Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya pointed out that the female labor force participation rate in India has risen significantly from 23.3% in 2017–18 to 40% in 2025, showcasing the growing empowerment of women in the nation. Speaking at the ‘SwigStree: Celebrating Women on the Move’ event by Swiggy, the minister emphasized the importance of women’s equal involvement in the workforce for both social and economic reasons, stating that empowering women is crucial for the development of a Viksit Bharat.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has seen a surge in opportunities for women, leading to a remarkable enhancement in female employment indicators. The Female Labor Force Participation Rate has surged from 23.3% in 2017–18 to 40% in 2025. Additionally, the Female Worker Population Ratio has increased from 22% to nearly 39%, while the Female Unemployment Rate has dropped from 5.6% to 3.1%, indicating improved employment prospects for women.
Minister Mandaviya highlighted the substantial expansion of India’s social security coverage over the past decade, growing from 19% in 2015 to over 64.3% in 2025, reflecting the impact of continuous policy efforts in areas like labor law reform, digital inclusion, and targeted welfare delivery. He also emphasized the significance of the four Labor Codes implemented last November, underscoring the transformative changes they bring, including the formal recognition of gig and platform workers in the Code on Social Security.
