The Northeastern states in India have more women occupying managerial positions, finds the latest report on Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) released recently.
States like Meghalaya (34.1%), Sikkim (33.5%), and Mizoram (33.3%) are leading the list, followed by Andhra and Punjab at 32.3% and 32.1%, respectively.
The trend also shows that rural parts of the country have a higher number of them in key positions than in urban areas, at 21.4% and 16.4% respectively, say news reports.
The PLFS annual report has also shown that the Northeastern part of the country has outperformed the rest of India when it comes to legislators and senior officials. With over 50% of them in Manipur, Meghalaya, and Sikkim, Andhra follows in the 4th spot at 47.9%. When it comes to professional and technical workers, Sikkim at 120.2%, is followed by Meghalaya (101.5%), and Kerala (91.6%).
The numbers are heartening at a time when the low levels of women in the workforce are a concern. However, it is a long way to go for the rest of the country, as at the all-India level, it is only 23.2%.
The higher levels of participation by women in the workforce is an indication that higher levels of literacy result in more entering the workforce.
The recent data on women in managerial levels is significant as the difference in percentage across levels has been stark for a while now. Avtar has been batting for more women in C-suite roles, offering strategies to increase the number through DEI initiatives like mentoring, up-skilling, and career sponsorship.
