Achieving 70% female workforce participation by 2047 pivotal for a Viksit Bharat: Labour secretary Sumita Dawra

The government is committed to achieving the 70% female workforce participation by 2047 as it is pivotal for building a Viksit Bharat and will help unlock immense economic potential and foster growth, labour and employment secretary Sumita Dawra said.

Speaking at the Women in Services Sector - the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Dialogue 2025 on Wednesday, Dawra said over the past six years, the labour force participation rate for women has risen from 23% in 2017-18 to approximately 42% in 2023-24.

“This uptick is evident across various sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing and services, with a notable increase in educated women joining the workforce,” she said.


Dawra, however, said the ongoing challenges to women participation in the workforce include workplace biases, wage disparities, limited leadership opportunities, job security concerns and the balancing act between professional and domestic responsibilities.

Emphasizing the importance of mentorship programs to prepare women for leadership roles and the need to create safe, inclusive workplaces, Dawra underscored the potential of sectors like STEM, entrepreneurship and startups for women's further involvement.

Tarana Sawhney, advisor, CII task force on art and culture agreed that challenges such as unequal pay, limited institutional support and sociocultural biases persist.

“Equip women with technological tools and resources to further their artistic and entrepreneurial endeavours, creating a future where gender is an afterthought and equal opportunity is a reality,” she added.