The manufacturing sector has traditionally been dominated by men; not only in India, but the world over. Despite considerable progress in gender equality across various industries, the manufacturing sector continues to see low participation by women.
What could be the reasons for the disproportionate employment of men and women in this industry? What are the challenges faced by women? And how can the industry create more opportunities for women? This blog explores these questions with a focus on India.
Women in manufacturing in India: Status quo
India’s manufacturing sector contributes significantly to the country’s GDP, but women’s participation remains strikingly low. According to statistics, women constitute only about 20 to 25% of India’s manufacturing workforce.
Several government initiatives aim to increase women’s participation in manufacturing. Programs like “Make in India” have components focused on gender inclusion, while skill development programs offer specialised training for women in technical trades. Despite these efforts, progress has been incremental rather than transformative.
Challenges
1. Location and physical infrastructure
Manufacturing facilities are often located in the outskirts and remote locations, making daily travel difficult and unsafe for women. Moreover, factories are often designed with male workers in mind; for instance, heavy machinery and tools, inadequate separate restroom facilities, and lack of equipment for lifting heavy items requiring manual labour are some barriers to women.
2. Work hours and safety concerns
Many manufacturing facilities follow shift-based operations involving night shifts, which poses challenges for women. Moreover, in India, women have family and child responsibilities as well, which makes it difficult for them to work night shifts. Although there are legal provisions for women’s safety during night shifts, their implementation is inconsistent.
3. Societal perception
Across cultures, manufacturing is often perceived as ‘male’ work. This perception is particularly strong in rural areas and traditional communities. Women face social resistance when entering the manufacturing industry. Despite technological advancements on shop floors, working in factories is considered to be physically demanding, dirty and unsuitable for women.
4. Skills and education gap
In India, while higher education for females has improved, gender disparity still persists in engineering and technical education, particularly in fields related to manufacturing. Moreover, the lack of women in leadership positions creates a cycle of underrepresentation. Without role models, younger women tend to avoid working in manufacturing.
Opportunities
To reach its 2030 economic goal of US $ 7 trillion, India must increase the proportion of women in its manufacturing workforce. The World Bank estimates that India’s GDP growth would increase by 1% if the country’s female labour force participation rate rises from 25% to 50%. Here are some opportunities for improving the percentage of women workers in India’s manufacturing sector:
1. Industry 4.0 and technological advancement
Technological advancement is transforming manufacturing with automation, AI, robotics, and digital technologies. This evolution could reduce the emphasis on physical strength and create more knowledge-based roles, potentially levelling the playing field for women.
2. Changing perceptions and role models
Successful women leaders in manufacturing can gradually change perceptions. Companies featuring these role models in recruitment materials and public communications can help reshape the industry’s image and inspire more women to join the manufacturing sector.
3. Corporate diversity initiatives
Many multinational corporations have implemented targeted diversity programs in their manufacturing operations. These include mentoring programs, women-focused recruitment strategies, and policies addressing work-life balance. Corporate policies favourable to the women workforce help increase women’s representation in manufacturing.
Women at BFW
BFW is one of the few gender-inclusive machine tool manufacturing companies in India, committed to employing 30% of women engineers. BFW’s Managing Director, Ravi Raghavan, says, “Our facilities support women through training, technology, and inclusive policies.”
Women bring valuable analytical expertise and fresh perspectives to BFW’s leadership, management, R&D, and factory operations. From the company’s Director, Mrs. P.D. Kothari, to shop floor workers, women at BFW are empowered throughout the organisation. When Mrs. Kothari joined as Director, women in manufacturing leadership were rare, making her contributions particularly significant.
Despite initial challenges in implementing diversity, BFW’s “Growth Engine” project transformed a 30-hour manufacturing process to just 45 minutes, enabling less experienced workers to succeed while focusing on value creation. Today, women at BFW perform complex machine geometry tasks—a rare skill globally—and every machine passes through the hands of multiple women workers.
Conclusion
While significant challenges remain for women in manufacturing, both in India and globally, technological advancements and changing workplace cultures present opportunities for progress. Concerted efforts from policymakers, educational institutions, and industry leaders are essential to transform manufacturing into a genuinely inclusive sector. By addressing structural barriers and challenging entrenched stereotypes, the manufacturing industry can tap into the full potential of female talent and creativity.
