Remarkable rise in UP’s women labour force : WEE Report

Uttar Pradesh is witnessing a transformative shift in women’s economic empowerment. The state’s female labour force participation rate has seen a remarkable rise—to 36 per cent in 2023-24 from just 14 per cent in 2017-18—says a report.

This 22 per cent surge marks not just a statistical improvement but a deeper social and economic change, highlighting the increasing presence of women in various sectors of the workforce, says the recently released Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Index report.

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Officials here on Friday said that the growth is being widely attributed to the consistent efforts and targeted policies of the Yogi Adityanath government, which has placed women’s empowerment at the core of its development agenda. From skill development programs and self-employment initiatives to financial inclusion and safety-focused schemes, the government has laid a comprehensive foundation to encourage and support women to step out and participate actively in the economy, officials added.

The WEE Index reflects a changing narrative where women in Uttar Pradesh are emerging as key drivers of economic and social progress; no longer on the sidelines, they are now shaping the future of their families, communities, and the state.

When Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took charge of Uttar Pradesh in 2017-18, the number of women working in the state was much lower than the national average. However, over the past seven years, the state government has made continuous efforts to create a safe, respectful, and productive work environment for women. From improving women’s safety and launching the Mission Shakti program, to giving women priority in government jobs, allowing them to work night shifts, and increasing job opportunities in industries, women have been placed at the centre of all policy decisions.

According to the latest report, India’s female labour force participation rate in 2023-24 was 45 per cent, while Uttar Pradesh has reached 36 per cent. Although still slightly behind the national average, this is a major improvement compared to 2017-18, when UP’s rate was only 14 per cent, far below the national average of 25 per cent at that time. This shows that Uttar Pradesh has made significant progress and has worked hard to close the gap.

While the central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched several schemes for women’s empowerment, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has made sure those goals are turned into reality on the ground in Uttar Pradesh.

Several landmark decisions were taken by the state government to enhance women’s participation in the industrial workforce and empower them economically. In a major step, the government has allowed women to work in all 29 categories of factories that were earlier classified as hazardous and prohibited for female workers across the country.

Initially, conditional permission was given for only 12 categories; it was later extended to 16. Now, Uttar Pradesh has removed the restrictions altogether, allowing women to be employed in all 29 sectors under specific safety and health conditions. Employers must strictly follow safety guidelines to ensure a secure and supportive working environment for women.

In another progressive move, the state government has also permitted women to work night shifts, provided employers arrange proper safety, transportation, food, and rest facilities. This is intended to help women work fearlessly in late hours and open new employment avenues in sectors that operate round-the-clock.

According to the Labour and Employment Department, women now account for 53 per cent of registrations on the e-Shram portal, and 34.65 per cent of workers in the construction sector are women. These figures reflect a significant transformation, showing that women’s participation in the workforce is no longer just a policy on paper—it is becoming a visible and impactful reality.

Additionally, the government has helped form over 10 lakh self-help groups, connecting more than 1 crore women with income-generating activities. This initiative has boosted women’s entrepreneurship and self-reliance across both urban and rural areas.