms in programme design. 2. SHG Digitisation With the expansion of digital services, this study examines the process and impact of digitising Self-Help Groups (SHGs). It assesses how technology can enhance financial inclusion, transparency, and efficiency in SHG operations while also identifying gaps in access and digital literacy among women. 3. Rapid Assessment of the 181 Women’s Helpline Scheme This assessment evaluates the effectiveness of the 181 helpline, a critical support mechanism for women facing violence. It highlights the need for better infrastructure, trained personnel, and integration with other support services to ensure timely and sensitive responses to women in distress. Together, the studies offer valuable insights and underline the importance of strengthening public systems, leveraging technology, and addressing social barriers. IWWAGE continues to advocate for evidence-informed strategies that improve service delivery, promote gender-responsive policies, and enhance women’s access to economic opportunities and support mechanisms.
Brief
Care and Climate Change
- January , 2026
The brief focuses on bridging feminist economics and climate policy, highlighting gendered care burdens, structural undervaluation of reproductive labour, and the need for transformative interventions like care-responsive adaptation and finance.
The brief focuses on bridging feminist economics and climate policy, highlighting gendered care burdens, structural undervaluation of reproductive labour, and the need for transformative interventions like care-responsive adaptation and finance.
Brief
Measuring Women’s Work: Innovations and Obstacles in the Global South
- January , 2026
The brief examined challenges and innovations in capturing women’s paid and unpaid work in labour statistics. Drawing on experiences from India, South Africa, Latin America, and global systems, panelists highlighted how survey design, classifications, and institutional limits determine what is counted, and what remains invisible
The brief examined challenges and innovations in capturing women’s paid and unpaid work in labour statistics. Drawing on experiences from India, South Africa, Latin America, and global systems, panelists highlighted how survey design, classifications, and institutional limits determine what is counted, and what remains invisible
Report Snapshot
The Changing World of Women’s Work
- December , 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
The Changing World of Women’s Work
- December , 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
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.