MSME sector sees high participation from women, less in leadership roles

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Sep 14, 2022

India’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise industry is seeing high rates of women workers compared to other industries but leadership roles remain male dominated, according to a new study by Ciel HR Services.

According to the report by Ciel HR Services, the MSME industry in India’s workforce is 24% women, a relatively high rate compared to other sectors. The study, titled ‘Employment Trends in MSME Sector’, found that women’s participation in MSME leadership roles was at 10%, TNN reported. The numbers also vary significantly from state to state with 23.4% of proprietary MSMEs owned by women in West Bengal, the highest percentage, followed by 10.4% in Tamil Nadu. 
 
“The MSME sector is one if the significant sectors for the growth of our economy with their 30% contribution to the GDP,” said Aditya Narayan Mishra, Ciel HR Services’ CEO, TNN reported. “While there has been a steady increase in the women’s participation rate in the MSME industry, our study has also revealed the need for better gender representation at an executive level for improved organisational climate and better financial performance.” 

The MSME industry has a high portion of fashion, jewellery, and accessories businesses and many of these sectors have high rates of women workers. Despite lower levels of women in MSME leadership roles at present, a report by EdelGive Foundation in 2021 predicted that businesses owned by women in India are expected to increase by 90% in the coming five years, the Times of India reported.