Publications
Publications
Category
Year
Learning note
Hybrid Work and its Effect on Womens Labour Force Participation
- June , 2023
- Sona Mitra | Preethi Rao | Aishwarya Joshi
The COVID-19 pandemic redefined workspaces globally, with many organisations adopting hybrid work models that offer employees flexibility between working from home and in the office. In India, this shift holds potential to increase women’s participation in the workforce, as hybrid work can help women balance care responsibilities, safety concerns, and mobility challenges. However, it also presents unique challenges for women, including increased stress, burnout, and a heavier burden of unpaid care work. This policy review highlights the need for gender-inclusive hybrid work policies, drawing on global best practices and insights from 60 countries. It reveals that while hybrid models are becoming the norm, there is a lack of specific provisions addressing women’s unique needs. In India, the absence of comprehensive remote work policies and gender-responsive guidelines further complicates the situation, despite some initiatives like the Maternity Benefit Act and the Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act extending protection to remote work. This publication calls for concerted efforts by both government and private sectors to develop gender-responsive hybrid work policies. Recommendations include transparent compensation policies, clear communication channels, flexible evaluation systems, childcare support, and training for managers to ensure a gender-inclusive work environment. By adopting these measures, organisations can minimise attrition, maximise retention, and create a more equitable hybrid workplace for women.
The COVID-19 pandemic redefined workspaces globally, with many organisations adopting hybrid work models that offer employees flexibility between working from home and in the office. In India, this shift holds potential to increase women’s participation in the workforce, as hybrid work can help women balance care responsibilities, safety concerns, and mobility challenges. However, it also presents unique challenges for women, including increased stress, burnout, and a heavier burden of unpaid care work. This policy review highlights the need for gender-inclusive hybrid work policies, drawing on global best practices and insights from 60 countries. It reveals that while hybrid models are becoming the norm, there is a lack of specific provisions addressing women’s unique needs. In India, the absence of comprehensive remote work policies and gender-responsive guidelines further complicates the situation, despite some initiatives like the Maternity Benefit Act and the Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act extending protection to remote work. This publication calls for concerted efforts by both government and private sectors to develop gender-responsive hybrid work policies. Recommendations include transparent compensation policies, clear communication channels, flexible evaluation systems, childcare support, and training for managers to ensure a gender-inclusive work environment. By adopting these measures, organisations can minimise attrition, maximise retention, and create a more equitable hybrid workplace for women.
Learning note
Emerging Priorities in the Care Sector: Opportunities for Indias G20 Presidency
- June , 2023
- Sruthi Kutty | Sona Mitra
Care work-both paid and unpaid-plays a vital role in supporting economies and societies. However, it is predominantly shouldered by women, which limits their ability to participate in the formal workforce. As India assumes the G20 presidency, there is an opportunity to spotlight the care sector as a driver of gender-responsive development. This brief explores the potential of the care economy, highlighting the need for investments in care infrastructure and care workers. By recognising care as a critical sector, and investing in childcare, elder care, and support for persons with disabilities, India can unlock new economic opportunities for women. Adequate investments in infrastructure and trained care workers can reduce the burden on women, enabling them to access employment and contribute to the economy. The brief also calls for public and private sector collaboration to enhance social security, fair wages, and decent working conditions for care workers. Addressing the invisibility of unpaid care work through better measurement tools is key to acknowledging women’s contributions and integrating care work into economic policies.
Care work-both paid and unpaid-plays a vital role in supporting economies and societies. However, it is predominantly shouldered by women, which limits their ability to participate in the formal workforce. As India assumes the G20 presidency, there is an opportunity to spotlight the care sector as a driver of gender-responsive development. This brief explores the potential of the care economy, highlighting the need for investments in care infrastructure and care workers. By recognising care as a critical sector, and investing in childcare, elder care, and support for persons with disabilities, India can unlock new economic opportunities for women. Adequate investments in infrastructure and trained care workers can reduce the burden on women, enabling them to access employment and contribute to the economy. The brief also calls for public and private sector collaboration to enhance social security, fair wages, and decent working conditions for care workers. Addressing the invisibility of unpaid care work through better measurement tools is key to acknowledging women’s contributions and integrating care work into economic policies.
Newsletter (Gender In Focus)
Gender in Focus
- June , 2023
- IWWAGE
In this issue, we have included the insights from ‘Together We Can’, a compilation of case studies of how women’s collectives from different Indian states address the issue of gender-based violence that could serve as an example for others.
In this issue, we have included the insights from ‘Together We Can’, a compilation of case studies of how women’s collectives from different Indian states address the issue of gender-based violence that could serve as an example for others.
Learning note
Women’s Workforce Participation in India: Statewise Trends
- April , 2023
- Suchika Gupta , Sona Mitra , Bidisha Mondal
Uttar Pradesh, with a population of nearly 200 million, is India’s most populous state and the fourth largest by area. Despite a literacy rate of 57.1% for women in 2011 and a female unemployment rate of 13.1% in urban areas in 2020-21, UP remains an economic powerhouse. It is the largest producer of food grains and accounts for 90% of India’s carpet production. With a Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of INR 17.49 trillion in 2021-22, UP’s economy is driven by its thriving agricultural, textile, and tertiary sectors. This factsheet explores key socio-economic and employment trends in the state.
Uttar Pradesh, with a population of nearly 200 million, is India’s most populous state and the fourth largest by area. Despite a literacy rate of 57.1% for women in 2011 and a female unemployment rate of 13.1% in urban areas in 2020-21, UP remains an economic powerhouse. It is the largest producer of food grains and accounts for 90% of India’s carpet production. With a Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of INR 17.49 trillion in 2021-22, UP’s economy is driven by its thriving agricultural, textile, and tertiary sectors. This factsheet explores key socio-economic and employment trends in the state.
Learning note
Women’s Workforce Participation in India: Statewise Trends
- April , 2023
- Suchika Gupta , Sona Mitra , Bidisha Mondal
Assam, the second-largest state in the northeast by population and area, had a population of 3.12 crore in 2011. With a Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of INR 3,73,872 crores in 2020-21, the state’s Female Labour Force Participation (FLFP) rate stands at 18.9% in rural areas and 16% in urban areas, lower than the national average. Assam’s gender ratio in 2020-21 was 958 females per 1,000 males, and the literacy rate was 72.2%, with a gender disparity in literacy-77.85% for men and 66.27% for women. This factsheet examines Assam’s key socio-economic indicators.
Assam, the second-largest state in the northeast by population and area, had a population of 3.12 crore in 2011. With a Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of INR 3,73,872 crores in 2020-21, the state’s Female Labour Force Participation (FLFP) rate stands at 18.9% in rural areas and 16% in urban areas, lower than the national average. Assam’s gender ratio in 2020-21 was 958 females per 1,000 males, and the literacy rate was 72.2%, with a gender disparity in literacy-77.85% for men and 66.27% for women. This factsheet examines Assam’s key socio-economic indicators.
Factsheet
Women’s Workforce Participation in India: Statewise Trends
- April , 2023
- Suchika Gupta, Sona Mitra, Bidisha Mondal
This factsheet highlights Assam’s key socio-economic indicators, including a Female Labour Force Participation (FLFP) rate of 18.9% in rural areas and 16% in urban areas, both below the national average. With a literacy rate of 72.2%, the state shows notable gender disparity in education. Explore Assam’s economic landscape, gender ratios, and workforce trends.
This factsheet highlights Assam’s key socio-economic indicators, including a Female Labour Force Participation (FLFP) rate of 18.9% in rural areas and 16% in urban areas, both below the national average. With a literacy rate of 72.2%, the state shows notable gender disparity in education. Explore Assam’s economic landscape, gender ratios, and workforce trends.
Factsheet
Women’s Workforce Participation in India: Statewise Trends
- April , 2023
- Nidhi Gyan Pandey
West Bengal (WB) is located on the eastern coast of the Indian peninsula and is part of the fertile Indo-Gangetic Plain. It is the fourth most populous state in the country, with a population of about 99 million.This factsheet examines West Bengal’s key socio-economic indicators.
West Bengal (WB) is located on the eastern coast of the Indian peninsula and is part of the fertile Indo-Gangetic Plain. It is the fourth most populous state in the country, with a population of about 99 million.This factsheet examines West Bengal’s key socio-economic indicators.
Factsheet
Women’s Workforce Participation in India: Statewise Trends
- April , 2023
- Suchika Gupta, Sona Mitra
Uttar Pradesh, with a population of nearly 200 million, is India’s most populous state and the fourth largest by area.This factsheet explores key socio-economic and employment trends in the state
Uttar Pradesh, with a population of nearly 200 million, is India’s most populous state and the fourth largest by area.This factsheet explores key socio-economic and employment trends in the state
Brief
Hybrid Work and its Effect on Women’s Labour Force Participation
- April , 2023
- Areen Deshmukh, Mitali Nikore
COVID-19 and related lockdowns disrupted the global economy and reshaped the concept of the workplace. Organisations worldwide are increasingly adopting hybrid work models that combine remote and in-office work, a trend also evident in India, where 73% of firms plan to shift to hybrid work (CBRE). Women are more vulnerable to such economic shocks due to structural inequities and their disproportionate burden of unpaid care work, which intensified during the pandemic as care institutions shut down. As a result, women’s employment in India was severely affected, with 13.4 million women (26.6%) exiting the labour force between March–April 2020. Hybrid work offers potential to support women’s labour force participation by providing flexibility for those facing caregiving responsibilities, safety concerns, or mobility constraints. This policy review analyses existing government and private-sector hybrid work policies and identifies global best practices. The study draws on a literature review of policy and legal frameworks across 60 countries, along with consultations with key stakeholders.
COVID-19 and related lockdowns disrupted the global economy and reshaped the concept of the workplace. Organisations worldwide are increasingly adopting hybrid work models that combine remote and in-office work, a trend also evident in India, where 73% of firms plan to shift to hybrid work (CBRE). Women are more vulnerable to such economic shocks due to structural inequities and their disproportionate burden of unpaid care work, which intensified during the pandemic as care institutions shut down. As a result, women’s employment in India was severely affected, with 13.4 million women (26.6%) exiting the labour force between March–April 2020. Hybrid work offers potential to support women’s labour force participation by providing flexibility for those facing caregiving responsibilities, safety concerns, or mobility constraints. This policy review analyses existing government and private-sector hybrid work policies and identifies global best practices. The study draws on a literature review of policy and legal frameworks across 60 countries, along with consultations with key stakeholders.
Working Paper
Understanding the barriers to womens career advancement in manufacturing sector
- March , 2023
- Aishwarya Joshi , Kaavyayani Pal , Mahima Chaki
The COVID-19 pandemic catalysed a shift in how we work, bringing hybrid work models into the spotlight especially for women. These flexible arrangements offer greater autonomy over time, often leading to improved work-life balance, reduced costs, and higher productivity. However, the benefits and challenges of hybrid work are not experienced equally its effects are often gendered. While most existing research on hybrid work focuses on ICT-intensive sectors, there’s limited data on how women across different industries and regions are engaging with this model. With the government’s push for a digitally empowered society under the Digital India Programme, and a growing emphasis on enterprise development in peri-urban and rural areas, hybrid work holds promise for expanding economic opportunities for women. This rapid assessment captures insights from 400 working women, including 150 currently in hybrid roles, across sectors such as technology, social services, and healthcare. With an average respondent age of 27 years and nearly half residing outside metropolitan areas, the study highlights both the opportunities and gaps in hybrid work adoption. A case study from a rural BPO in Uttarakhand further explores how hybrid work could transform women’s employment in non-urban settings.
The COVID-19 pandemic catalysed a shift in how we work, bringing hybrid work models into the spotlight especially for women. These flexible arrangements offer greater autonomy over time, often leading to improved work-life balance, reduced costs, and higher productivity. However, the benefits and challenges of hybrid work are not experienced equally its effects are often gendered. While most existing research on hybrid work focuses on ICT-intensive sectors, there’s limited data on how women across different industries and regions are engaging with this model. With the government’s push for a digitally empowered society under the Digital India Programme, and a growing emphasis on enterprise development in peri-urban and rural areas, hybrid work holds promise for expanding economic opportunities for women. This rapid assessment captures insights from 400 working women, including 150 currently in hybrid roles, across sectors such as technology, social services, and healthcare. With an average respondent age of 27 years and nearly half residing outside metropolitan areas, the study highlights both the opportunities and gaps in hybrid work adoption. A case study from a rural BPO in Uttarakhand further explores how hybrid work could transform women’s employment in non-urban settings.
Report
The Changing World of Women’s Work
- April , 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
Women and Work: How India fared in 2024
- April , 2025
- Aishwarya Bhuta, Harshita Kumari, Sohinee Thakurta, and Teesta Shukla.
The year 2024 marked a key moment for women and work in India, shaped by economic shifts, policy action, and technological change. Since 2021–22, new challenges and opportunities have influenced women’s workforce participation, alongside renewed efforts to advance women’s economic empowerment. Building on the vision of women-led development highlighted during India’s 2023 G20 presidency, momentum continued across multiple initiatives. This report examines key trends, policy developments, and emerging challenges shaping women’s work in 2024. Drawing on secondary data and research from IWWAGE and LEAD, it maps the evolving landscape of women’s work in India and identifies pathways to greater inclusion and economic agency.
The year 2024 marked a key moment for women and work in India, shaped by economic shifts, policy action, and technological change. Since 2021–22, new challenges and opportunities have influenced women’s workforce participation, alongside renewed efforts to advance women’s economic empowerment. Building on the vision of women-led development highlighted during India’s 2023 G20 presidency, momentum continued across multiple initiatives. This report examines key trends, policy developments, and emerging challenges shaping women’s work in 2024. Drawing on secondary data and research from IWWAGE and LEAD, it maps the evolving landscape of women’s work in India and identifies pathways to greater inclusion and economic agency.
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 Bidhisha 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.