Rupee Revolution: How Indian Women Are Bankrolling Their Own Futures

With International Women's Day 2025 looming, the emphasis on women's economic independence has never been more intense. Latest statistics from the Economic Survey 2025 show a huge gender pay gap, with women self-employed workers receiving just a third of what their male counterparts receive. In spite of this gap, women's labor force participation is increasing, with the female labor force participation rate going up from 23.3% during 2017-18 to 41.7% during 2023-24. Government schemes such as Mudra Yojana and Start-Up India seek to enable women entrepreneurs, while fellowships such as the WomenLeaders India Fellowship enable social sector leaders. President Droupadi Murmu highlights that economic independence is essential for empowering women and the development of India. As we celebrate the success of women, the demand for equal opportunities and equitable wages is still pressing.

 

Sources: CNBC TV18, World Bank, Reliance Foundation