"Challenges Faced by Women in Indian Manufacturing Jobs"

Participation of women in blue-collar jobs in India has only seen a slight increase, ranging from 10% to 15% in recent years. However, post-pandemic, there has been a 35-40% increase in female participation, according to a report by Entitled Solutions. Despite this surge, the overall percentage of women in blue-collar roles remains low, hovering around 14-15%.

The report identified several key factors contributing to this gender gap, including domestic responsibilities, societal norms, concerns about physical safety, and disparities in digital and skill literacy. Unlike their male counterparts, women workers are predominantly recruited through community-oriented networks rather than digital platforms and job boards.

Historically, harassment and discrimination against women in blue-collar jobs have been prevalent. Nevertheless, positive changes are emerging thanks to government policies, NGOs, and civil groups advocating for safety, training, and support for women workers.

Anshul Khurana, Co-founder of Entitled Solutions, emphasized the importance of addressing these challenges, stating, “To bridge this gender gap, we need a collective effort, from government incentives to specialized training programs.” The report also highlighted the need for specialized support programs to empower women in specific workforce segments, as well as gender-friendly workplace policies, fair compensation, and improved health and safety measures to foster gender equality.

In terms of statistics, women currently make up approximately 14-15% of the overall blue-collar workforce, dropping significantly to around 1% in new-age gig jobs. Nonetheless, the increase in female participation post-pandemic is a noteworthy development in this traditionally male-dominated industry.

Re-reported from the article originally published in India Daily Mail