| Abstract | The informal economy in India serves as a critical pillar of livelihood for millions, especially
women, who find in it both opportunity and autonomy in the absence of formal sector access.
This paper examines the informal economy’s contribution to the economic empowerment of
women, focusing on sectors such as home-based work, street vending, domestic work, and
micro-entrepreneurship. It explores the socioeconomic dynamics, gender-specific challenges,
and the transformative potential of informal engagements for women‘s economic
development. Through a comprehensive literature review, data analysis, and policy
examination, the study emphasizes the necessity of recognizing, supporting, and integrating
the informal sector into broader development frameworks. The paper concludes by
advocating for gender-sensitive reforms, social security inclusion, and skill-building
initiatives to leverage the informal economy as a sustainable driver of women‘s economic
growth in India.
Keywords
Informal Economy, Women Empowerment, Economic Development, Gender,
Microenterprise, Street Vendors, Domestic Workers, India, Policy Reform, Social Security
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