Avtar Group, a trailblazer in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) solutions in India, has unveiled the second edition of the ‘Top Cities for Women in India (TCWI)’ index. Merging data from various governmental sources, including the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS July 2022-June 2023), national census, crime records, and Avtar’s primary research on women’s employment, the comprehensive research involved an open survey and Focus Group Discussions (FGD) between July 2023 and December 2023, engaging over 1200 women nationwide.
Chennai, Bengaluru, Pune, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Coimbatore, and Jaipur have emerged as the Top 10 Cities for Women in Category 1 (population over one million). Chennai has secured its position as the leading city for women, while Delhi makes a debut at the 8th rank. Category 2 (population under one million) showcases cities like Tiruchirappalli, Vellore, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Shimla, Salem, Erode, Tiruppur, Gurugram, and Puducherry.
Covering 113 cities based on economic significance, the study categorizes them into two groups: 49 cities with over a million population (Category 1) and 64 cities with less than a million (Category 2). City Inclusion Scores (CIS) determining rankings are based on Social Inclusion Score (SIS), Industrial Inclusion Score (IIS), and Citizen Experience Score (CES).
While progress toward inclusive cities is ongoing, Southern cities with historical and social strengths and supportive government policies stand out in fostering gender-progressive living environments, dominating the index. Tamil Nadu cities, especially Chennai and Tiruchirappalli, lead in both population categories.
In the less than a million-population category, eight out of ten cities from the South showcase gender-inclusive attributes, with Gurugram standing out in industrial inclusion. Notably, 32% of surveyed women feel unsafe, and 21% are unsure of their safety post 8 pm. Educational and healthcare facilities receive positive ratings, yet 31% of women feel judged for their attire choices, indicating room for improvement. Dr. Saundarya Rajesh, Founder-President of Avtar group, emphasized the need for equitable pathways to boost women’s workforce participation, aligning with the nation’s vision for development by 2027.
