Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday shared an article highlighting the significant rise in women’s employment across India, pointing to improved job opportunities and greater workforce participation in recent years.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister cited data shared by Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, noting that the women’s employment rate has increased to 39 per cent in 2025 from 22 per cent in 2017.
In his article Mandaviya said that the rise reflects a broader improvement in female workforce participation and employment outcomes. Speaking at an event in Delhi, the minister said, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has witnessed new, enabling opportunities opening up for women, leading to a transformative improvement in female employment indicators.”
He highlighted that the Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) has increased from 23.3 per cent in 2017–18 to around 40 per cent in 2025. Similarly, the Female Worker Population Ratio (FWPR) rose from 22 per cent to nearly 39 per cent during the same period.
The minister also noted a decline in the Female Unemployment Rate (FUR), which dropped from 5.6 per cent to 3.1 per cent, indicating improved job availability and successful job placement among women seeking employment.
Emphasising the importance of women’s participation in the workforce, Mandaviya said, “Empowering women is central to building a Viksit Bharat,” adding that equitable participation is both a social imperative and an economic necessity.
He further pointed to a significant expansion in social security coverage in India, which has grown from 19 per cent in 2015 to over 64.3 per cent in 2025. The minister credited this to sustained policy measures, including labour law reforms, digital inclusion, and targeted welfare initiatives.
Mandaviya also highlighted the introduction of the Code on Social Security (CoSS) in 2020, which formally recognises gig and platform workers—many of whom are women—providing them access to social security benefits and legal protections.
“The principle of equal pay for equal work has been enshrined in the Codes, a landmark step towards eliminating wage discrimination on the basis of gender,” he said.
He added that provisions such as work-from-home options, maternity benefits, and creche facilities have helped address structural barriers that historically limited women’s participation in the workforce.
The minister also underscored the growing role of gig and platform jobs in empowering women economically. “Women delivery partners are not only supporting their families but also driving societal progress, inspiring future generations, and strengthening the nation’s economic and social fabric,” he said.
At the event, Mandaviya felicitated women delivery partners from online delivery platforms, recognising their resilience and contribution. The programme brought together women who have overcome socio-economic challenges to build sustainable livelihoods.
