Skilled Careers

Indias Economy Has a Missing Engine: Women Especially women from lower-income backgrounds. A McKinsey study estimated that India could add $770 billion to GDP by 2025 by simply advancing gender parity in work. But instead, female labor force participation fell from 32% (2005) to ~20% (2020). https://lnkd.in/dvys4E6f Despite progress in some areas, female labor force participation in India is among the lowest in the world, even lower than some Sub-Saharan African countries. Why Are So Many Poor Women Underemployed or Not Properly Utilized? 1. Social and Cultural Barriers Deep-rooted patriarchy restricts womens mobility, especially in rural or conservative areas. Girls are often seen as temporary earners, their real role is expected to be at home. 2. Safety and Mobility Public transport is unsafe or unavailable, making it harder for women to travel to work. Fear of harassment, especially in cities or during night shifts, keeps families from letting women work. 3. Unpaid Labor at Home Women spend hours daily doing unpaid work: cooking, cleaning, child care, elder care. This invisible labor is neither recognized nor redistributed. Poor women, in particular, bear the double burden of poverty and gendered expectation. 4. Lack of Suitable Jobs - There is no structured pathway from informal to formal employment. 5. Policy & Structural Failure Skill development programs often dont reach women or are too generic and disconnected from market realities. No large-scale, nationwide push for rural women entrepreneurship, decentralized production, or employment guarantees for women. Schemes exist, but access is broken due to middlemen, corruption, or lack of information. Poor women: Walk miles for water Raise children with limited resources Cook without clean fuel Manage micro-budgets like CFOs of households Yet the system never sees them as employable or productive. What Can Change This? 1. Localized employment: Bring dignified work to villages (e.g., food processing, crafts, decentralised manufacturing). 2. Safe, affordable transport: So women can commute without fear. 3. Women-led cooperatives and micro-enterprises: Let women own their work, not just participate. 4. Recognition of unpaid work: Design policies around time poverty, not just joblessness. 5. Mindset shift: From allowing women to work to realizing they hold the key to national growth. We talk of demographic dividend but leave half the population on the sidelines. A country that sidelines its women isnt just unjust, it is chronically underperforming.

Why its time to use reskilling to unlock womens STEM potential: "Women make up just 28% of the global STEM workforce and only 22% of artificial intelligence (AI) professionals. Left unaddressed, this deficit will restrict innovation and economic growth during the reskilling revolution. Fostering collaboration, cultivating mentorship and delivering tailored solutions to country-specific challenges will close the STEM gender gap. Reskilling provides an opportunity to rethink how we are planning for the future of work. We must reconsider not only how we work, but who works. If the Fourth Industrial Revolution is rewriting the rules of work, now is the time to rewrite the rules of opportunity. Enrolment among women in STEM-related university programs has stagnated over the past decade, with the causes of this disparity differing across industries and regions. If left unaddressed, however, it will compound reskilling challenges that are already expected to cost G20 countries more than $11 trillion over the coming decade. Multiple inspiring stories have shown how these barriers can be broken. Ritu Karidhal, one of the 'rocket women' of the Indian Space Research Organization has inspired a rise in the number of women pursuing STEM fields in India. And she is not alone: From Esraa Tarawnehs work on mitigating flash floods that's helped multiple communities tackle one of our centurys largest environmental threats, to Ayanna Howards assistive technologies that are revolutionizing accessibility for children with disabilities, women are pioneering ground-breaking innovations. Gender-diverse teams are also more profitable and productive. Companies in which female representation exceeds 30% are significantly more likely to financially outperform those with less. Gender diverse R&D teams are also more likely to introduce new innovations into the market over a two-year period. The case for closing the gender divide in STEM is clear, but it will persist without deliberate interventions. Women face a variety of barriers to accessing STEM fields and solutions must reflect this reality. In some regions, there will be a need to break stereotypes that dissuade girls from pursuing science. Elsewhere, the challenge will be infrastructure and ensuring access to resources and learning tools. Addressing these intersectional challenges demands localized strategies, which are essential for creating interventions that have enduring impact." Read more https://lnkd.in/eryKvFxp #MentorMonth #WomenInSTEM #GirlsInSTEM #STEMGems #GiveGirlsRoleModels

The bridge between a middle-income nation and a developed nation ishow much you . In urban India, the % of educated women working in the formal sector remains abysmally low. In 2019, our research at LeadHers estimated that only7-9% of educated women in urban Indiawere in the formal workforce. Some data now suggests this is ~19%. Encouragingly,Indias female labor force participation rate (FLFPR) has improved to 37%, according to the latest reports. But is this enough? For many reasons, I like to look at the Vietnam model and how it has integrated women's workforce participation into its GDP growth. Vietnam's GDP per capita is around $4110, whereas India's around $2500. %. Could India take inspiration fromVietnams model? Well, the Vietnam model is not by chance. It is a result of many deliberate and thoughtful policies, particularly the economic reforms of 1986, which transformed Vietnams economy. This and other policies led to- Opening markets to foreign investment, creating more jobs in services and industry Gender equality in education, preparing women for workforce participation Providinggenerous childcare and maternity benefitsto support working mothers Settingtargets for businessesto increase female workers Offeringpreferential tax incentivesfor companies that hire more women Expandingcredit access for rural womenin agriculture, forestry and fishing India has a critical opportunity here. Prioritising women in the formal, high value industries especially inSTEM and leadership/management roles can significantly expand this talent pool driving productivity and innovation. According to a2024 World Bank report, closing gender gaps in manufacturing alone could boost Indias economy by9%. - , - . , . The question is: ? This is my wish for this year's Women's Day. , . . #iwd2025

Dear entrepreneurs in Ethiopia, with everything thats going on, I wanted to raise some awareness about the Genius Visa that helped me get to the U.S. in just 7 days and how you can do the same. When most people think about moving to the U.S. as a startup founder, they imagine it takes years, piles of paperwork, or a lottery win. But theres a powerful, underused option: the O-1 Visa also known as the genius visa. Its designed for people with extraordinary ability in their field. That includes startup founders, engineers, creators, and scientists. The best part? You can expedite it and get a decision in just 15 days. I got mine in just 7. The acceptance rate for the O-1 visa is over 90% far higher than most people expect. But few founders even apply. Heres how you qualify: You must show proof of at least 3 out of 8 criteria, including: Winning awards (even local or regional) Media coverage about your work Judging others work (pitch competitions, hackathons) Membership in selective organizations or accelerators High salary or funding raised Original contributions in your field Leading roles in notable organizations Published material about your work If youre building something meaningful and have any traction, press, awards, or influence, you might qualify already. Im sharing this because we need more Ethiopian founders in global markets. The O-1 visa can be your bridge. If youre interested, Im happy to share tips or connect you with lawyers who specialize in startup O-1 cases. #Startups #GeniusVisa #Ethiopia #Founders

Nobody put them on a panel. Nobody gave them a grant. Last month, I visited Tomato Jos in Kaduna State; a tomato processing company quietly doing something remarkable in the middle of the Sahel. I went expecting to see a farm. Yes i did.. but i also found women! Women who wake before the heat rises and work the land with a precision that no algorithm can replicate. Women carrying babies on their backs and tomatoes in their hands; not because they have no choice, but because this is their livelihood, their agency, their ground. Meera Mehta, the woman leading Tomato Jos, has built something that doesnt just process tomatoes. It processes possibility. Under her leadership, hundreds of women in rural Kaduna are now earning consistently, learning post-harvest techniques, and gaining a stake in a value chain that used to pass right over their heads. I stood in that field...No conference room, No keynote, No hashtag. Just women, working, earning, providing. Economic power in its most honest form. We spend so much time debating womens economic inclusion at the top, in boardrooms, in policy briefs, in beautifully designed reports. And yet the most transformative version of it is already happening quietly. In the dust. In the early morning light of Northern Nigeria. The question is: are we paying attention? Because when a woman on a farm in Kaduna earns a fair wage, she doesnt just feed herself. She feeds her children, pays school fees, gains a voice in her household. The ripple doesnt stop at her, it moves through her entire community. Womens economic power is not a future aspiration. It is a present reality, hiding in plain sight, waiting for the rest of us to catch up. To every woman I met on that farm; You are the Economy. #IWD26 #Give2Gain #ecosystem #Women #Empower #NorthernNigeria Sabou Capital Surayyah Ahmad Tomato Jos

History often changes quietly before it changes dramatically. One such transformation is unfolding across Indias electronics manufacturing sector, where women are emerging as a defining force behind industrial growth. From Bengaluru to Sriperumbudur, and from Krishnagiri to Noida, women are increasingly powering production lines, precision manufacturing, quality systems, and advanced industrial operations. This shift is not simply about employment; it is about the emergence of a new manufacturing workforce. The data tells a compelling story. Women represent 41% of Tamil Nadus direct electronics workforce, 66% of the workforce at Delta Electronics Krishnagiri facility, and nearly 80,000 women are employed across the Noida-Ghaziabad electronics manufacturing belt. These numbers signal a structural shift. Companies are investing in technical training, robotics, smart manufacturing, leadership development, safe accommodation, and workplace infrastructure. They are recognising that skilled women are not a peripheral workforce, but a competitive advantage. Every woman trained in advanced manufacturing strengthens Indias productive capacity. What is particularly significant is that many of these women are first-generation industrial workers. Their participation is expanding household incomes, creating new aspirations, and strengthening Indias manufacturing competitiveness. I have always believed that investing in womens skills is not merely a social objective; it is one of the most powerful economic strategies available to any nation seeking sustainable growth. It is heartening to see that Indias next manufacturing milestone will be shaped by a workforce that is increasingly skilled, confident, and inclusive, with women being central to that journey. #WomenInManufacturing #SkillIndia

- -- and is literally shaterring the AMERICAN DREAM for a lot of people wanting to work in the US. The BEST way to deal with this uncertainty is to apply for an . One of the biggest misconceptions I see is that people think it is something very difficult to achieve, and is only meant for extraordinary profiles. But many of the things that strengthen an O-1A petition are already present in the profiles of tech professionals. Things like: Publishing technical articles Speaking at conferences Judging hackathons Mentoring engineers Building open-source projects Earning media recognition Demonstrating measurable impact at work Whether or not you ever apply for an O-1A, investing in these areas makes you a , , . Over the past few months, I've spent some time researching the O-1A process, compiled everything into a guide and got it reviewed from an experienced immigration lawyer. : https://lnkd.in/gW_2hsUW Inside you'll find: A beginner-friendly explanation of the O-1A process The eligibility criteria explained with real examples A practical roadmap to start building your profile Filing templates and resources you can actually use If you're an international student or a working professional in the US, I genuinely hope this helps you. If you are looking for more such immigration and tech resources, checkout my Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gSN9buQ7

When discussions around development take place, the focus often remains on infrastructure, investment, and industry. But meaningful transformation is ultimately reflected in the opportunities available to people. One initiative that has been particularly close to this belief is the Lloyds Vanya Garment Centre in Gadchiroli. What makes the initiative significant is not simply the number of garments produced. It is the number of opportunities created. Today, more than 200 women from 32 villages are part of the initiative, producing over 40,000 garments within just nine months. Behind these numbers are stories of skill development, financial independence, and growing confidence. At the same time, the journey extends beyond the garment centre itself. Many women have stepped into roles that were once considered unconventional, including positions as heavy and light vehicle drivers, while others have taken on important responsibilities within safety and security functions. For me, this represents an important aspect of development. When women gain access to skills, employment, and responsibility, the impact extends far beyond the workplace. It strengthens families, supports communities, and creates pathways for long-term economic participation. Progress becomes more meaningful when more people are able to participate in it. And that is precisely what initiatives like Lloyds Vanya seek to achieve.

- - Too often, economic empowerment programs focus on participation; not impact. A gender equality lens ensures women dont just join programs, but actually benefit, lead, and sustain gains. : : Who controls womens income, time, and decisions? : Add childcare, flexible schedules, and safe access : Not just any job! fair pay, safety, growth : Access to accounts, financial literacy : Shift norms around care and decision-making : Align training with real market demand : Track agency, income control, and job quality; not just numbers : In design, feedback, and leadership : If participation increases, thats . If power and choice increase,thats . #GenderEquality #EconomicEmpowerment #Development #InclusiveGrowth