Recent moves to increase political representation for women come even as their participation in the economy has been in retreat.
They are less likely to work than they were a few years ago and continue to be less likely to own assets than men. The cabinet reportedly approved a bill for women's reservation in Parliament on Monday.
India has the lowest share of working women among the group of 20 (G20) countries. The female labour force participation rate was 24 per cent, lower than the next in line—Saudi Arabia at 27.8 per cent. On top were Australia (62.1 per cent),