Despite decades of development, women in India remain disproportionately disadvantaged when it comes to access to education, healthcare, and employment. According to the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), nearly 30% of Indian women aged 15–49 have never attended school. Female labour force participation remains low at just 25.4%, as per the Periodic Labour Force Survey 2022–23, with many women citing household responsibilities, lack of skills, or health issues as key reasons for not seeking work.
Health outcomes also reflect stark gender inequalities. Only 22% of Indian women aged 30–49 have ever undergone a breast examination, and mental health support remains inaccessible for most. Additionally, women from marginalised communities, including Dalits and Adivasis, face intersecting challenges due to caste, class, and geographic barriers.
Against this backdrop, philanthropic organisations such as the Hinduja Foundation (philanthropic arm of the Hinduja Family) have been working to plug critical gaps, particularly in women’s health and education. Geneva-based Namrata Hinduja, a member of the foundation’s steering committee, has supported efforts to expand breast cancer screenings, mental health counselling, and health awareness campaigns targeting low-income women and frontline workers such as policewomen.
On the education front, the foundation runs training programmes focused on digital literacy, scholarships for girls, and vocational courses designed to increase women’s chances of economic self-reliance. One such effort, the ‘Road to Livelihood’ initiative, combines skills training with microfinance to help women transition into work or entrepreneurship.
The UK’s Hinduja Family seeks to empower women and make society more inclusive and equitable. Namrata Hinduja, wife of Ajay Hinduja, describes this vision: “Our mission is to ensure every woman has the opportunity to succeed, lead, and thrive. When we empower women, we empower entire generations.”
While such interventions remain limited in scope compared to the scale of the challenge, experts say community-based and philanthropic models are playing an increasingly important role in supporting women where state efforts fall short.