Zubaan #2

This is the second edition of Zubaan. ‘Zubaan’ has its roots in Hindi and Urdu, and has often symbolised voice and agency. In this bi-weekly newsletter, I hope to explore gender gaps and progress in South Asia. Over time, I hope Zubaan acts a forum that gives voice to researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and journalists to discuss gender dynamics in the region.

In this edition, I examine a recent 麦肯锡 report that highlights the urgency of addressing India’s below-replacement fertility rate and potential population decline post-2061. A 10-percentage-point increase in FLFP could boost GDP per capita by 4-5%. I highlight the progress made on integrating women into the workforce in STEM industries focusing on progress made in the electronics, semiconductors, and manufacturing industries by Micron and Foxconn amongst others. In India, cities like Bengaluru lead the way in inclusivity as per Avatar’s recent survey. I highlight Pakistan and Bangladesh’s efforts in enhancing women’s economic participation, focusing on financial inclusion and entrepreneurship. Pakistan’s National Financial Inclusion Strategy aims to reduce the gender gap in financial access, while Bangladesh emphasizes policy innovations and support for women entrepreneurs.

Finally, I recommend Abhijit Banerjee’s latest – ‘Chhaunk: On Food, Economics, and Society,’ in which he offers a thought-provoking analysis of FLFP through the lens of family expectations and societal pressures. Highlighting his late mother Nirmala Banerjee’s research, he underscores how early marriage-focused upbringing deprives Indian women of financial independence and the joys of early adulthood. Banerjee ties aspirations to the freedom of choice, symbolized poignantly in cooking, ending with a call for empowered, self-determined lives.

India

India’s Demographics and Female Labor Force Participation (FLFP) Rates:?

A recently released 麦肯锡 report titled “Dependency and depopulation? Confronting the consequences of a new demographic reality” found that India has 33 years until it is as “old” as advanced economies are today. According to the report, India’s total fertility rate is 1.98 children per woman, which is below the replacement rate of 2.1. As per UN projections, ?India’s population will peak at 1.7 billion in 2061 and decline thereafter. One way India can delay the negative economic consequences of demographic shift is by increasing female labor force participation (currently at 29% for ages 20-49 compared to 50-70% in other emerging economies). The report founded that if India were to increase its female labor force by ten percentage points, it would increase its GDP per capita by 4 to 5 percent.

?Semiconductor, Electronics, and Manufacturing (from the Economic Times, story by Annapurna Roy and Dia Rekhi ):

·????? At Foxconn, the world’s largest contract manufacturer, and Tata Electronics, women are playing a key role in production.

o?? During a visit to India in August last year, Foxconn chairman Young Liu noted that women make up 70% of the company’s 48,000-strong workforce in India.

o?? Foxconn’s Zhengzhou facility in China, one of its largest, combines a sprawling factory complex with dormitory housing, hospitals, entertainment facilities, and fire stations. Drawing inspiration from this model, Tamil Nadu became the first Indian state to launch an industrial housing project exclusively for Foxconn. Inaugurated last August, the Sriperumbudur facility spans 20 acres and accommodates up to 18,720 women employees. Built at a cost of ?706.05 crore, it reflects India’s push to expand its electronics manufacturing capacity.

·????? As India scales its electronics manufacturing ambitions, integrating women into design and manufacturing roles will be key. Competing with China and Vietnam for large electronics firms demands not only skilled labor but also safe, sustainable, and worker-friendly environments. Government and private sector collaboration will play a pivotal role in creating these conditions.

·????? Key challenges include addressing exposure to aluminum dust and toxic materials, ensuring maternity leave, and providing adequate rest to workers.

Semiconductors

·????? Women constitute nearly 25% of India’s semiconductor workforce, an increase from 20% in 2020. Indian women are now close to a fourth of India’s chip design and engineering workforce of more than 220,000. Staffing firm Teamlease Digital projects that women will exceed 30% by 2027, while the total workforce is expected to increase by 18-20% over this period.

·????? Micron and NXP Semiconductors are at the forefront of expanding opportunities for women in the sector.

o?? Micron employs over 4,000 people, including contractors, in India, with women comprising 28% of the workforce across groups and functions. According to Sharmila Khan , Country Head, People Organisation, IT leads with 30% women’s representation.

o?? At NXP Semiconductors, women now make up 24% of its India workforce of over 3,000, an increase from 18% in 2019. Each year, the company hires female engineers for nearly 40% of its new graduate roles, said Hitesh Garg vice-president and India country manager.

·????? However, leadership remains tricky – with only 5-7% women occupying senior leadership roles.

o?? Related: Read World Economic Forum’s piece titled “Why it’s time to use reskilling to unlock women’s STEM potential,” which highlights that women’s enrollment in STEM-related university programs has stagnated over the past decade, with causes varying across industries and regions. If left unaddressed, this disparity will worsen reskilling challenges, which are expected to cost G20 countries over $11 trillion in the next decade. Interestingly, it highlighted the story of Ritu Karidhal, one of the "rocket women" at the Indian Space Research Organization, that has sparked a rise in the number of women pursuing STEM careers in India.

o?? The report found that gender-diverse teams are also more profitable and productive. Companies with more than 30% female representation are significantly more likely to financially outperform those with less.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

·????? The South Asian Chapter of Women for Ethical AI (W4EAI), under UNESCO, was officially inaugurated at Amritapuri on Sunday. This event marked the conclusion of the four-day International Conference on Gender and Technology, jointly organized by UNESCO and Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham.

·????? Led by Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, which holds the UNESCO Chair for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, the new chapter seeks to amplify women’s influence in digital technology and bring together representatives from industries, governments, and civil society across South Asia on AI.

Women in Society

·????? Bengaluru Tops India’s 2024 Index for Women-Friendly Cities

As per the Avtar Group’s third edition of its Top Cities for Women in India (TCWI) index, Bengaluru ranks as the most inclusive, safe, and resilient city for working women. The city earned high scores in skilling, employment, infrastructure, and caregiving support.

“Cities shape opportunities for women,” said Dr Saundarya Rajesh Founder-President of Avtar Group, at the launch. “For India to achieve its vision of a developed nation by 2047, cities must prioritize gender inclusivity. This means safe streets, accessible healthcare, and competitive opportunities for women to succeed as professionals and leaders. Investing in women-led initiatives is essential to optimizing women’s potential.”

The TCWI index identifies cities that set benchmarks for inclusivity and provides actionable frameworks for policymakers, organizations, and individuals. Data sources included the Centre for Monitoring the Indian Economy (CMIE), the World Bank, crime records, Periodic Labour Force Surveys, and Avtar’s primary research conducted across 60 cities with 1,672 women participants.

Criteria: The index evaluated 120 cities based on a City Inclusion Score derived from three pillars:

1. Social Inclusion Score (SIS): Measures livability, safety, women’s employment, and empowerment.
2. Industrial Inclusion Score (IIS): Assesses organizational inclusivity across industries.
3. Citizen Experience Score (CES): Captures women’s perspectives on skilling, caregiving, transport, quality of life, government efficiency, and safety.

Regional Analysis:

• South India leads with the highest inclusivity (average score: 18.56), followed by the West (16.92). The North scores 14.00, with potential in industrial inclusion but lagging in social metrics. The Central and Eastern regions scored lowest due to limited industrial development.

State Analysis:

• Kerala ranks highest (average score: 20.89), followed by Telangana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.

Pakistan

Women in the Economy and Politics

Pakistan Targets Gender and Financial Inclusion with NFIS 2024-28

Pakistan’s National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) 2024-28 sets ambitious goals to achieve 75% financial inclusion and reduce the gender gap to 25% by 2028. Presented by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the strategy highlights key initiatives to drive inclusion, especially among women and underserved communities.

Key priorities include:

·????? Expanding Financial Access

·????? Advancing Digital Financial Services

·????? Focus on Women and Underserved Groups: The NFIS builds on the success of SBP’s Banking on Equality policy, which increased women’s financial inclusion from 23% to 47% between 2018 and 2023. The new strategy emphasizes financial literacy, integrating education into the national curriculum, and targeted awareness campaigns for women, youth, and rural communities.

·????? Enhancing Consumer Protection and Literacy: With a focus on consumer empowerment, the NFIS addresses digital financial risks and strengthens protection measures. Awareness campaigns on digital banking, Islamic finance, and ethical banking practices aim to reach women and marginalized groups.

·????? Milestones in Financial Inclusion: Since launching NFIS in 2015, Pakistan has seen significant progress. Initiatives like RAAST, Roshan Digital Accounts, and microfinance programs have boosted account access and increased depositors by 63%. The strategy builds on this progress, aiming to make financial systems more inclusive and sustainable.

SECP Mandates Gender Pay Gap Reporting for Listed Companies

·????? The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has directed listed companies to disclose a gender pay gap statement in their annual reports. Companies must also publish this statement on their websites, as per a notice from the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX).

·????? To support compliance, the SECP has provided a suggested template and guidance for calculating the gender pay gap. This requirement applies to all listed companies for financial years ending on or after June 30, 2024.

·????? By mandating this disclosure, the SECP aims to promote transparency and encourage gender equity in corporate Pakistan.

Islamabad Declaration Unites Leaders to Champion Girls’ Education

·????? Islamic religious, political, and civil leaders launched a campaign in Islamabad to improve education access for girls and women. The Islamabad Declaration for Girls’ Education on January 12 affirmed that educating girls is both a religious obligation and a societal necessity.

·????? The declaration, signed during a conference convened by Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League, united leaders from diverse Islamic schools of thought, including Deobandi, Hanafi, and Haqqani, along with Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai and other civil society and political figures.

·????? “This conference marks the start of a new journey where we commit to ensuring every girl has access to complete quality education,” Yousafzai said, thanking the Muslim World League and Dr. Al-Issa for addressing barriers that prevent girls from attending school.

The Muslim World League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation pledged practical steps to advance this cause, including:

• Awareness campaigns led by educational centers and scholars.
• Establishing an Islamic Educational Alliance to unite religious leaders, academics, and policy experts globally.
• Collaborating with international organizations like the UN Refugee Agency and UN University for Peace.

The summit gathered over 150 dignitaries from 44 Muslim and allied nations, signaling a global commitment to empowering girls through education.

Related: At the same summit, Malala Yousafzai called on Muslim leaders to refuse recognition of the Afghan Taliban regime, denouncing its systematic suppression of women’s rights as gender apartheid. Speaking at a global summit on girls’ education in Muslim nations, attended by over 150 representatives from various countries (excluding Afghanistan), she made a powerful plea to not legitimise the Taliban regime.

Yousafzai highlighted that the Taliban has implemented over 100 laws aimed at erasing women and girls from public life, under the guise of cultural and religious justifications.

Challenges in Pakistan and the Muslim World

Yousafzai expressed concern over the state of education in Pakistan, where more than 22 million children remain out of school, including over 12 million girls—the highest number globally. Addressing the summit, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif acknowledged the pressing need for equitable education access for girls across the Muslim world.

“The Muslim world, including Pakistan, faces significant challenges in ensuring equitable access to education for girls,” Sharif stated during his opening remarks at the two-day event.

Bangladesh

Women in the Economy

• Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in Cox’s Bazar (UNDP Initiative): In Cox’s Bazar, the Canadian High Commissioner, Lilly Nicholls, highlighted UNDP’s initiative supporting economic empowerment for women and youth. This program focuses on developing skills, fostering entrepreneurship, and providing access to resources for marginalized women. Nicholls praised these efforts as essential for creating sustainable livelihoods and addressing the socioeconomic challenges of vulnerable communities in the region.
• Policy Innovations for Women’s Economic Empowerment (The Himalayan Times): Experts argue that Bangladesh must prioritize innovative policies to enhance women’s economic participation. Recommendations include better childcare facilities, flexible work arrangements, and targeted capacity-building programs to address structural barriers. The importance of inclusive financial systems, particularly for women entrepreneurs, is emphasized as a critical area of focus for sustained economic growth.

Book Recommendation ?

And finally a book recommendation – ‘Chhaunk – On Food, Economics and Society’ by Abhijit Banerjee, illustrated by Cheyenne Oliver. ‘Chaaunk’ is a Hindi word that translates to the process of tempering to finish a dish in Indian cooking. It involves spices being put in hot oil, which is then added to a dish to create an extra layer of flavour. In this part memoir and part cookbook, Banerjee cleverly uses a literary chhaunk to talk about food, economics and society in India. He includes recipes of his favourite dishes and each chapter is cleverly illustrated by Cheyyene Oliver.

In this recommendation, I want to highlight Banerjee’s first chapter titled ‘Women and Work.’

Abhijit Banerjee notes the immense loss of his mother, ?Nirmala Banerjee who was a renowned economist in India. He highlights her last piece of research tentatively titled ‘Workers or Housewives’ in which she examined the role of the family in shaping the LFPR of women in India. In this piece, she emphasizes that while in most developing countries, women are preparing to enter the workforce at the cusp of adulthood – in India it is quite the opposite. Rather than learning a work routine and the discipline that comes with it, Indian women are mostly at home, preparing to get married. Banerjee makes the important point that not only does this rob women of the confidence and financial security that comes with being gainfully employed, but also the pleasures of a life lived in ones 20s – friendships, lunchtime conversations or drinks with women post work, and romantic relationships. Her point was that in a society where women can be quickly judged for their ‘purity’ and be deemed unmarriageable, families incentivise raising women with a singular dream to be married – to avoid chances of them going ‘astray.’

In Nirmala Banerjee’s ideal world – each woman focuses on things that match her particular skills and, equally importantly, is recognized by the family as doing something important. When reading this section, I must confess – I exclaimed that this how I will define an ideal world in all settings. I particularly love how Abhijit Banerjee ends this chapter connecting both food and women’s aspirations: “They will cook fewer wonderful ghontos but choose when to do so, and life will be sweeter for all of us.” [‘Ghonto’ is a Bengali dish that Banerjee defines as a typical Bengali mélange of multiple vegetables cooked down to their own juices. In the book, Banerjee recommends a ‘Palong Saager Ghonto with tiny shrimps, or 15 small vadis for vegetarians].?

He also highlights the important research of Leonardo Bursztyn, Alessandra L. González and David Yanagizawa-Drott who show that a vast majority of younger Saudi men are comfortable with their wives working, but think they would face social censure if they actually went through with this decision.

The book is full of fascinating insights – and perhaps a longer book review is due. The other chapters that were my favourites were on table manners – and how they represent caste and class in India. And finally everyone in the non-profit and donor landscape should read the chapter ‘Thoughtful Giving’. I specifically paid attention to Banerjee’s definition of ‘the best donor’ –

The best donors give much more than their money; they bring imagination, focus and an ability to think outside the box. They fund experiments, including ones inside governments, and have driven a significant part of improved delivery of public services. They highlight problems that deserve more attention and bring in expertise to solve.”

In terms of Banerjee’s recipes, my favourite was the cucumber cocktail which I recently tried making at a dinner party, and it was a stunning success!