To say the least, India's economic future is inextricably linked to the requirement of 400 million more women entering the workforce.

The fact that India wants to evolve into a $30 trillion economy by 2047 is inseparably coupled with one key factor: the addition of another 400 million women to its workforce. This is an ambitious goal, intrinsic to the "Labour Force Participation Distillation Report" that has just been published by The/Nudge Institute. This comprehensive analysis underlines the need to virtually double the current female labor force participation rate from 37% to 70% by the fiscal year 2047.

The Economic Imperative for Increasing Female Participation

This latest report, on the terms of this economic milestone, has its requisite in dramatic changes within the contours of employment. The potential gains are huge—this increased female workforce could add up to US$14 trillion to India's economy. But all this potential would take great effort in assimilation of a large chunk of females into the labor market.

The current pace is such that, in 2047, this number would only be of 110 million women in the workforce, and to meet the target, it would require 145 million more women workers, meaning an addition of nearly 145 million more women. This massive deficit underlines the need for interventions that are not merely strategic but effective towards enhancing female participation in the labor force.

Current Status of Women in Workforce

The report underlines some of the deepest concerns regarding women in work today. Most probably, the critical challenge is lack of job security. Women are seven times more likely to lose their jobs and eleven times more likely not to recover from job loss. In 2020, almost half the women employed in 2019 had left the workforce, unveiling the tenuous nature of female employment.

Women are primarily involved in the low-productivity sectors of employment, such as agriculture and manufacturing, and there is limited room for promotion. For example, in the construction industry, they make up little more than 12 percent of workers and normally receive far lower wages than men in unskilled jobs. This sectoral imbalance leads to economic inefficiency and thus to further issues with employment opportunities and proper support of women in these sectors.

These challenges have been further expedited by the COVID-19 pandemic. In view of the losses of salaries or jobs among primary earners, it forced several rural women back into the workforce. This has brought the vulnerabilities of women workers to the front line, underpinning the need for interventions that focus on the retention and support of women in work.

Key Pathways to Boost Female Workforce Participation

These challenges, coupled with the opportunity for realizing the full economic potential of women, are addressed through three key pathways in the report:

1. Redefining Work through Platform Jobs and Digital Microwork

The first pathway would be work redefined through the creation of platform-based job and digital microwork opportunities. Platform jobs, using technology to offer flexible and short-term employment, can now offer new opportunities to women who face barriers to traditional employment. Digital microwork in the form of small, discrete tasks online also offers flexible work options, and increasing these opportunities may activate a broader range of women's employment options. Expanding these opportunities can thus increase women's participation in the labor market. 2. Enhancing Entrepreneurship Opportunities

Another pathway is to promote entrepreneurship opportunities by creating digital commerce infrastructure. Especially, the setting up and growing their own businesses of women can be encouraged by focused investments in the development of digital platforms and resources. This approach not only opens new avenues for economic participation by women but also stimulates innovation and economic growth. In this line, India can unleash some further additional economic potential by stimulating an entrepreneurial ecosystem in a way that will be more conducive to women, creating an economy all the more inclusive and dynamic.

3. Addressing Bottlenecks to Mobility and Digital Access

The third pathway underlines addressing bottlenecks that hamper women's entry into the workforce by improving mobility and digital access.

This means investing in transportation infrastructure and ensuring greater access to digital tools and resources. For example, improved transport can make it easier for women to get to work, and better digital access could offer flexible employment opportunities that are well connected to online job markets. Holistic Approaches Matter According to Kanishka Chatterjee, director and head of The/Nudge Prize, the need is dire: "India's demographic dividend and dreams of a $30 trillion economy will stay fanciful without urgently incrementing the participation of women in the workforce." He applauds the progress but calls for urgent and sustained actions to overcome the economic, social, and cultural barriers.

The report underlines the need for a holistic approach toward improving labor market participation. One cannot view labor market participation just from the supply side but also from demand markers and creation of opportunities in tandem with current economic needs. It is by considering the dynamics of both sides—supply and demand—that intervention strategies can be designed effectively for increasing female participation in the workforce.

Economic, Social, and Cultural Barriers

Feasibility of the ambitious target of increasing female LFPR to 70 percent would need to be addressed through a myriad of economic, social, and cultural barriers.

Some examples of economic barriers include inadequate access to finance and resources among women entrepreneurs and wage differentials that elicit women's earnings and job security.

The social barriers are the attitude of society and the norms that may dissuade women from choosing certain types of careers or participating fully in the labor force. On the other hand, cultural barriers are deeply held gender roles and expectations that limit women's choices and opportunities. Such barriers will require a multi-faceted approach, involving policymakers, businesses, and civil society. Policymakers should be able to come up with policies that are supportive of the enhancement of gender equality, with regulations that eventually encourage participation by women in the labor market. Businesses can contribute by adopting practices in support of career advancement opportunities and bridging the gender gaps. Notably, a contribution can be made by civil society organizations through campaigns meant to raise awareness of the issue and advocate for change, hence providing support to women in need. #### Conclusion

This report by the Nudge Institute is an urgent call for action toward unlocking the potential of India's female workforce. Of course, strategic interventions and sustained commitment will help India surmount challenges en route to its economic aspirations. Expanding opportunity for more and better work while catalyzing entrepreneurship can thusly drive the path forward for India to more effectively work toward $30 trillion economy aspirations by taking a central role in ensuring that women are the drivers for this economic transformation.

It now becomes incumbent upon all stakeholders to come together and act in a proactive manner toward increasing female labor force participation as India marches ahead. If done so, there can be unlocking of newer economic opportunities with driving growth using an inclusive and resilient economy.

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