Women power increases the prestige of the country…but why does it need institutional support?

Even though we celebrate wearing women's uniform on Republic Day. But the reality is that there are only more than 7000 women officers in the Indian armed forces. The dismal representation of women in India's workforce must improve for the country to become a $5 trillion economy.

The role of women power in India's defense power is continuously increasing. On the occasion of 75th Republic Day, women powers brought glory to the country. For the first time, all-women marching contingents of the three armed forces marched on the duty path, reflecting the growing 'women power' of the country. During the Republic Day celebrations, not only India but the entire world saw the grandeur of the country's women power on the path of duty. But sadly, there are only more than 7000 women officers in the Indian armed forces. There is a need to improve the representation of women.

This is what Squadron Leader (retd) Deepti Kala has to say. In fact, on the occasion of 75th Republic Day, News9 talked to a panel of women. This panel included Squadron Leader (retd) Deepti Kala, famous writer Archana Garodia Gupta, lawyer Rebecca John and famous author and screen writer Advait Kala. Everyone expressed their views. During this, Squadron Leader (retd) Deepti Kala raised questions on the disappointing participation of women in the Indian Army.

We need more institutional support

Deepti Kala said, 'Even though we celebrate wearing women's uniform on Republic Day. But the reality is that there are only more than 7000 women officers in the Indian Armed Forces, which is the second largest army in the world. Women are just a drop in the ocean. How can we include them in the armed forces? He further said, we need more role models and institutional support. This is the only thing which is still missing on a large scale, which is somehow holding us back.

Women's participation in the workforce needs to be increased

Let us tell you that Squadron Leader Kala decided to leave the uniform after serving in the armed forces for a decade and commanding the unit. At the same time, Garodia Gupta said that according to World Bank data, India's female labor force participation rate was 19.2 percent in 2021, which contributes 17 percent to the country's GDP. But this is relatively low for a country that dreams of becoming a 5 trillion dollar economy by 2025. He said that the situation will become better if the participation of women in the workforce has to be increased.

Women's participation should be 50 percent

According to a World Bank report, Indian women contribute 17 percent of the GDP to the economy, which is less than half the global average. If about 50 percent women join the workforce, India can increase its growth rate by 1.5 percentage points to reach 9 percent annually.