Solving Delhi’s Women and Work Puzzle
Delhi is one of India’s most educated cities for women. But when it comes to their employment, it ranks among the lowest. Only about 1 in 5 women here is in the workforce.
If Delhi’s women are studying more than most others then what stops them from working?
This is not just about jobs. It translates into lower representation in decision-making, reduced participation in wealth creation, fewer women in leadership and limited everyday agency.
We think we know the reasons. Conjectures vary from family expectations, safety concerns, childcare responsibilities, lack of opportunities and many more.
But how often do we actually pause and ask women themselves what is getting in the way?
In a first-of-its-kind district-level study across Delhi led by Vedica For Women and FICCI YFLO, and conducted by Nikore Associates, we engaged directly with women to understand their aspirations, choices and experiences of work.
What we heard was more nuanced and hopeful than the usual assumptions.
Join us on 9 April for a deep dive into what could help women enter the workforce, stay in it and thrive.
We invite you to join a thoughtful conversation on what needs to change — in social structures, in workplaces, in urban systems and policy, and in how we understand women’s individual journeys.
Agenda
2:30 PM - Registration
2:45 PM - Welcome & Context Setting by Anuradha Das Mathur, Founder of Vedica for Women
3:00-3:15 PM - Opening Keynote Address by Ms. Rashmi Singh, IAS, Secretary, Department of Women and Child Development (Government of NCT of Delhi)
3:20-4:00 PM - Panel 1: Delhi’s women and their relationship with work: reading between the lines
A discussion on why many educated women still struggle to enter and stay in paid work, and what needs to change in jobs, workplaces and urban systems. This conversation unpacks key findings of the study and explores the factors shaping workforce entry and retention. Moderated by Anuradha Das Mathur
Speakers:
Mitali Nikore, Founder Nikore Associates
Sindhuja Penumarty, YP, EAC-PM
Urvashi Butalia, Founder Zubaan Books
Mandakini Kaul, South Asia Regional Coordinator at World Bank Group
4:00 - 4:40 PM- Panel 2: From Evidence to Action - Solving the Women’s Work Puzzle
A forward-looking discussion on how to address the large share of women not entering the workforce by strengthening entry pathways, rethinking care support, building policy incentives and creating stronger industry–education partnerships to inspire and enable participation. Moderated by Anuradha Das Mathur
Speakers:
Aaradhana Dalmia, Chairperson, YFLO Delhi
Ipsita Kathuria, Founder and CEO, Talentnomics India
Kanta Singh, Country Representative UN Women India
Prof Swati Pal, Principal - Janki Devi College
Dr Farzana Afridi, Professor of Economics at the Indian Statistical Institute (Delhi)
4:40PM - Closing Keynote by Ms. Anna Roy, Senior Advisor - Women Entrepreneurship & Empowerment, NITI Aayog
4:50 PM - Closing remarks and High tea