Published Paper Details:

The gig economy has experienced remarkable growth in India over the past decade, propelled by several key factors like widespread availability of mobile devices with internet connectivity facilitating last-mile access for platform workers to connect with customers. The proliferation of app-based technologies in the past five years has further accelerated this growth trajectory. India's booming gig economy is drawing millennials, including women, with its promise of alternative employment avenues. For women workers, the gig economy holds particular significance as digital platforms are seen as potential vehicles for increasing their participation in the labor market. India has long grappled with the issue of low and declining female labor force participation, with rates among the lowest in South Asia. Against this backdrop, the rapid expansion of India's gig economy could help alleviate some of the barriers women face by offering flexibility to balance care obligations while engaging in work. Despite the increasing participation of women in the gig economy, many of the available jobs remain concentrated in traditionally female-dominated and low-wage sectors such as domestic work, caregiving, beauty, and wellness. Gig work presents a multitude of challenges for women, including limited access to the digital economy and concerns regarding security and safety, which hinder their full engagement in this sector. Addressing these challenges is essential to ensure that women can fully benefit from and contribute to the opportunities presented by the gig economy.