Publications
Publications
Category
Year
Brief
Women’s Employment Within an Entrepreneurship Model
- April , 2019
To advance conversations around women’s employment and entrepreneurship, IWWAGE and the Institute of Social Studies Trust (ISST) co-hosted a roundtable on January 21, 2019 at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The dialogue was set against the backdrop of the NITI Aayog’s strategy document ‘Strategy for New India @75′, which identifies low female labour force participation as a key barrier to economic growth and proposes promoting entrepreneurship among women as a strategic solution. The roundtable brought together academics, practitioners, researchers, and corporate representatives to deliberate on how entrepreneurship models can be better aligned with women’s employment needs. Discussions underscored the need for capacity building of women’s collectives, access to affordable credit, and improved market linkages. Participants highlighted that entrepreneurship is often viewed as a coping mechanism rather than a career path, especially among younger women who aspire to formal employment. Key barriers-such as limited access to institutional finance, absence of adequate support services, and disconnects between skills training and employment aspirations-were explored. The importance of unpaid care work, safety at workplaces, and the heterogeneity of women’s needs were also emphasised in shaping inclusive entrepreneurship strategies. The event concluded with a call to develop a broad position paper on women’s entrepreneurship, and to foster partnerships with states and private sector players. There was consensus on the need for holistic macroeconomic strategies that position entrepreneurship within the larger context of women’s employment in India.
To advance conversations around women’s employment and entrepreneurship, IWWAGE and the Institute of Social Studies Trust (ISST) co-hosted a roundtable on January 21, 2019 at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The dialogue was set against the backdrop of the NITI Aayog’s strategy document ‘Strategy for New India @75′, which identifies low female labour force participation as a key barrier to economic growth and proposes promoting entrepreneurship among women as a strategic solution. The roundtable brought together academics, practitioners, researchers, and corporate representatives to deliberate on how entrepreneurship models can be better aligned with women’s employment needs. Discussions underscored the need for capacity building of women’s collectives, access to affordable credit, and improved market linkages. Participants highlighted that entrepreneurship is often viewed as a coping mechanism rather than a career path, especially among younger women who aspire to formal employment. Key barriers-such as limited access to institutional finance, absence of adequate support services, and disconnects between skills training and employment aspirations-were explored. The importance of unpaid care work, safety at workplaces, and the heterogeneity of women’s needs were also emphasised in shaping inclusive entrepreneurship strategies. The event concluded with a call to develop a broad position paper on women’s entrepreneurship, and to foster partnerships with states and private sector players. There was consensus on the need for holistic macroeconomic strategies that position entrepreneurship within the larger context of women’s employment in India.
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.
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.
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.