India ranks 120 among 131 countries in female labor force participation rate. Female labour participation rate in India fell to a record low of 15.5% during the April-June 2020 quarter, when India imposed strict lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19 virus, as per the report, released by the Ministry of statistics . Mechanization of agriculture and modernization of industries have replaced women by men long back. Absence of higher education, job and digital skill are other reasons for women to remain without decent jobs. “ access to higher education , skill training and digital technology are the great enablers to reap the potential of female labour force” in India. More over, the government has to provide supporting services such as, scholarships and affordable women hostels to improve enrollment in higher education, easy credit for smart phones ,computer and two wheelers ,child care centers to take care of employed women , flexi time and work from home opportunities for women and strict enforcement women specific labour laws . Were India to rebalance its workforce opportunities India too can apply “womenomics” concept as Japan did some time ago and reaped the benefits. Gender job gaps end up costing the economy. It is hard to develop an inclusive and sustainable way when nearly half of the population remains unproductive. Were India to rebalance its workforce, the IMF estimates, the worlds biggest democracy would be 27% richer. Its people would be well on their way to middle-income status.
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