In the last two decades, the Indian economy has exceeded all expectations and emerged as the fastest-growing economy in the world. The Indian manufacturing industry is one of the drivers of the national economy and currently contributes about 15% of India’s gross domestic product (GDP). As the country embarks on its modernization trajectory, the manufacturing industry is vital for the growth and development story of the nation. In fact, this industry can bring long-term stability to national earnings, foster self-reliance in the country’s ecosystem, and lead India to become a global manufacturing hub.
Several research papers published by McKinsey Global Institute in collaboration with General Electric (GE) indicated a significant correlation between India’s GDP and female labour force participation. An estimated 10% increase in women’s labour force participation could add more than $770 billion to India’s GDP by 2025. As an inspiration for developing nations, India’s meteoric rise can be expedited by women who play an integral part in the national growth and success story. Women who can leave an indelible mark and impactful contributions to the Indian manufacturing industry.
Looking towards future horizons, technology is playing a big part in manufacturing companies pivoting to address diversity. The drive towards automation and robotics will increase overall efficiency and the potential to have a more significant proportion of women in a traditionally male-dominated manufacturing sector. Automation will enable women to take up more roles in the manufacturing industry, which have earlier been barriers to entry, such as physically demanding heavy lifting, hammering, etc. Now, dedicated machines are doing these standardised manufacturing tasks, which both men and women can operate. As technology continues to enable greater women participation in the manufacturing industry, this will foster better diversity, equity and inclusion in the manufacturing industry. The manufacturing sector is the backbone of any economy, and thus higher women’s participation in expanding this sector only augurs well for the nation’s growth.
Impact of women on Indian manufacturing
Women have been a positively ubiquitous energy driving the Indian manufacturing industry and have significantly impacted every facet of this inspirational growth story. It’s no longer a rare sight to see a woman shopfloor in charge of her safety helmet, overalls and boots, working with fellow factory workers hand-in-hand. With their creative attributes and boundless energy, women have helmed innovative solutions, which have helped to generate new jobs, upscale existing productions, and improve the quality of life for innumerable people. Their leadership has been invaluable in creating a more profitable manufacturing sector and a more equitable and inclusive society for all Indians.
India’s greatest strength is its favourable demographic dividend. With a young and hardworking workforce, the avenues for growth are limitless. An overwhelming percentage of untapped women workers is still eager to join this sector and contribute towards bolstering the Indian manufacturing sector. It is imperative that the industry swiftly works to attract, incorporate, and retain more women in its burgeoning production capacities. This will help reduce a woman’s financial dependency on others and lessen the wealth distribution disparity existing in society. Increasing the number of women in the manufacturing sector can help to reduce gender inequality, as well as help to create a more prosperous and equitable nation.
Challenges faced by women in the manufacturing industry
Despite women’s progress in the manufacturing sector, there are still several challenges that women face today. These include unequal access to resources, funding and support. Even though more women are in leadership positions than ever, outdated gender biases still exist, wherein their contributions go unrecognized. This often leads to meritorious women often being overlooked for managerial roles. According to a study published by the International Labour Organization and the World Bank titled “Economic Impacts of Reducing the Gender Gap”, currently, the composition of women in Indian manufacturing is between 3% (core engineering) – 12% (other engineering streams), compared to 27% – 40% employment in the services sector.
Additionally, there are still many cultural and societal barriers that women face in the manufacturing sector. These include a lack of access to education, training, professional networks and mentorships. According to socio-economic surveys conducted by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), of the 8 million workers employed in India’s formal manufacturing industries, women still contribute only 1.6 million or less than 20% of the workforce. To overcome these challenges, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for women in the manufacturing sector is imperative. This can include providing specialised skill training to women, creating policies and initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion and nurturing an ecosystem that is respectful and supportive of women from all walks of life.
Promoting women and government initiatives
In many colonial eras, labour laws were designed to hinder hiring more women in the manufacturing industry. This included the now abolished, infamous Section 66 of the Factories Act of 1948, which read that “no woman shall be allowed to work in any factory except between the hours of 6 am and 7 pm.” However, in a truly inspirational win for democracy and women’s suffrage, the parliament of India unanimously voted to amend this law in 2005. It enabled states to permit women in night shifts, provided safety protocols were maintained. Abolishing this archaic law, the Indian manufacturing industry became a shining beacon of equality and inclusion for all developing nations in South East Asia. It was a golden chapter in women achieving diversity in the workplace, as this decision by the Indian government directly led to a 7.4% increase in women’s participation in the manufacturing workforce, as noted by Indian Economic Survey.
As India continues to grow and prosper, there is still much to be achieved in creating policies galvanized towards promoting an ecosystem that has balanced gender parity. To promote the inclusion of more women in the manufacturing industry, there needs to be a transformation in the very perception of the sector. It is time to expand archaic boundaries to include more women across every stratum of our workforce. Companies can adopt policies that ensure equal opportunities, fair pay, and safe working conditions for women. It can also involve targeted recruitment programs, training and skill-building opportunities, mentorship, networking and leadership development programs.
Conclusion
During the early years of Indian manufacturing, women were often responsible for production and management in small-scale enterprises. As Indian society migrated from rural economies to industrial townships, hardworking women who had driven the local cottage industries moved to work in the upcoming manufacturing sector. Women who had once supported their families in agrarian, pastoral and allied ventures now took up new roles in the manufacturing sector. Transcending overwhelming obstacles placed before them, these industrious women put down their sickles. They championed sewing machines in textile and garment manufacturing, mastered packaging equipment in FMCG manufacturing, and conquered computer administration in digital manufacturing. Breaking all gender stereotypes, today, more women are entering the manufacturing workforce as entrepreneurs, managers, engineers, architects, quality control supervisors and designers than ever before. These enterprising women have played an instrumental role in developing the manufacturing industry and led India’s growth story.
Despite the rise and rise of women in all spheres of employment, nearly 20 million women dropped out of the active workforce in the last decade. It’s also known that out of all women joining India Inc., only 10% make it to leadership positions. For women to reach their true potential, empowered men and women need to mentor and empower other women.
We can celebrate these remarkable women’s persevering dedication and steadfast commitment by honouring them. If India is to develop to become one of the largest economies in the world, women’s participation cannot be overlooked and downplayed. Only by creating an environment that is supportive of women can India benefit from the unique skills and perspectives that women bring to the industry. This will help to create a more equitable and prosperous India. We must cherish and celebrate women for their exceptional contributions as they continue to drive India’s economic growth and progress.