Automation paves way for women in originally male-dominated manufacturing sector

As India aims to become a US$ 35 trillion economy by 2047, the manufacturing sector is increasingly embracing automation, which is expected to boost the recruitment of women and promote greater inclusivity, according to a senior executive at TeamLease Services. Chief Strategy Officer at TeamLease, Mr. Subburathinam P, noted that automation is being introduced in phases within traditionally male-dominated sectors, leading to a rise in female recruitment. He emphasized that this trend would continue as automation becomes more widespread.

Despite these advancements, challenges remain, including entrenched societal norms, a lack of diverse role models, and poor work-life balance. Women are currently underrepresented in India's manufacturing sector, making up only 15-20% of the workforce. However, sectors rapidly adopting automation, such as electric vehicles (EV) and telecom ancillary OEMs, are making significant efforts to increase female representation. Notable progress is evident in the electronics sector, where women account for 70-80% of the workforce, and in textiles and apparel, which traditionally employ a higher percentage of women. Conversely, automation adoption remains slow in male-dominated sectors like basic and fabricated metals, machinery, and chemicals, where gender imbalances persist.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.