The regional dialogue and subsequent brief have been made possible by funding from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MOGEF) of the Government of the Republic of Korea through the project “Gender-Responsive COVID-19 Recovery in India.” 

UN Women in India has adopted a multi-pronged approach to advance the goal of gender equality through interventions that support the formulation of gender policies and norms at par with global standards. Our Inter-governmental Processes (IGP) programme works with the Government of India in supporting an enabling environment necessary for the fulfillment of India’s international commitments to advance the goal of gender equality. Through the Generation Equality Forum (GEF) initiative, we provide a platform for dialogue and action on gender-based issues. Our support of global peacekeeping efforts has ensured that women play a decisive leadership role in UN humanitarian and peacekeeping efforts. UN Women has an important role in working across the UN in India, supporting and coordinating the UN system’s work in support of gender equality and the empowerment of women.

This document is a snapshot of the extent to which, and in what ways, women and women’s rights organisations (WROs) have led and participated meaningfully in the COVID-19 response and recovery in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. This research was conducted through consultation with key actors utilizing the Framework for Measuring Women’s Leadership and Meaningful Participation in COVID-19 Responses.

In India, there are multiple laws to ensure gender equality in the corporate sector. Women continue to be underrepresented in the corporate sector. Globally women make up only 17 per cent of the board of directors in listed companies and 10 per cent of higher management. In this research study, we examined the implementation effectiveness of three recent laws introduced to strengthen commitment to gender equality in the Indian corporate sector.

UN Women's Office in India, based in New Delhi, works with the Government of India, other UN agencies, civil society, the private sector and influencers to achieve India's strategic priorities for women's advancement. Our programmes focus on upholding women's human rights and providing opportunities for women and girls to live up to their full potential.

UN Women’s Second Chance Education and Vocational Learning Programme enables women to re-enter formal education, access vocational training, learn entrepreneurial skills, and connects them to employment and business opportunities.

UN Women India supports the National and State Governments prepare their gender bud- gets. Gender budgets are budgets that plan and meet the needs of women. We have helped prepare gender budgets within sectors such as agriculture, urban development, and village council development

Check out the profiles of the 2020 gender champions and learn the impacts they have created in enabling a more gender-equal business world.

Check out the profiles of the 2020 gender champions and learn the impacts they have created in enabling a more gender-equal business world.

Check out the profiles of the 2020 gender champions and learn the impacts they have created in enabling a more gender-equal business world

Check out the profiles of the 2020 gender champions and learn the impacts they have created in enabling a more gender-equal business world.

Check out the profiles of the 2020 gender champions and learn the impacts they have created in enabling a more gender-equal business world.

Check out the profiles of the 2020 gender champions and learn the impacts they have created in enabling a more gender-equal business world.

The World Economic Forum says that at the current rate of change, it will take 108 years to close the overall gender gap and 202 years to bring parity in the workplace. India has one of the lowest female labour force participation rates in the world and a majority of women work in the informal sector.

Women’s Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Energy programme aims to mitigate the barriers Indian women face as entrepreneurs and consumers of clean energy, by partnering with producers, stakeholders and distributors in energy value chains. Since 2017, UN Women has undertaken various efforts to provide clean energy through this programme. One such process was partnering with S4S Technologies and implementing the Promoting Women’s Entrepreneurship through Solar Drying project.

The “UN Women impact stories series”, updated quarterly, illustrates the human impact of UN Women’s work across Asia and the Pacific, highlighting the partnerships that make this work possible. These stories share how we and our many partners are striding forward to realize a better world for women and girls—one of equality and empowerment because that is what we do and who we are, as a leader, mobilizer, convenor, and provider of programmes.

UN Women’s Second Chance Education and Vocational Learning Programme enables women to re-enter formal education, learn vocational and entrepreneurial skills and connects them to employment and business opportunities. Since 2018, it has impacted more than 15,000 women in India from some of the poorest and most vulnerable areas.

Women entrepreneurs have always faced multiple challenges—from lack of working capital to difficulties in coordination of their businesses due to their care and domestic responsibilities. These obstacles have only increased since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. 70% of women entrepreneurs reported being ineligible for credit under the recently launched Government of India’s AtmaNirbhar Bharat economic stimulus package.

In 2010, UN Women and UN Global Compact Network developed the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs). Forged through an international multi-stakeholder consultative process, the WEPs provide a “gender lens” through which business can analyse current initiatives, benchmarks and reporting practices. Informed by real-life business practices, the Principles help companies tailor existing policies and practices – or establish needed new ones – to realize women’s empowerment in the workplace, marketplace and communities.

At the same time the world is witnessing changing future of work and women’s share in the gig economy is increasing. Reports indicate positive aspects of this growth, such as the financial independence women gain from entering this economy as well as enhancement in the sense of self-identity for those who participate in the economy through platforms that help them advertise and sell their goods and services. However, this area is also fraught with challenges for women. While the ease of doing business that comes from using digital platforms clearly facilitates women’s participation, it also renders them susceptible to sudden changes in employment opportunities or fluctuations in the economy.