Which Is The Best City For Women In India In 2023? The Answer Is...

In terms of inclusivity and conduciveness to working women in 2023, Chennai has been identified as the top Indian city, according to findings from the diversity, equity, and inclusivity consultant Avtar Group's Top Cities for Women in India (TCWI) 2023. Both categories covered by the study, which included 49 cities in the million-plus population category and 64 cities in the less than a million-population category, were topped by cities in Tamil Nadu, according to Business Today.

The million-plus category was led by Chennai, while Tiruchirappalli secured the top position in the less than a million category. The southern state featured a total of seven cities, including Coimbatore (Million plus), Tiruchirappalli, Vellore, Salem, Erode, and Tirupur (Less than a million), in the lists.

How city rankings and scoring systems are evaluated?

Ranked based on a City Inclusion Score (CIS), the study evaluated cities on three pillars:

1. Social Inclusion Score (SIS): Examining the external social environment, including safety, women's employment rates, and the overall quality of life concerning education, health, housing, water, sanitation, mobility, and recreation.

2. Industrial Inclusion Score (IIS): Assessing the inclusivity of women across industries in the city's organizational landscape.

3. Citizen Experience Score (CES): Deriving data from a pan-Indian survey of working women to establish a Citizen Experience Score.

Chennai: Best city for women in India

Chennai secured the top position among cities with a million-plus population and maintained its first-place rank in SIS. However, its IIS rating slipped by 1, now standing second to Bengaluru. The national CIS average was 21.59, significantly lower than Chennai's 48.42, indicating limited conduciveness for women in most parts of the country.

Despite its notorious reputation for crimes against women, Delhi entered the top 10, securing the 8th rank. However, its SIS rank slipped by eight positions to 27, reported Business Today. The study emphasized the crucial role of women's workforce participation in India's goal to become a $5 trillion economy by 2025. It highlighted the impact of fostering diversity, equity, and social equity within organizations and society at large.

The TCWI 2023 study conducted an open survey from July 2023 to December 2023, with nearly 1100 women participating across 53 cities. Additionally, 16 focus group discussions were held in different cities, involving 112 women sharing their lived experiences, as reported by BT.

Further, Dr Saundarya Rajesh, Founder-President of Avtar Group, underscored the importance of creating environments where women can thrive, lead, and contribute to their full potential. She emphasized the study's role as a clarion call to establish equitable pathways for increased women's workforce participation, aligning with the vision of making India a developed nation by 2027 as envisioned by the Honorable Prime Minister.