Are Women Missing from India's Factory Floors?

India’s march toward becoming a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) is rooted in several foundational pillars — nari shakti, or women's empowerment. Yet, despite this aspirational vision, women remain largely absent from one of the country’s most promising growth sectors — manufacturing.

Women in the Informal Sector: A Lopsided Reality

Women in India are significantly overrepresented in the informal sector — especially in manufacturing. While the informal manufacturing workforce is 43% female, only 18.9% of workers in the formal manufacturing sector were women in 2022–23 — a decline from 20.9% in 2015–16. This disparity is not due to a lack of willingness or capability among women, but due to structural inequalities and a lack of access to better jobs.

Sector

Female Workforce Participation (%)

Formal Manufacturing (2015–16)

20.90%

Formal Manufacturing (2022–23)

18.90%

Informal Manufacturing

43.00%

Regional Concentration: Tamil Nadu Leads the Way

Not all states are created equal when it comes to women’s employment in manufacturing. Tamil Nadu stands out, employing 41% of all women working in formal manufacturing. Together with four other states, Tamil Nadu accounts for nearly three-quarters of India’s formal female manufacturing workforce.

Similarly, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra contribute nearly 50% of the informal female workforce in manufacturing. However, states such as Bihar, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and Haryana exhibit a gender gap of over 94%, with women forming less than 6% of the formal manufacturing workforce.

State

Female Participation in Formal Manufacturing (%)

Tamil Nadu

41% (of total female formal workforce)

Bihar, West Bengal, etc.

<6%

Maharashtra, Gujarat, U.P.

<15%

Sectoral Segregation: Lack of Industry Diversity

There is a high degree of homogeneity in the industries employing women. In the formal sector, 60% of women are concentrated in textiles, wearing apparel, and food processing. In the informal sector, wearing apparel and tobacco are dominant employers.

Interestingly, tobacco is the only formal sector where women outnumber men, and in the informal tobacco industry, over 90% of the workers are women — highlighting the precarious nature of women’s employment.

Sector (Formal)

% of Women Workers

Textiles, Apparel, Food

60%

Tobacco (Informal)

>90%

The Way Forward: Bridging the Gender Gap

To transition women into better-paying, secure jobs, it is imperative to address the root causes:

1. Skill Training and Upskilling

Only 6% of women in manufacturing have formal vocational training or on-the-job experience, according to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS). Expanding skill development programs, especially in newer manufacturing domains like electronics or machinery, can significantly improve employability.

2. Educational Attainment

There’s a sharp gap in educational attainment: nearly 47% of men in manufacturing have completed secondary or higher education, compared to just 30% of women. Programs targeting secondary education completion among girls can have long-term impacts on workforce parity.

3. Sectoral Diversification

The over-concentration of women in traditional sectors needs to be broken. Encouraging female employment in sectors like electronics, auto-components, and pharmaceuticals can create new opportunities.

4. Safe and Inclusive Work Environments

Initiatives like Tamil Nadu’s ‘Thozhi’ scheme, which builds hostels for working women, are vital. Each state should craft interventions tailored to its unique needs — from safe transportation to workplace crèche facilities.

Conclusion: A Viksit Bharat Needs its Women

Manufacturing contributes nearly 20% to India's GDP and is poised to become a key driver of economic growth. Yet, without the inclusion of women — who form half of the population — this vision remains incomplete. Policies must not only aim at creating jobs but also at making them accessible and sustainable for women.

To truly harness the potential of nari shakti in India’s industrial landscape, we must bridge the gap between informal and formal employment, ensure equitable access to training and education, and build work environments where women can thrive.

References

1.      Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Reports, Govt. of India

2.      Ministry of Labour and Employment, India

3.      Tamil Nadu Government: ‘Thozhi’ Scheme Details

4.      Economic Survey of India, 2022–23

5.      Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) Reports

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