Mobility: Key to Unlocking Womens Workforce Potential in India

A report by Uber and Oxford Economics highlights the significant impact of mobility on womens workforce participation in India. Improved mobility can increase womens participation by 4-6.9% in cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai, potentially adding 0.32-0.56 million women to the workforce and boosting local economies.

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A recent report by Uber and Oxford Economics highlights the significant impact that access to mobility can have on women's participation in the workforce in India. The report, based on a survey conducted across five major Indian cities, reveals that increased mobility can potentially increase women's workforce participation by 4 to 6.9 percent by 2028.

Key Findings of the Report

The report presents several key findings that underscore the importance of mobility in enhancing women's workforce participation:

• Access to mobility can boost the number of women in the workforce in the surveyed cities (Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai) by 0.32 million to 0.56 million.
• Increased mobility can lead to an over one percent increase in the size of the economies in these cities.
• Four out of 10 working women riders surveyed agreed that ride-hailing services enabled them to join the workforce, overcoming key barriers to employment.
• Half of the working women surveyed felt that ride-hailing played a crucial role in helping them balance work and family responsibilities.
• Approximately 75 percent of women who use cabs to commute to work cited safety as the primary reason for their choice.
• One in three (32 percent) working women riders agreed that ride-hailing allowed them to access a wider range of suitable work opportunities, expanding their career prospects.

Union Minister's Perspective

Speaking at the release of the report, Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani emphasized the importance of mobility in improving women's workforce participation and increasing their enrollment in higher education. She highlighted the low transition rate of women from completing their 12th standard to enrolling in higher education institutions, which stands at less than 25 percent. Minister Irani expressed her belief that improving the affordability of mobility could significantly increase the number of women accessing higher education.

The report's findings underscore the urgent need to address mobility challenges faced by women in India. By enhancing access to safe, affordable, and reliable transportation, we can empower women to participate more fully in the workforce, contribute to economic growth, and achieve their full potential. Policymakers, urban planners, and transportation providers must collaborate to create inclusive mobility solutions that break down barriers and enable women to thrive in all aspects of life.