Synopsis
A recent report highlights the pivotal role of the Retail and IT sectors in boosting women's participation in India's contractual workforce, revealing trends and educational disparities while advocating for greater gender inclusion across industries.Key Takeaways
- Retail and IT sectors lead in female contractual employment.
- About 41.3% of women in contractual roles hold a graduation degree.
- Contractual employment is key for women aged 18 to 37.
- Metropolitan areas dominate women’s employment opportunities.
- Expansion needed in tier-2 and tier-3 cities for inclusion.
Bengaluru, March 24 (NationPress) The Retail and Information Technology sectors are significantly enhancing the participation of women in contractual employment across India, as outlined in a report released on Monday.
Compiled by TeamLease Services, a company specializing in staffing and workforce solutions, the report sheds light on the prevailing gender disparities within the workforce. It highlights necessary trends and reforms to foster inclusive employment opportunities for women across various industries.
The findings indicate that the retail sector (29.8 percent), IT sector (20.7 percent), and financial services (18.9 percent) are at the forefront of employing women in contractual roles. In contrast, industries like manufacturing (10.8 percent), power and energy (5 percent), and telecom (4 percent) reflect lower female representation, highlighting the urgent need for improved gender inclusion.
Education is a critical factor influencing women's employment opportunities. The report reveals that approximately 41.3 percent of women in contractual positions possess a graduation degree, while 28.5 percent have completed the 12th grade.
A smaller segment has 10th-grade education (18.8 percent), with postgraduates (10.2 percent) and diploma & ITI holders (1.2 percent) comprising the remainder. This data indicates that most employed women have at least a higher secondary or graduate-level education, contributing to a skilled talent pool actively involved in diverse industries.
"Women’s workforce participation in India reveals a distinct divide based on education levels. Individuals with minimal or extensive education are more actively involved, whereas mid-level graduates exhibit unique employment trends. However, contractual employment has surfaced as a crucial facilitator, particularly for women aged 18 to 37, granting essential access to various industries, skilling opportunities, and financial stability,” stated Kartik Narayan, CEO - Staffing, TeamLease Services.
“As India strives to elevate female workforce participation to 70 percent, enhancing the contractual workforce ecosystem through targeted skilling initiatives, support for career transitions, and industry-focused programs will be vital,” he added.
Moreover, the report indicates that job opportunities for women, particularly in contractual roles, are primarily located in metropolitan and industrial centers. Maharashtra (28.7 percent) leads in female employment, followed by Tamil Nadu (14.2 percent) and Karnataka (14.1 percent).
States like Telangana (7.8 percent), Gujarat (7.2 percent), and Uttar Pradesh (6.6 percent) also play significant roles. While urban areas propel employment growth, the report emphasizes the potential to broaden opportunities in tier-2 and tier-3 cities for greater workforce inclusion.
The female contractual workforce is predominantly youthful, with 62.2 percent of women aged between 18 and 27, while 29.4 percent are between 28 and 37 years old.
