Women in many Indian households perform a substantial amount of unpaid domestic work, while their control over household finances may remain limited . To address this, several state governments have started schemes that send cash directly into women’s bank accounts and Odisha’s Subhadra Yojana is one such example.
BACKGROUND
Women’s economic insecurity is shaped not only by low household income but also by unpaid care work, limited control over resources and unequal access to employment. State governments have increasingly responded through direct cash-transfer programmes that place money in women’s bank accounts. Madhya Pradesh’s Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana is one of the most significant examples of this shift.
India has witnessed a gradual increase in women's Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR), particularly following the introduction of the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) in 2017–18. However, this increase has not been accompanied by a corresponding expansion of secure and formal employment opportunities. Instead, a significant proportion of women remain concentrated in informal and low-paid occupations characterized by irregular employment, unstable incomes, and inadequate social protection. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO, 2018), more than 61 per cent of the world's employed population, representing nearly 2 billion workers, are engaged in informal employment. While globally 58 per cent of employed women and 63 per cent of employed men work in the informal economy, the prevalence of informal employment is considerably higher in developing countries, where 92 per cent of employed women and 87 per cent of employed men are employed informally. These statistics demonstrate that women are disproportionately employed in informal jobs in developing nations, which leaves them more susceptible to low pay, precarious work, insufficient labour rights, and restricted social security benefits.
Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana is Maharashtra’s large-scale monthly cash-transfer programme for women from lower-income households. Announced in the State Budget in June 2024 and operationalised through a Government Resolution dated 28 June 2024, the programme provides eligible women with ₹1,500 a month through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Affirmative action is one of the most debated instruments of modern democratic governance. Its critics often view reservation and other forms of preferential treatment as a departure from equality. They argue that individuals should be judged by the same standards, regardless of caste, race, gender, or social background. Supporters, however, argue that formal equality is insufficient in societies shaped by historical discrimination. Social inequalities often continue to influence access to education, employment, political representation, and social status.
Accessible and affordable public transportation is an important feature of inclusive development. It allows individuals to take part in the education system as well as access essential services like job placement and health services thereby encouraging economic participation. However, the cost of daily travel often places a financial burden on low- and middle-income households , especially women who have to use public transport to travel around. This may act as a discouragement for women to gain education, seek formal employment, become entrepreneurs, and engage in public activities. Therefore, it reinforces the existing gender inequalities.
Women constitute nearly half of the world's population, making their participation essential for achieving any meaningful development agenda. Yet women and girls continue to face barriers in education, healthcare, employment, political participation, financial inclusion and decision-making.