Women Direct Sellers expected to grow to 5.5 mn by 2025: IDSA

The Rs 7,472 crore direct selling industry in the country that engages around 6 million direct sellers at the moment, is likely to see a huge surge in the number of women direct sellers in the coming years. From a current 2.5 million women direct sellers, the numbers are expected to almost double to 5.5 million by 2025, according to the Indian Direct Sellers' Association (IDSA).

Women currently contribute almost 58.3 per cent in 2013-14.

The number of women direct sellers is expected to clock a 8 per cent growth rate to touch 5.5 million self employed women by 2025, feels Chavi Hemanth, secretary general, IDSA.

Hemanth added that it is interesting to note that women percentage of full-time self-employed of Direct Sellers stands at 64 per cent and part-timers of Direct Sellers stands at 36 per cent.

Segments like wellness, cosmetics and personal care dominate the Indian direct selling market; which has accelerated women self-employment and empowerment.

S.P Sharma, chief economist, director, research, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry said, "Women have significantly contributed in the economic empowerment of nation over the years. Women who used to undertake only household responsibilities earlier are now effectively participating in almost all sector of economy."