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Women in India form 48% of the population but contribute just 18% of economic growth (Economic Survey). Padrayats involve 1.3 million leaders out of 2.2 million total who are women. Women form the backbone of grassroot movement. Examples include: 1) Lakshmipati Dalia 2) Ancillary Health Worker (ASHA) 3) Various NGOs and SHGs by women (eg MAKAAM, Lijjat Papad) 4) Entrepreneurialism and Ecofeminism (Vandana Shiva) - examples: Nayarupa Darbee Hasdalan and Medha Patkar. However, women remain largely invisible and excluded. Issues include: 1) Low land ownership in agriculture (48% of labour but just 13%)

Continued challenges include: 2) Feminization of Poverty 3) Lack of economic integration of the care economy - McKinsey study shows 25% of care work is done by women 4) Border Gap and large scale inequality - WEF (Gender gap report - Rank 13) for India 5) Low leadership representation - Only 13.6% of MPs in Lok Sabha 6) Practice of patriarchal norms (eg Pradhor Patti) 7) Health and education problems - 97 Maternal mortality rate. Need for Inclusion requires: 1) Promote employment and skilling

Solutions and policy measures include: Increase would GDP by 28 trillion by equal women LFPR 2) Increase integration of care economy - Increase LFPR from current 37% (BFS) 3) Promote self-employment and gig-work through National Rural Livelihood Mission 4) Promote women in leadership position through Navi Shakti Vanden Adhikaryan 5) Asset ownership and security through PM AWAS - 12.7 women owners 6) Penalize for patriarchal practise 7) Skilling and health betterment through PM Bauhal Vikas Yojana and PM Matru Vandana Yojana. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar stated: "I measure the progress of a society by looking at the progress that women have achieved."

— Aditya Talwar · AIR 270