1Dahod · Narmada · Dang · Tapi · Chhota Udepur · Mahisagar, Gujarat
8 in 10 women here work. But there's a catch
Tushar Tere, Vishal Patadiya & Yagnesh Mehta
Wearing her pink uniform, Anita Tadvi takes her e-rickshaw to the Statue of Unity in Ektanagar every morning. As tourists begin arriving at the world’s tallest statue in Narmada district, the 25-year-old’s day gathers pace. She drives them around the premises as driver and guide, one of many in this tribal Gujarat belt east of Narmada who are reaping the benefits of tourist inflows since Sardar Patel’s iconic statue was inaugurated in 2018.
In India’s first district-level periodic labour force survey (PLFS) released in Sept, the Dahod-Narmada-Dang-Tapi-Chhota Udepur-Mahisagar belt recorded the country’s highest female labour force participation rate of 82.1%. The rural rate was even higher, at 86.5%, suggesting village economies are driving the standout number.
Across these districts, women are working because households need two earners, men migrate for work, farms and livestock require family labour, and govt schemes, NGOs and self-help groups have opened up small livelihood routes.
“Statue of Unity has brought many opportunities for women in our district. When I learnt about the requirement for e-rickshaw drivers three years ago, I discussed it with my husband and in-laws. They immediately agreed,” Tadvi said.
She took driving lessons, obtained a licence and joined a group of around 90 women who drive e-rickshaws at the monument.
Self-help groups that teach making everyday products such as soaps, bamboo items, bags and festive decorations have brought more informal jobs. Tourism has poured into this basket.
“Women in the tribal belt are productive and earn more than men. They not only work outside the house but also shoulder responsibilities at home, leaving them with hardly any free time,” said Vadodara-based entrepreneur Swati Bedekar.
Dinesh Patel, a farmer from Mahisagar district, said many women work as farm hands and can be hired from the labour market. “I need farm labourers regularly in my corn fields. I prefer to hire women as they are productive and dedicated. In our district, women easily find farm jobs,” Patel said.
But high participation does not automatically mean secure work.
Madhu Gayakwad, who is from Dang and heads the sociology department at VNS, said employment opportunities for women had increased but remained uneven and there is scope to do more to improve livelihoods. As PLFS shows, tribal Gujarat’s women are working. The next benchmark is to make this income sustainable enough to change their lives.
Close behind the men. Here, 89.8% of men and 82.1% of women are in the job market, a gap of 7.7 points. Only seven districts in India have a gap under 10 points.
