Economic growth and technological advancement in India in the current decade has been increasing. Technology, market and development are considered gender-neutral. But there is pronounced urban bias and rural neglect in the development process of India. Nevertheless, modernisation of the economy or advancement of the society is a semi-myth for village women.
Around 1.2 billion people currently live in India. Women comprise 48.5% of the population. For every 100 boys born nationally, 89 girls are born. The gender gap fluctuates across India. The gender division of labour within the rural household has remained culturally stubborn. Women as a class are oppressed and subdued by the hegemony of social patriarchy. Economic growth has failed to improve the situation. Technology and labour market imperfections have accentuated the concentration of women in domestic works with non-market roles and activities.
Women’s labour force in India will add 37 million people to its labour force in the next 10 years, including youth entering the workforce. Over the next 40 years, India is projected to add 424 million working-age adults. If India can increase women's labour force participation by 10 percentage points (68 million more women) by 2025, India could increase its 16% GDP.
The optimistic approach about the future economic developments in rural areas, results in, expanding the business ventures here. The vast availability of resources, lower infrastructure costs, salary levels and low attrition rate make rural a suitable business scheme. It is economically better for factories/industries to set up in the remote area as it is expensive to buy land in cities which will in turn benefit the consumers by declining the cost of production and it would boost the labor market.
Gradually, the trend has changed to resemble the consumption patterns of the cities. Rachit Jain, founder-CEO of Youth4work.com said: “We know talent is everywhere across India, but there’s no single window to showcase it and to
provide and hunt the capabilities in rural people to give them a platform to prove their competencies and improve them to level up with global standards. All local and global companies can explore this large rural talent pool and extend their career opportunities.”