The Grand Vision and a Hidden Key
India, in its boundless ambition, envisions itself as a global economic leviathan by 2047, marking a century of independence. We speak of technological marvels, infrastructural behemoths, and fiscal wizardry. But could the linchpin of this grand design be something far more fundamental, something woven into the very fabric of our society? I posit that the key lies in unlocking the immense, and often tragically untapped, potential of millions of Indian women.
The narrative is shifting. We are witnessing a surge in women’s participation in the workforce, propelled both by stark economic realities and legislative interventions such as the recently implemented Labour Codes. This transformation, however, isn’t a straightforward, triumphant march. It’s a winding path, fraught with complexities, contradictions, and the echoes of long-standing societal debates.
The Current Landscape of Women at Work
Let’s begin with the headline, a figure that demands attention: India’s female labour force participation rate (FLFPR) has vaulted from a mere 23% in 2017-18 to a striking 42% by 2023-24. A near doubling in a handful of years – a seismic shift indeed.
But who are the actors in this drama? The surge is largely driven by women in rural India, often compelled by economic hardship to supplement household income. Are we witnessing genuine empowerment, or a desperate scramble to make ends meet?
The truth, as always, is nuanced. A significant portion of this rise involves women transitioning from unpaid domestic work to unpaid or low-paid self-employment – becoming, as the data classifies them, “helpers in household enterprises” or “own account workers.” Furthermore, many rural women are returning to the agricultural sector (a substantial 76.9%) rather than diversifying into the allure of industrial or service-based employment. Growth it is, but with an asterisk, a qualifier that begs further examination.
A Rocky Road: India’s Past with Working Women
The trajectory of India’s FLFPR has been anything but linear, a puzzle that has vexed economists for decades. We’ve seen periods of decline, a frustrating counter-narrative to the nation’s economic ascent.
Consider this: from a respectable 34.1% in 1999-00, the FLFPR plummeted to a concerning low of 18.6% by 2018-19. During a time of robust economic expansion, increased access to education, and declining fertility rates – all factors that should, theoretically, have encouraged greater female participation – women were, in fact, leaving the workforce.
What explains this paradox? A confluence of factors, no doubt. Rising household incomes may have allowed some women to withdraw from the labor market. Deep-seated societal norms, dictating traditional gender roles, played a significant part. And perhaps most crucially, a dearth of desirable, safe, and appropriately compensated job opportunities deterred many from seeking employment. The recent surge, therefore, marks a dramatic and potentially transformative reversal of this long-term perplexing trend.
The Labour Codes: Game-Changer or Gimmick?
Enter the new Labour Codes, enacted on November 21, 2025, intended to streamline existing regulations and, crucially, to empower women in the workplace. Are these codes a revolutionary step forward, or merely a superficial fix to a deeply ingrained problem?
The proponents – the government and its supporters – paint a rosy picture: Safer, more secure, and more accessible employment opportunities will accelerate FLFPR. Robust maternity benefits, including 26 weeks of paid leave, and mandatory creche facilities for establishments with over 50 employees will alleviate the burdens of childcare. The codes mandate equal pay for equal work, explicitly prohibiting gender discrimination in recruitment and wages. Women, with their consent and subject to safety measures, can now work night shifts and in any occupation, moving away from outdated “protectionism” towards genuine empowerment. Furthermore, the codes mandate women’s representation in Grievance Redressal Committees, giving them a voice in resolving workplace disputes.
However, a chorus of critics, including NGOs and labor activists, urge caution. Their primary concern is that the codes may not extend adequate protection to the vast majority of women employed in India’s informal sector, leaving them vulnerable and exposed. Increased flexibility in hiring and firing, coupled with the rise of fixed-term employment, could lead to a casualization of the workforce, making women more susceptible to termination, particularly during pregnancy. Questions also arise regarding implementation. Will employers genuinely comply with the new regulations? Are women even aware of their newly enshrined rights? And what about the myriad small and medium-sized enterprises that often operate outside the formal legal framework? Critics contend that the codes fail to address persistent issues such as workplace harassment in smaller establishments, safe transportation, and the ongoing challenges of work-life balance.
Beyond the Codes: A Web of Controversies
The Labour Codes themselves are mired in controversy. Trade unions argue that they weaken worker protections, tilting the balance of power in favor of employers by raising thresholds for layoffs and tightening regulations on strikes. Concerns have also been raised about insufficient consultation with trade unions, undermining democratic processes. The central government’s increasing rule-making power has also sparked concerns about reducing the flexibility of state governments. The gig economy, while acknowledged, remains a grey area. Critics question whether gig workers are truly guaranteed social security or merely receiving tokenistic inclusion, often classified as contractors rather than employees.
The Road to 2047: Women as India’s Economic Engine
India aspires to a $30 trillion economy by 2047, a goal that experts deem unattainable without the full participation of women. Studies suggest that nearly doubling the FLFPR to 70% by 2047 could add a staggering $14 trillion to India’s economic output, sustaining the 7.8% growth rate necessary for achieving high-income status. This translates to 400 million women fueling the nation’s economic engine.
To realize this vision, we must move beyond mere legislation and focus on: continued policy reforms, such as enhanced maternity leave and creche facilities; formalizing women’s employment with social security through initiatives like the e-Shram portal and modernizing EPFO/ESIC; intensive skill development programs, particularly for women not currently in education, employment, or training (NEET); empowering women entrepreneurs through skills training, subsidized loans, and access to finance; and urgently addressing social, cultural, and economic obstacles such as mobility issues and digital access.
The Promise and the Path Ahead
India stands at a pivotal juncture. The economic participation of women has emerged as the undeniable cornerstone of its aspirations for 2047. The journey is complex, marked by historical fluctuations, a recent encouraging surge, and the new Labour Codes, which offer both immense potential and significant points of contention.
The true test lies not merely in enacting laws but in their robust implementation, ensuring that equitable benefits reach the vast informal sector, and genuinely addressing the structural inequalities that hold women back. Unlocking the full potential of its women is not merely beneficial for women; it is essential for India to secure its place as a global economic superpower. The stakes, quite simply, could not be higher. GBN
