Women’s Employment Opportunities in India: Insights and Potential Growth
A recent report highlights that career prospects for women, especially in contractual positions, are mainly found in metropolitan and industrial regions. However, there remains significant potential to broaden these prospects in tier II and III cities, as noted on Monday by TeamLease Services in their report titled ‘No Women Left Behind 2.0’.
Current Landscape of Contractual Employment
Currently, the majority of contractual job opportunities for women are concentrated in states such as Maharashtra, which accounts for 28.7%, followed by Tamil Nadu at 14.2%, and Karnataka at 14.1%. Additionally, states like Telangana (7.8%), Gujarat (7.2%), and Uttar Pradesh (6.6%) are also notable contributors to women’s contractual employment.
While urban centers are key drivers of employment, the findings suggest a vast opportunity for expansion into smaller cities, which could enhance workforce inclusion for women.
Data-Driven Insights
The report is grounded in TeamLease Services’ analysis of 38,000 associates, revealing gender-specific disparities and offering in-depth insights into the job market. Retail (29.8%), IT (20.7%), and financial services (18.9%) are the leading sectors for women’s employment in contractual roles.
Addressing Gender Representation
Conversely, sectors like manufacturing (10.8%), power and energy (5%), and telecommunications (4%) show lower representation of women, indicating a pressing need for enhanced gender inclusion. The growing enrollment of women in higher education, particularly in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields, is paving the way for increased participation in industries such as retail, IT, and financial services.
Younger Women Dominate the Contractual Workforce
The data also reveals that a significant portion of the women’s contractual workforce is young, with 62.2% aged between 18 and 27, and 29.4% between 28 and 37. However, participation sharply declines in older age brackets, with only 6.6% in the 38-47 age group and a mere 1.9% above the age of 48, reflecting the changing dynamics of workforce engagement across various career stages.
The Importance of Policy and Education
According to Kartik Narayan, CEO of TeamLease Services, “There exists a clear divide in women’s workforce participation between metropolitan areas and smaller towns. This disparity can be mitigated through robust company policies, particularly targeting opportunities in tier II and III cities. Education plays a crucial role in this divide.
“Individuals with minimal or advanced education are more actively engaged, while those with mid-level degrees exhibit different employment patterns. Contractual employment serves as a fundamental enabler for women aged 18 to 37, offering vital access to diverse industries, skill development, and financial independence,” he added.
Aiming for Greater Workforce Inclusion
As India aspires to elevate women’s workforce participation to 70%, enhancing the ecosystem for contractual employment through targeted skill development programs, career transition support, and industry-specific initiatives will be crucial. “By cultivating structured career paths and dismantling barriers, we can foster a more inclusive and economically empowered workforce for women from all backgrounds,” Narayan concluded.
