India, poised to reach 1.04 billion working-age individuals by 2030, stands on the brink of a significant demographic dividend. This underscores the urgency to seize this window of opportunity to maximize the potential of our workforce and drive economic growth. India’s demographic dividend is expected to persist at least until 2055–56 and will peak around 2041. However, without significantly increasing employment opportunities for women, there is a risk of undermining our potential for sustainable economic growth. Afterall, according to an ORF Study, providing equal opportunities for women could contribute an impressive US$ 770 billion to India’s GDP.
By providing highly specialised training in new-age and industry relevant skills, stakeholders are increasing employability of the youth. The Skill India Mission has been continuously striving to expand infrastructure for women’s training and apprenticeships, along with introducing flexible training methods. Take, for example, the National Skill Development Corporation has been reshaping the retail landscape with the Super Power Retailer Program with a focus on training women in retail management and customer service. With more women joining the workforce, there is an increase in the proportion of wage earners to dependents and a decrease in the dependency ratio.
Beyond economic gains — confidence and self-worth
The Super Power Retailer Program hasn’t just provided economic benefits but has also instilled confidence and a sense of self-worth in the participants. Today, women stand as role models in their communities, inspiring others to gradually shift societal norms by pursuing education and careers. Such tailored programs that address the specific needs of women are also critical for effective empowerment — from vocational training in traditional crafts to digital literacy programs, ensuring that women are not left behind in the rapidly evolving job market.
The ripple effect of women’s economic empowerment is undeniable, leading to more resilient and prosperous communities. Their participation in the labour force and entrepreneurship not only fuels economic growth, but also contributes diverse perspectives and skills that foster innovation, improve decision-making, and increase productivity. For example, microfinance initiatives have empowered women in rural and underdeveloped regions to start businesses, increasing their household incomes and contributing to local economic resilience, challenging entrenched patriarchal norms.
Elevate women, shape better futures
In today’s corporate landscape, where diversity and inclusivity are fundamental values, creating an ecosystem where women have access to quality education, mentorship, and job opportunities has become the need of the hour. Going forward, our initiatives should focus on scaling successful programs, ensuring access to remote and marginalised communities, ensuring awareness for lifelong learning, and integrating technology to enhance learning outcomes.
For skilling to be truly effective for women in India, training programs must adopt a gender-sensitive design that acknowledges the unique challenges women face in today’s world. This will ensure that women not only enter the formal workforce but also sustain it. By investing in women’s education and skills, India will be able to unlock the full potential of its rural workforce, driving sustainable development and shared prosperity for all.
—The author, Irene Tan, is VP– HR at Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia. The views are personal.
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