India, Aug. 21 -- India's economic growth story is increasingly being evaluated not only by how fast the economy expands, but also by who participates in that growth and who benefits from it. As the economy becomes more technology-driven and climate-sensitive, women-centred livelihoods must evolve from a framework of inclusion to one of economic leadership and resilience. Participation alone is no longer enough.

Women today comprise a significant share of India's rural workforce. According to the latest PLFS Annual Report 2025, rural female labour force participation reached 45.9%, up from 37.5% in 2022. Yet women remain concentrated in low-income, labour-intensive segments of agriculture, livestock management, food systems and informal ...