Chhattisgarh records a significantly higher female labour force participation rate than the national average, particularly in rural areas, with rising women’s participation evident since before 2016. Tribal women participate in the labour market at much higher rates than non-tribal women, but most are engaged in self-employment, with a large share working as unpaid family workers. While schemes such as Mahila Kosh and the National Rural Livelihoods Mission aim to promote women’s financial independence, the dominance of unpaid work highlights the need for a deeper examination of labour market conditions and opportunities for women in the state.
Publications
Publications
Category
Year
Factsheet
Trend in Female Labour Force Participation in Chhattisgarh
- April , 2025
- Aneek Choudhary and Bidisha Mondal
Chhattisgarh records a significantly higher female labour force participation rate than the national average, particularly in rural areas, with rising women’s participation evident since before 2016. Tribal women participate in the labour market at much higher rates than non-tribal women, but most are engaged in self-employment, with a large share working as unpaid family workers. While schemes such as Mahila Kosh and the National Rural Livelihoods Mission aim to promote women’s financial independence, the dominance of unpaid work highlights the need for a deeper examination of labour market conditions and opportunities for women in the state.
Chhattisgarh records a significantly higher female labour force participation rate than the national average, particularly in rural areas, with rising women’s participation evident since before 2016. Tribal women participate in the labour market at much higher rates than non-tribal women, but most are engaged in self-employment, with a large share working as unpaid family workers. While schemes such as Mahila Kosh and the National Rural Livelihoods Mission aim to promote women’s financial independence, the dominance of unpaid work highlights the need for a deeper examination of labour market conditions and opportunities for women in the state.
Factsheet
Trends in Female Labour Force Participation in Assam
- April , 2025
- Aneek Choudhary, Vidhi and Bidisha Mondal
Assam has seen a notable rise in female labour force participation since 2021–22, exceeding the national average. However, data for 2022–23 shows an unusually wide gender gap and the lowest recorded female participation, largely due to an NSSO enumeration error that led to underreporting. In recent years, the state has introduced several pro-women initiatives focused on self-employment, skill development, and access to credit, which are expected to support higher female participation. Updated PLFS data will provide a clearer picture of emerging trends in women’s employment in Assam.
Assam has seen a notable rise in female labour force participation since 2021–22, exceeding the national average. However, data for 2022–23 shows an unusually wide gender gap and the lowest recorded female participation, largely due to an NSSO enumeration error that led to underreporting. In recent years, the state has introduced several pro-women initiatives focused on self-employment, skill development, and access to credit, which are expected to support higher female participation. Updated PLFS data will provide a clearer picture of emerging trends in women’s employment in Assam.
Assam has seen a notable rise in female labour force participation since 2021–22, exceeding the national average. However, data for 2022–23 shows an unusually wide gender gap and the lowest recorded female participation, largely due to an NSSO enumeration error that led to underreporting. In recent years, the state has introduced several pro-women initiatives focused on self-employment, skill development, and access to credit, which are expected to support higher female participation. Updated PLFS data will provide a clearer picture of emerging trends in women’s employment in Assam.
Factsheet
Trend In Female Labour Force and Workforce Participation- Telangana
- April , 2025
- Vidhi and Bidisha Mondal
Telangana has emerged as a major industrial and services-led economy, with GSDP growing nearly 197% between 2014–15 and 2023–24. Services contribute about two-thirds of GSVA, while industry has achieved near gender parity in employment due to targeted policy interventions. Agriculture remains a key employer, engaging 45.8% of the population but contributing a smaller share to GSDP. Women are largely concentrated in agriculture, while men dominate services. This factsheet examines trends in female labour force participation in Telangana from 2017–18 to 2023–24, focusing on sectoral distribution, occupational segregation, and workforce barriers.
Telangana has emerged as a major industrial and services-led economy, with GSDP growing nearly 197% between 2014–15 and 2023–24. Services contribute about two-thirds of GSVA, while industry has achieved near gender parity in employment due to targeted policy interventions. Agriculture remains a key employer, engaging 45.8% of the population but contributing a smaller share to GSDP. Women are largely concentrated in agriculture, while men dominate services. This factsheet examines trends in female labour force participation in Telangana from 2017–18 to 2023–24, focusing on sectoral distribution, occupational segregation, and workforce barriers.
Telangana has emerged as a major industrial and services-led economy, with GSDP growing nearly 197% between 2014–15 and 2023–24. Services contribute about two-thirds of GSVA, while industry has achieved near gender parity in employment due to targeted policy interventions. Agriculture remains a key employer, engaging 45.8% of the population but contributing a smaller share to GSDP. Women are largely concentrated in agriculture, while men dominate services. This factsheet examines trends in female labour force participation in Telangana from 2017–18 to 2023–24, focusing on sectoral distribution, occupational segregation, and workforce barriers.
Factsheet
Trends in Female Labour and Workforce Participation- Meghalaya
- April , 2025
- Aneek Chowdhury, Bidisha Mondal
Meghalaya’s FLFPR is significantly higher than the average for India and many other states. Although the proportion of self-employed women has risen in both rural and urban areas, the overwhelming majority (over 75 per cent) are own-account workers. The report highlights the Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) in Meghalaya compared to other states in the country and delve into the specific data and factors influencing this FLFPR.
Meghalaya’s FLFPR is significantly higher than the average for India and many other states. Although the proportion of self-employed women has risen in both rural and urban areas, the overwhelming majority (over 75 per cent) are own-account workers. The report highlights the Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) in Meghalaya compared to other states in the country and delve into the specific data and factors influencing this FLFPR.
Factsheet
Trends in Female Labour and Workforce Participation – Chhattisgarh
- April , 2025
- Aneek Choudhary
Chhattisgarh records significantly higher female labour force participation than the national average (60% vs 42% in PLFS 2023–24), driven mainly by increased involvement of women in agriculture and allied activities since 2016. However, much of this work remains informal, with high shares of self-employment and unpaid family labour (91% in PLFS 2023–24). While schemes like the Mahila Cash and National Rural Livelihoods Mission have expanded women’s self-help groups, these patterns point to the need for deeper analysis of job quality, labour conditions, and meaningful economic opportunities for women in the state.
Chhattisgarh records significantly higher female labour force participation than the national average (60% vs 42% in PLFS 2023–24), driven mainly by increased involvement of women in agriculture and allied activities since 2016. However, much of this work remains informal, with high shares of self-employment and unpaid family labour (91% in PLFS 2023–24). While schemes like the Mahila Cash and National Rural Livelihoods Mission have expanded women’s self-help groups, these patterns point to the need for deeper analysis of job quality, labour conditions, and meaningful economic opportunities for women in the state.
Chhattisgarh records significantly higher female labour force participation than the national average (60% vs 42% in PLFS 2023–24), driven mainly by increased involvement of women in agriculture and allied activities since 2016. However, much of this work remains informal, with high shares of self-employment and unpaid family labour (91% in PLFS 2023–24). While schemes like the Mahila Cash and National Rural Livelihoods Mission have expanded women’s self-help groups, these patterns point to the need for deeper analysis of job quality, labour conditions, and meaningful economic opportunities for women in the state.
Factsheet
Trends in Female Labour and Workforce Participation – Tamil Nadu
- March , 2025
- Aneek Choudhary, Bidisha Mondal
This factsheet highlights Tamil Nadu’s strong female labor force participation, surpassing the national average, supported by key initiatives like Pudhumai Penn and the Thozhi hostel programme. It explores how these schemes have boosted women’s employment in both urban manufacturing and rural agriculture, drawing insights from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS).
This factsheet highlights Tamil Nadu’s strong female labor force participation, surpassing the national average, supported by key initiatives like Pudhumai Penn and the Thozhi hostel programme. It explores how these schemes have boosted women’s employment in both urban manufacturing and rural agriculture, drawing insights from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS).
This factsheet highlights Tamil Nadu’s strong female labor force participation, surpassing the national average, supported by key initiatives like Pudhumai Penn and the Thozhi hostel programme. It explores how these schemes have boosted women’s employment in both urban manufacturing and rural agriculture, drawing insights from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS).
Newsletter (Gender In Focus)
Gender in Focus
- January , 2025
- IWWAGE
This issue offers a preview of IWWAGE’s work during the pandemic—field voices from discussions with civil society partners in four states, reflections on how physical distancing may affect SHG functioning, and analysis on how recovery strategies must account for women’s employment and labour participation. It also captures highlights from webinars, and introduces a new series of policy notes with timely recommendations to support a more resilient and gender-responsive post-COVID world.
This issue offers a preview of IWWAGE’s work during the pandemic—field voices from discussions with civil society partners in four states, reflections on how physical distancing may affect SHG functioning, and analysis on how recovery strategies must account for women’s employment and labour participation. It also captures highlights from webinars, and introduces a new series of policy notes with timely recommendations to support a more resilient and gender-responsive post-COVID world.
Brief
Understanding the Needs of Self-Employed Women in India
- January , 2025
- Prakriti Sharma, Vidhi
Insights from the IWWAGE and Institute for Human Development’s panel at the 65th ISLE Conference
Women’s entrepreneurship faces distinct gendered challenges, as unpaid work and domestic responsibilities significantly constrain their ability to scale up and expand their economic activities. This also tends to contribute to a persistent gender gap in the quality and outcomes of work, as most women are relegated to the periphery of entrepreneurship, earning little to no income from their contributions to household enterprises. Hence, since most of these activities are carried out from home and intertwined with household responsibilities, they must be understood not only in terms of economic contribution but within the broader framework of social reproduction.
Women’s entrepreneurship faces distinct gendered challenges, as unpaid work and domestic responsibilities significantly constrain their ability to scale up and expand their economic activities. This also tends to contribute to a persistent gender gap in the quality and outcomes of work, as most women are relegated to the periphery of entrepreneurship, earning little to no income from their contributions to household enterprises. Hence, since most of these activities are carried out from home and intertwined with household responsibilities, they must be understood not only in terms of economic contribution but within the broader framework of social reproduction.
Report
Implementation research study to understand DAY-NRLM’s institutional mechanisms and interventions to address Gender Based Violence
- January , 2025
- Kaliat Ammu Sanyal
The Strengthening Women’s Institutions for Agency and Empowerment (SWAYAM) programme is being piloted in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha, in partnership with IWWAGE and DAY-NRLM. While DAY-NRLM is the largest government initiative working with rural women in India, the need remains to shift from solely engaging with women to adopting a gender equality and rights-based approach. This shift, through gender mainstreaming, aims to embed gender sensitivity across frameworks, institutions, and processes to achieve sustainable social, economic, and political goals. Under SWAYAM, gender-responsive training has been provided to cadres and institutions, focusing on gender issues, legal rights, and entitlements. A key feature of the programme is the establishment of Gender Justice Centres (GRCs) at the block level, aimed at improving women’s access to rights and services, and addressing grievances related to violence. IWWAGE, an initiative of LEAD at Krea University, conducted a qualitative study on the SWAYAM programme in these pilot states, focusing on its role in addressing Violence Against Women (VAW). The study aimed to understand women’s experiences with accessing services at GRCs and to explore how social norms and gender training impacted the community’s response to violence. The research included interviews with 102 participants across four states, involving SHG women trained and untrained in gender, women who sought support from GRCs, Gender Champions, and men related to SHG members. The study provides insights into the effectiveness of the SWAYAM programme in transforming attitudes towards violence and fostering community intervention in VAW cases.
The Strengthening Women’s Institutions for Agency and Empowerment (SWAYAM) programme is being piloted in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha, in partnership with IWWAGE and DAY-NRLM. While DAY-NRLM is the largest government initiative working with rural women in India, the need remains to shift from solely engaging with women to adopting a gender equality and rights-based approach. This shift, through gender mainstreaming, aims to embed gender sensitivity across frameworks, institutions, and processes to achieve sustainable social, economic, and political goals. Under SWAYAM, gender-responsive training has been provided to cadres and institutions, focusing on gender issues, legal rights, and entitlements. A key feature of the programme is the establishment of Gender Justice Centres (GRCs) at the block level, aimed at improving women’s access to rights and services, and addressing grievances related to violence. IWWAGE, an initiative of LEAD at Krea University, conducted a qualitative study on the SWAYAM programme in these pilot states, focusing on its role in addressing Violence Against Women (VAW). The study aimed to understand women’s experiences with accessing services at GRCs and to explore how social norms and gender training impacted the community’s response to violence. The research included interviews with 102 participants across four states, involving SHG women trained and untrained in gender, women who sought support from GRCs, Gender Champions, and men related to SHG members. The study provides insights into the effectiveness of the SWAYAM programme in transforming attitudes towards violence and fostering community intervention in VAW cases.
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.