Authored by: Nikita Kumawat, MD, Brandworks Technologies Pvt Ltd
Over the past few decades, an increasing number of Indian women have departed from their traditional role as home-makers and entered the workforce. By exploring job opportunities in the manufacturing industry, women are fostering a culture where they can work side-by-side with their male colleagues, contributing to the growth and success of their companies.
In the past, the idea of men exclusively working on factory floors was commonplace. They were considered the most suitable candidates for tasks such as constructing machinery and working on the strenuous assembly lines of shop floors. However, with India’s increasing focus on gender diversity, we are now witnessing a greater number of women working on these shop floors. Today, numerous manufacturing units across the country are actively promoting women’s participation in manufacturing operations, creating an environment where they can perform on equal footing with their male colleagues.
Despite significant progress made by the manufacturing industry in terms of female participation, we still have a long way to go. According to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), women currently constitute only 37% of the manufacturing workforce.
Research conducted by GE and Avtar indicates that women constitute a mere 12% of India’s manufacturing sector, which employs approximately 27.3 million individuals. Although the representation of women in this sector is relatively low, it is important to acknowledge the significant progress made by this 12% in carving out a distinct space for themselves and paving the way for future generations to pursue roles in a field that has historically been male-dominated.
Women have been breaking down barriers and shattering stereotypes in the manufacturing industry for years, but there is still much work to be done. Manufacturing jobs are considered an important source of employment for developing countries. Given that women still form the bulk of the workforce in India – this channel of employment may be particularly important for them and Brandworks supports skilling as many women as possible.
From designing and building complex machinery to leading teams of engineers, we are ensuring women feel as capable for their skills. They are adept in learning equipment, dealing with components, problem-solving, and leading the unit. I sincerely believe there is no need of reverse discrimination for the gender, we just need to value their efforts more neutrally. As more women enter the manufacturing workforce, we can look forward to a more diverse and inclusive industry that benefits everyone.
