Rajasthan needs collective action to boost women's participation in formal workforce: Officials
Jaipur, June 25
Rajasthan's ambition of becoming a $350 billion economy by 2030 will require greater participation of women in the formal workforce, industry leaders and government officials said, calling for coordinated efforts to address barriers related to safety, mobility, skilling and workplace inclusion.
The observations were made on Wednesday during an Industry Roundtable on "Advancing Women's Participation in Formal Employment" in Jaipur.
Speaking at the event, Rajkumar Meena, Rajasthan Directorate of Employment Joint Director, said that changing social perceptions and government interventions were creating new opportunities for women across sectors.
"Perceptions about women in the workforce are changing over time. The government has introduced several policy and legal measures that are helping increase women's participation across industries," Meena added.
Referring to recent policy initiatives, he said that provisions for women's safety during night shifts under the labour code and ongoing job fairs would further strengthen opportunities for women to join the workforce and become economically empowered.
The consultation brought together representatives from industry, government and workforce development organisations to discuss measures aimed at improving women's labour market outcomes.
Rishav Mandal, Rajasthan Skill and Livelihood Development Corporation (RSLDC) Managing Director, said that social and cultural barriers continued to limit employment opportunities for women.
"As Rajasthan advances towards its development goals, increasing women's participation in formal employment will require us to address not only skill and employment gaps, but also the social and cultural barriers that often limit women's choices," Mandal said.
Rekha Menon, Women's Economic Liberty Lead, IPE Global, said increasing women's participation in formal employment was essential for Rajasthan's growth ambitions.
"Women's participation is central to the state's growth ambitions. Increasing women's participation in formal employment requires collective action to address barriers related to mobility, workplace safety and social norms, and create an enabling ecosystem where more women can access and thrive in quality jobs," she added.
The roundtable focused on addressing challenges related to hiring, workplace inclusion, career progression, safety and retention of women employees.
The SheWorks initiative, implemented by IPE Global in partnership with RSLDC, aims to strengthen pathways from skilling to paid employment through stronger industry engagement and improved labour market linkages.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good to see policymakers acknowledging the cultural barriers. But let's be honest—Rajasthan's social fabric is deeply patriarchal. My own village still thinks women working in offices is 'shameful'. Changing perceptions will take at least a generation. Meanwhile, why not start with more women-friendly industrial zones and dedicated recruitment drives? The $350 billion target sounds ambitious, but without women, it's just a pipe dream.
Interesting approach from an economic perspective. In the West, we've seen that flexible work hours and remote options dramatically boosted female participation. India's cultural context is different, but the core principle remains: create safe, dignified, and flexible pathways. Rajasthan should look at successful models from Gujarat or Kerala. Also, kudos to the officials for holding this roundtable—awareness is the first step.
My sister works in a BPO in Jaipur and she says the night shift allowance is still a joke. Companies give it but the transport arranged is often unsafe. Also, the government should mandate harassment committees in every workplace—not just on paper. The stats won't improve until women feel safe and valued. Good initiative but implementation is key. 🔑
As someone who worked on gender inclusion projects in India, I'm encouraged by this roundtable. The mention of 'social and cultural barriers' is critical—they're often the invisible wall. One suggestion: partner with local women's self-help groups (SHGs) to build trust and provide mentorship. Rajasthan's rural women are incredibly resilient, they just need opportunities closer to home. What about more manufacturing units in smaller towns?
K Kavya N