Automation paves the way for women in a traditionally male-dominated manufacturing sector

As the country moves toward becoming a $35 trillion economy by 2047, the manufacturing sector is rapidly adopting automation which is expected to increase Recruitment of womenhelping businesses become more inclusive, a TeamLease Services Subburathinam P, Chief Strategy Officer, TeamLease Services, told PTI: “These companies have started adopting automation in phases in these male-dominated sectors and have started hiring women. We hope that with the rise in adoption of automation in these industries, companies will increasingly hire women in the future.”

She further said that in the manufacturing sector there are several challenges that companies face as they try to become more inclusive, such as deep-rooted social norms and discrimination, lack of diverse role models and leaders, and poor work-life balance.

“In India’s manufacturing sector, women are significantly underrepresented, accounting for only 15-20 per cent of the workforce. However, there has been an increase in the hiring of women in sectors that are rapidly adopting automation technologies.

“Like electric vehicle (EV) industries and telecom ancillary original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), they are making concerted efforts to hire more women, with some companies aiming for a gender-balanced workforce,” she said.

Despite these challenges, many companies are moving toward greater inclusion through specific initiatives and policies aimed at creating a more diverse and equitable work environment, she said.

In addition, Subburathinam said that in India’s manufacturing sector, certain industries have made notable progress in increasing women’s representation, such as in the electronics sector, where women constitute around 70-80 per cent of the workforce, as companies strive to improve Gender diversitySimilarly, the textile and apparel sector has traditionally had a higher percentage of female workers, who benefit from long-established roles and practices. However, automation adoption is slower and phased in many sectors that remain male-dominated, such as basic and manufactured metals, machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and automotive components, due to harsh working conditions that mirror traditional industrial practices, she noted.

In addition, there are more men employed in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, highlighting a gender imbalance that persists in several manufacturing segments, she said.