Publications
Publications
Category
Year
Report
Generating Female Employment through Public Employment: A Scoping Paper
- February , 2020
- Dipa Sinha, Jayati Ghosh, Mohini Gupta, Varsha Gupta
The employment generating potential of growth in India has been on the decline with unemployment and the lack of new job opportunities at their peak. According to the data put together by the State of Working India 2018, the relationship between growth and employment generation in India has weakened over time. A related puzzle is that of declining female workforce participation rates in the country, despite increasing education levels as well as economic growth. A major concern for the direction and pace of economic growth is how work and labour force participation rates of women can be improved. Employment in the government, especially in public services delivery, is a potential area where jobs can be created. An emphasis on creating work opportunities for women in public administration and frontline public services can serve the dual purpose of providing universal access to quality public services and reviving demand in the economy. IWWAGE study, Generating Female Employment through Public Employment aims to estimate the impact of creating and regularising jobs for women within the system of public administration, especially in frontline public services delivery. It considers questions on the activities and working conditions of women workers in frontline public services, assesses the number of such workers, and compares them with international estimates. The study also evaluates whether there is gender stereotyping in certain public sector jobs. Additionally, the study captures women’s perceptions of the benefits and constraints of being employed in such jobs. This scoping paper presents the current status of women employed in various levels by the government, based on data from the National Sample Survey (NSS), analysis of government reports, publications, and responses to queries raised using the Right to Information (RTI).
The employment generating potential of growth in India has been on the decline with unemployment and the lack of new job opportunities at their peak. According to the data put together by the State of Working India 2018, the relationship between growth and employment generation in India has weakened over time. A related puzzle is that of declining female workforce participation rates in the country, despite increasing education levels as well as economic growth. A major concern for the direction and pace of economic growth is how work and labour force participation rates of women can be improved. Employment in the government, especially in public services delivery, is a potential area where jobs can be created. An emphasis on creating work opportunities for women in public administration and frontline public services can serve the dual purpose of providing universal access to quality public services and reviving demand in the economy. IWWAGE study, Generating Female Employment through Public Employment aims to estimate the impact of creating and regularising jobs for women within the system of public administration, especially in frontline public services delivery. It considers questions on the activities and working conditions of women workers in frontline public services, assesses the number of such workers, and compares them with international estimates. The study also evaluates whether there is gender stereotyping in certain public sector jobs. Additionally, the study captures women’s perceptions of the benefits and constraints of being employed in such jobs. This scoping paper presents the current status of women employed in various levels by the government, based on data from the National Sample Survey (NSS), analysis of government reports, publications, and responses to queries raised using the Right to Information (RTI).
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.
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.
Factsheet
Trends in Female Labour Force Participation in Meghalaya
- August , 2026
- Nabankur Huda, Bidisha Mondal
Meghalaya is a small, hilly state in north-east India with a predominantly rural, agrarian economy and one of the country’s most distinctive social structures. The factsheet explores the trends, opportunities and challenges shaping women’s participation in Meghalaya’s labour market, with a focus on how the state’s social structure and economic transformation influence the nature and quality of women’s work.
Meghalaya is a small, hilly state in north-east India with a predominantly rural, agrarian economy and one of the country’s most distinctive social structures. The factsheet explores the trends, opportunities and challenges shaping women’s participation in Meghalaya’s labour market, with a focus on how the state’s social structure and economic transformation influence the nature and quality of women’s work.
Factsheet
Trends in Female Labour Force Participation in Andhra Pradesh
- August , 2026
- Arpita Paul, Bidisha Mondal
Andhra Pradesh, traditionally an agriculture-based economy, is increasingly transitioning toward manufacturing and services. This factsheet analyses trends in female labour force participation in Andhra Pradesh between 2022 and 2025 using data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS). It examines changes in labour force participation and employment rates, employment status, sectoral and occupational distribution, job quality, and the barriers that continue to influence women’s participation in the labour market.
Andhra Pradesh, traditionally an agriculture-based economy, is increasingly transitioning toward manufacturing and services. This factsheet analyses trends in female labour force participation in Andhra Pradesh between 2022 and 2025 using data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS). It examines changes in labour force participation and employment rates, employment status, sectoral and occupational distribution, job quality, and the barriers that continue to influence women’s participation in the labour market.
Factsheet
Trends in Female Labour Force Participation in Jharkhand
- July , 2026
Female labour force participation in Jharkhand has historically remained below the national average. Overall, the literature highlights an employment structure characterised by informality, sectoral concentration, and limited diversification, particularly for women. This factsheet examines the evolving patterns of female labour force participation in Jharkhand, focusing on sectoral distribution, employment status, occupational structure, and the structural barriers shaping women’s engagement in the workforce
Female labour force participation in Jharkhand has historically remained below the national average. Overall, the literature highlights an employment structure characterised by informality, sectoral concentration, and limited diversification, particularly for women. This factsheet examines the evolving patterns of female labour force participation in Jharkhand, focusing on sectoral distribution, employment status, occupational structure, and the structural barriers shaping women’s engagement in the workforce
Factsheet
Trend in Female Labour Force Participation in India
- June , 2026
- Vidhi Singh | Bidisha Mondal
India’s labour market continues to show a marked structural imbalance in female workforce participation, even amid sustained economic growth since liberalisation. This factsheet examines recent trends in women’s labour market participation in India, focusing on sectoral distribution, employment status, occupational patterns, and the quality of employment.
India’s labour market continues to show a marked structural imbalance in female workforce participation, even amid sustained economic growth since liberalisation. This factsheet examines recent trends in women’s labour market participation in India, focusing on sectoral distribution, employment status, occupational patterns, and the quality of employment.
SWAYAM
Nayi Chetna 3.0 Assessment Report
- April , 2026
- Surabhi Awasthi | Arpita Paul | Alpaxee Kashyap | Moumita Sarkar
The National Gender Campaign – Nayi Chetna 3.0, implemented under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM), represents effort to institutionalise gender equality and address gender-based violence (GBV) through a community-driven, convergent approach. The report highlights the campaign’s scale and innovation- over 13 lakh activities reaching crores of people nationwide alongside new pathways of engagement with adolescents, youth and men and stronger convergence across departments and community institutions.
The National Gender Campaign – Nayi Chetna 3.0, implemented under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM), represents effort to institutionalise gender equality and address gender-based violence (GBV) through a community-driven, convergent approach. The report highlights the campaign’s scale and innovation- over 13 lakh activities reaching crores of people nationwide alongside new pathways of engagement with adolescents, youth and men and stronger convergence across departments and community institutions.
Brief
Menstrual and Menopausal Health at Work in India
- February , 2026
- Arundati Muralidharan, Aditi Vyas, Sharati Roy, Vidhi Singh
This policy brief highlights that menstrual and menopausal health are not temporary issues but lifelong realities that significantly affect women’s dignity, wellbeing, and participation in the workforce. Despite rising female labour force participation, workplace support for menstrual and menopausal health remains limited, particularly for women in the informal sector. The brief calls for inclusive workplace policies, stronger social protection, and greater awareness to ensure women can work with dignity and access the support they need throughout their lives.
This policy brief highlights that menstrual and menopausal health are not temporary issues but lifelong realities that significantly affect women’s dignity, wellbeing, and participation in the workforce. Despite rising female labour force participation, workplace support for menstrual and menopausal health remains limited, particularly for women in the informal sector. The brief calls for inclusive workplace policies, stronger social protection, and greater awareness to ensure women can work with dignity and access the support they need throughout their lives.