Maternity and childcare benefits, Mission Shakti fuelled women's workforce participation: Govt

New Delhi, Oct 13 (IANS) A slew of reforms, such as maternity and childcare benefits, Mission Shakti, have fostered the continued growth of women’s workforce participation in India, the government said on Monday.

According to data from the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the female Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) increased from 23.3 per cent in 2017-18 to 41.7 per cent in 2023-24.

Worker Population Ratio (WPR) for women aged 15 years and above rose from 22 per cent in 2017-18 to 40.3 per cent in 2023-24, LFPR increased from 23.3 per cent to 41.7 per cent.

“More recently, female WPR rose to 32.0 per cent in August 2025 from 31.6 per cent in July 2025 and 30.2 per cent in June 2025, and female LFPR increased to 33.7 per cent in August 2025 from 33.3 per cent in July 2025 and 32.0 per cent in June 2025,” as per an official statement.

The latest payroll data from the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) also showcases the growing trend of formal employment among women.

“During 2024-25, 26.9 lakh net female subscribers were added to EPFO. In July 2025, about 2.80 lakh new female subscribers joined, and the net female payroll addition stood at about 4.42 lakh, asserting today’s more inclusive and diverse workforce,” said an official statement.

The government noted that several legal benefits, such as safeguarding maternity benefits with maternity and child welfare, preventing sexual harassment, equal pay, and security, drove the participation rate for women.

Further, a range of employment and skill development initiatives across Ministries aim to enhance women’s participation in the workforce, equipping them with market-relevant skills, entrepreneurial opportunities, and pathways to economic independence.

While the Ministry of Women and Child Development’s online SHe-Box portal works to prevent sexual harassment of women at the workplace, Mission Shakti aims at strengthening interventions for women's safety, security, and empowerment.

“Over the last decade, India is witnessing an unprecedented transformation in women’s workforce participation. With landmark reforms, expanding skill development, enhanced maternity and childcare benefits, and initiatives like Mission Shakti, the government has created a strong foundation for inclusive and supportive workplaces," the statement said.

“As India moves towards the vision of a Viksit Bharat@2047, the empowerment of women at work is not just a priority -- it is a defining force of national progress. By ensuring safe, equitable, and opportunity-rich workplaces, the country is unlocking the potential of half its population, laying the path for a stronger, more inclusive, and globally competitive India," it added.

--IANS

rvt/