At the Rising Bharat Summit 2025, hosted by Network18, Dr Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director of Apollo Hospitals Group and Chairperson of G20 Empower India, delivered a compelling address on the urgent need to prioritize women in the Indian workforce. She shed light on the stark reality of the gender gap and emphasized the transformative economic impact that closing this gap could bring.

The Unacknowledged Workforce

Dr Reddy began by sharing powerful statistics that reflect the current state of women's participation in India’s labour force. There are 483 million Indian women of working age, but only a fraction of them are active in the formal workforce. She highlighted that 343 million women are employed in the unorganised sector, which remains largely invisible in national GDP calculations and policy narratives.

This massive section of women workers—often involved in domestic help, agricultural labour, small-scale manufacturing, and self-run ventures—goes unacknowledged despite their economic contributions. According to Reddy, the lack of official recognition for this sector has led to a gross underestimation of women’s actual role in driving India's economy.

The GDP Potential: A $770 Billion Opportunity

One of the most compelling points made by Dr Reddy was the potential GDP impact of gender parity in the workforce. She estimated that if women were given equal opportunities, pay, and access to resources, their contribution to GDP could leap to over $770 billion. This massive figure represents not just an economic forecast, but a missed opportunity that India can no longer afford to overlook.

Dr Reddy noted that the entrepreneurial spirit and desire for relevance and financial independence are already visible among women across the country. However, systemic issues—such as unequal access to education, societal expectations, gender bias, and lack of infrastructure—continue to hinder women’s full economic participation.

A Moment for Change

Calling it a “beautiful moment in time,” Dr Reddy suggested that India stands at a critical juncture where it can leverage the spirit and potential of its women workforce. According to her, “the potential and spirit are there, and women who have been given an opportunity have made it happen.”

She stressed that corrective action is required at multiple levels—from government policy to corporate hiring practices, from education to financial access. She advocated for:

• Equal pay for equal work

• Better skill-building and educational support

• More formal employment opportunities

• Improved access to healthcare, childcare and flexible work models

G20 Empower India’s Role

As the chairperson of G20 Empower India, Dr Reddy’s insights carry global relevance. The G20 Empower initiative seeks to accelerate women’s leadership and inclusion in business globally, and India’s leadership in this space can set an example for emerging economies. The G20 platform, under her leadership, has already worked on policy recommendations and partnerships focused on women's economic empowerment.

Dr Reddy’s statements at the Rising Bharat Summit reinforce India’s commitment to gender equality, especially in the context of its ambitions to become a $5 trillion economy.

Addressing the Unorganised Sector

Highlighting the issue of informal employment, Dr Reddy underscored how millions of women are working in roles that do not provide job security, social benefits, or recognition. She urged that data collection mechanisms must be improved to map these workers, and schemes must be tailored to support and empower them.

She pointed out that while the government has launched schemes like MUDRA loans, Stand-Up India, and SHG support, there is still a long way to go in integrating these women into formal frameworks.

Breaking the Structural Barriers

The biggest hurdle, she explained, is societal conditioning and structural barriers. From education access for girls, to mentorship for aspiring women leaders, and enabling infrastructure like transport and safety—India must address these bottlenecks to ensure women’s economic participation is not hindered.

She also called on corporates to adopt inclusive hiring, support mentorship programs, and focus on retaining women through various life stages—especially during maternity and mid-career shifts.

India’s Path Forward

As India pushes towards its development and digital economy goals, inclusive growth is not just a slogan—it’s a necessity. Dr Sangita Reddy’s remarks at the Rising Bharat Summit serve as both a wake-up call and a roadmap for India to recognize, empower, and uplift its women workforce.

Her call for multi-level reforms—including policy changes, corporate interventions, and societal mindset shifts—aligns with broader national goals and is backed by solid economic logic.

The road to gender equity in employment will not be easy, but with concerted efforts, innovative policy making, and a change in cultural narratives, India has a historic opportunity to lead the world in inclusive growth.

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