New Delhi
Women’s involvement in India’s formal workforce has increased significantly over the past four years. According to the latest government data, the female Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for women aged 15 and above rose from 23.3% in 2019–20 to 41.7% in 2023–24 — a rise of 18.4%. Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Shobha Karandlaje, shared this information in a written response in Parliament.
In 2024–25 alone, 26.9 lakh women were added as new subscribers to the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), highlighting a major shift toward formal jobs.
The government has introduced several schemes to encourage women’s employment, such as Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, Kaushal Vikas Yojana, Stand-Up India, Startup India, and PM Employment Generation Programme. Special science-based programs like WISE-KIRAN and SERB-POWER also support women in research and innovation fields.
Schemes like Mission Shakti, Namo Drone Didi, and Lakhpati Didi aim to empower women at the grassroots level. The Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme further promotes job creation and social security, especially in manufacturing.
Labour laws now include several protections for women. These include extended maternity leave from 12 to 26 weeks, mandatory crèche facilities for workplaces with over 50 employees, and the allowance for night shifts with proper safety.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development’s ‘Palna’ scheme offers free childcare services through Anganwadi-cum-Creches (AWCC) across India, ensuring safe care for children while supporting working mothers.
This steady growth signals a strong step toward gender equality in India’s job market and formal economy.
