India wants to promote manufacturing in order to create a vibrant economy and generate employment. The government and industry are trying to make manufacturing shop floor manpower all-inclusive. India has set aside one of the largest gender budgets — 8 to 9 per cent of the total union budget in 2025. There are dedicated schemes such as Sakhi Niwas (under the Ministry of Women and Child Development) for working women’s hostels. Worker housing with gender sensitive design is also being promoted (under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affair).
Indian’s formal economy remains male-dominated. As of May 2025, India’s Worker Population Ratio for women in urban areas remains just 23 percent. Behind this modest figure, there are lot of changes in the working conditions. Women in Dr. Reddy’s experienced headaches, and they were provided lighter helmets made specially for women. At CEAT plant, women now work in night shifts by restructuring factory infrastructure. Women are picked up and dropped, by company vehicles, accompanied by female security guards. Work-stations have been designed ergonomically. There are onsite creches. There are flexible shift options. There is women empowerment forum. All this has resulted in better productivity.
Tata Motors, Pune plant has an all-women assembly line. Work-space has been redesigned for women. There are restrooms and creche facilities. There is last-mile transportation system. They prepare women for leadership roles. In a cafe, employees and managers engage in open dialogue. They resolve work-place issues.
Women’s labour force was 30 per cent in 2019-20. It has increased to 41.27 per cent in 2023-24. Still, urban participation lags behind — 25.3 per cent in May 2025 (as against 35.2 per cent in rural areas).
There are still many companies in MSME segment where gender-inclusive workplaces are an exception. There are issues of infrastructure and social norms. Women are reluctant to work on shop floors. But this is changing very fast. There should be basic amenities such as clean toilets, last mile transport, safe accommodation and creche facilities. Large companies can afford to invest in these changes. MSME consider women as costly hires.
Electronics manufacture employs 80-100 per cent women on the shop floor.
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