Paper delves into key barriers to women’s labour force participation rate (LFPR) and provides actionable insights for policymakers to unlock India’s untapped female workforce potential. 

Key Findings

• Status: India’s female labour force participation rate (FLFPR) stands at 37%, well below global average of 47% and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average of 67%. 
• Key Barriers in FLFPR:
  • Unpaid care responsibilities: According to Time Use in India Report 2019, Indian women devote more than twice as much time to unpaid care work as compared to men.
  • Absence of formal part-time work options in India: Women end up in informal, precarious jobs, with no job security or social benefits.
• By addressing these two barriers faced by women, female LFPR can be increased by 6%.

Policy Recommendations

• Formalizing part-time work: By setting hourly minimum wages, ensuring job security, and providing access to social security benefits. 
• Investing in care infrastructure: Public and private investment in affordable childcare and eldercare facilities yields many benefits to private companies and macroeconomy.
• Promoting gender equality in caregiving: Policies such as paid parental leave for both parents, tax incentives etc.
• Adopting Flexible work policies. E.g. remote work and adjustable schedules.