Between tradition and modernity: Why so few Indian women are employed and what this means for your company – Part 3
Indian women and the labor market: How European companies can benefit from the women’s empowerment program in India
Even though modern, well-educated Indian women are increasingly pursuing careers, the pressure to fulfill traditional roles remains. The employment rate of women in India is therefore far below the average of the G-20 countries. Click here for part 1 and part 2 of the series.
This untapped potential has not only been recognized by many companies, but also by the Indian government, which is increasingly committed to promoting women. The aim is to achieve a female employment rate of 60 percent.
Indian funding program PMKVY 4.0
Since 2015, there have been special training programs such as the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), which, among other things, specifically qualifies women for technical and digital professions and tries to better integrate them into the labor market.
PMKVY 4.0 (2023-2026) is the fourth chapter of a national skill development program led by India’s Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). It offers practical training in areas such as electromobility, solar technology, robotics and digital applications – with a strong focus on non-traditional professions for women.
A special bonus: participants receive financial support (e.g. transportation allowances) as well as career advice, digital training and support with job placement.
By October 2024, 6.23 million Indian women had already taken part in this support program.
Private funding programs
There are now also private-sector efforts to promote Indian women in particular. One example is SHEROES, a platform founded in India that is dedicated to the economic, social and personal empowerment of women. Founded by Sairee Chahal, SHEROES provides a safe space for women to share, find support and develop themselves through its website and app. The platform includes over 62 topic-specific communities where topics such as health, career, relationships and entrepreneurship are discussed. There is also an anonymous chat hotline where members can speak to advisors.(sheroesnetwork.com, sheroes.com)
SHEROES aims to reach and empower over 100 million women in India by 2030. The organization has received several awards, including the IAMAI Digital Award in the “Social and Economic Empowerment” category.(en.wikipedia.org, sheroes.com)
Conclusion:
The low employment rate of Indian women is no coincidence, but the result of complex social structures. However, change is possible: government initiatives, education programs and the commitment of international companies can help to make it easier for women to enter the labour market.
At our 6 Indian locations, we also endeavor to focus on the special needs of our female employees and promote their careers. “Empowerment coaching specifically for women is one of these pieces of the puzzle towards greater participation. In our next blog post, we will share with you our experience from such coaching. Please follow us.
Would you like to find out more about the challenges and opportunities of the Indian labor market or do you have questions about doing business in India? Would you like to strengthen your employees in India? Please do not hesitate to contact us. We have been navigating companies to success in India for more than 20 years. We look forward to hearing from you.
