“Increasing women’s participation in manufacturing is a strategic advantage that drives innovation, enhances productivity, and addresses critical skill shortages in the industry. Women bring diverse perspectives that foster creativity and improve decision-making, contributing to more efficient processes and better outcomes.” – Phanindra Karody, Head of Bangalore Plant, Continental Automotive India
What are the current barriers to women’s participation in the Indian manufacturing sector? How can we overcome the same?
Despite the progress in recent years, women are still underrepresented in the manufacturing sector. Manufacturing has long been stereotyped as an unsuitable career for women, leading to their significant underrepresentation in the field. Contributing factors include limited awareness about opportunities in manufacturing, the vast and varied nature of the industry, and insufficient access to skill development programs. These challenges have perpetuated misconceptions and hindered women’s participation in the sector.
According to the Annual Survey of Industries in 2019 – 2020, 1.6 million out of 8 million workers in formal manufacturing were women, which means women made up 19.7 percent of the workforce.
Despite progress, women in manufacturing still confront obstacles such as mental barriers, lack of job awareness, lack of guidance on workplace norms. This leads to high attrition rates which is further impacted by life events like marriage and childbirth. It is believed that approximately 50 percent of women exit manufacturing roles before turning 30.
Therefore, it is important for the companies to invest in health and safety, employee training, and equitable compensation to foster a better work environment for women, especially in the manufacturing industry. Workplaces must prioritize health, safety, and well-being and offer clean environment, medical support, and accommodations for late or night shifts to the women employees. Such measures can help boost productivity and will help in retaining and diverse and inclusive workforce. Continental has stepped in to bridge these gaps and help women gain access to equal career opportunities. At Continental, at the shopfloor level, we have an entire line operated by just women. In June 2021, we launched a CSR program “Women For Manufacturing”- an initiative to increase women’s representation in the manufacturing domain.
Under the ‘Women For Manufacturing’ initiative, we aim to inspire, educate, and employ women from challenging socio-economic backgrounds and help them secure jobs on the shop floor across manufacturing plants.
“Workplaces must prioritize health, safety, and well-being and offer clean environment, medical support, and accommodations for late or night shifts to the women employees. Such measures can help boost productivity and will help in retaining and diverse and inclusive workforce.”
What successful initiatives are currently underway to promote women in manufacturing in your organization?
In India, women make up only 15-20% percent of the workforce in manufacturing and technical vocations. This stereotype has been constructed over generations and at Continental, we felt the need for a change. This objective created the ‘Women for Manufacturing’ CSR initiative launched in 2021 to support the entry of more women into manufacturing.
The initiative has been especially launched for women from under-privileged backgrounds by providing them with opportunities to upskill and become active participants in a traditionally male dominated industry.
Till date, under the ‘Women for Manufacturing’ initiative, awareness has been created for over a thousand schoolgirls, more than 2000 women certified, and over 1600 jobs created. Apart from Bangalore and Gurgaon, the program has now expanded its reach to Andhra Pradesh, Chennai, Pune, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha. The initiative has impacted more than 4000 women/girls.
What are the advantages of increasing women’s participation in manufacturing?
Increasing women’s participation in manufacturing is a strategic advantage that drives innovation, enhances productivity, and addresses critical skill shortages in the industry. Women bring diverse perspectives that foster creativity and improve decision-making, contributing to more efficient processes and better outcomes.
Moreover, this inclusivity bolsters economic growth, strengthens workplace culture, and elevates corporate reputation as socially responsible and forward-thinking. By empowering women in manufacturing, we not only build a stronger workforce but also create a positive ripple effect in communities, advancing social equity and aligning with global standards for gender diversity and equality.
“At Continental, we have a gender-neutral approach in all employee policies and compensation and take pride in being an equal opportunities employer. We are keen to attract more women to the workforce and have specific goals pertaining to this. Employment equality actions completely include OSH.”
What are the best practices for creating a gender-inclusive workplace in the manufacturing sector?
At Continental, we have a gender-neutral approach in all employee policies and compensation and take pride in being an equal opportunities employer. We are keen to attract more women to the workforce and have specific goals pertaining to this. Employment equality actions completely include OSH.
While formulating and implementing OSH strategies, we include the gender dimension in data collection and monitor for any gender bias as well as all monitoring systems and surveys cover occupational risks to women. Additionally, gender-sensitive interventions are participatory in nature, and involve the workers concerned and the decision-making processes concerning occupational health and safety at all levels include women to ensure women’s views and experiences (and knowledge/skills).
Apart from this, we also provide our women employees with maternity leaves as per government guidelines, provision of a doctor and nurse in the medical center in case of expectant mothers and a creche facility with full-time care and qualified nurse for childcare once back.
“Achieving gender equality in manufacturing requires addressing the unique challenges women face. This involves transforming workplace practices and implementing supportive policies that promote their contributions.”
How can we ensure that the voices of women in manufacturing are heard, and their concerns addressed?
To boost women’s participation in the manufacturing industry, it is essential to reform labor laws to enhance workplace security, introduce flexible shifts, ensure equal wages, and provide dormitory accommodations. These measures are vital to creating an environment where women can thrive.
Achieving gender equality in manufacturing requires addressing the unique challenges women face. This involves transforming workplace practices and implementing supportive policies that promote their contributions. By doing so, the industry can unlock the immense potential of women’s skills and ensure sustained progress while promoting a more inclusive workforce.
