Page 52 - CII-ARTHA

ARTHA

Conclusion
Policy and
Legal Reforms India’s persistently low female labour force participation

is not merely a gender disparity - it is a structural
Labour laws and policies should be revisited to enable - economic constraint that hinders growth, productivity,
not restrict - women’s employment. For example, Indian and innovation. Despite rising education levels and policy
states prevent women from working in roles that are attention, women remain underrepresented in the
deemed hazardous in factories – with the list varying workforce, exposing deep-rooted institutional and
from state to state. A rationalisation of the list of societal barriers that education alone cannot overcome.
restricted occupations for women across states, Bridging this gap is not just a matter of equity; it is an
grounded in scientific and safety-based assessments economic necessity. Estimates suggest that closing the
rather than outdated protective assumptions, can help gender gap in labour participation could add up to 18 per
expand women’s access to a wider range of cent to India’s GDP, underscoring that gender inclusion is
employment opportunities.
central to national prosperity.
Until recently, women were prohibited from working To achieve this transformation, India must adopt a
during night shifts, which has been done away with multi-pronged strategy that simultaneously addresses
under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working demand- and supply-side challenges. This includes
Conditions (OSHWC) Code, 2020. Same approach is creating employment in sectors that can absorb female
needed to revise the list of restricted occupations. labour, developing gender-responsive infrastructure -
such as safe public transport and affordable childcare,
and expanding flexible work arrangements that
accommodate diverse needs. Equally crucial are policy
reforms to eliminate restrictive labour laws, enforce equal
opportunities, and promote inclusive workplace
practices.

The paradox of education without employment must also
be urgently addressed through better skill alignment,
industry linkages, and mentorship initiatives that convert
learning into livelihood.

Empowering women is not a social luxury - it is a strategic
imperative for India’s competitiveness and long-term
development. The time for decisive, coordinated action is
now, because when women thrive, India thrives.

*********

52