New Delhi, Mar 5
The Secretary of the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Smt. Sumita Dawra, participated in a Round Table Discussion on improving female workforce participation in India. The event took place at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie, on March 3rd and 4th, 2025. It was an important step towards achieving the Viksit Bharat 2047 goal of 70% female workforce participation.
India’s Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) currently stands at 41.7% (as per PLFS 2023-24). The discussion brought together government officials, industry leaders, global organizations, and skilling institutions to address major challenges such as employment barriers, workplace safety, equal pay, and digital job opportunities. Over two days, experts discussed policies and solutions to ensure safe, inclusive, and fair workplaces that contribute to India’s economic growth.
Smt. Dawra emphasized the importance of this discussion in shaping policies that promote women’s workforce participation. She highlighted India’s positive progress in this area over the past six years. The Worker Population Ratio (WPR) for women aged 15 and above has increased from 22.0% in 2017-18 to 40.3% in 2023-24. Similarly, the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for women has risen from 23.3% to 41.7%, while female unemployment has significantly declined from 5.6% to 3.2%. These figures reflect a positive shift towards greater economic inclusion of women.
The discussions were centered around four key areas: the Care Ecosystem, Future of Jobs & Skilling, Safe & Equitable Workplaces, and AI & Digital Interventions. The Ministry of Labour and Employment identified crucial actions to increase women’s workforce participation. Expanding affordable and high-quality care services was seen as a vital support for working women. Aligning skill development programs with industry needs was also highlighted as necessary to improve women’s access to high-growth jobs. Ensuring workplace safety, enforcing gender-sensitive labor laws, and promoting fair policies were identified as priorities. Additionally, the government is focusing on using AI and digital tools to create job opportunities and enhance digital literacy among women.
The event concluded with actionable recommendations to boost women’s participation in the workforce. The participants suggested policy reforms, industry-led initiatives, and institutional measures to remove barriers and create a skilled, safe, and inclusive work environment. Smt. Dawra emphasized that this was just the beginning of a continuous effort, with a dedicated task force ensuring sustained progress. The Joint Secretary of the Ministry, Sh. Ajoy Sharma, thanked all participants and LBSNAA for hosting the discussion and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to translating these ideas into concrete actions for women’s workforce inclusion.
(Source: PIB)
