September, 2026
Bridging the Gender Gap: Women’s Status in Decision-Making in India
As the EU and India deepen their economic partnership through the EU–India Free Trade Agreement, questions of who participates in and benefits from expanded trade are increasingly important.
DAHRD’s factsheet examines women’s participation in business, entrepreneurship, corporate leadership and trade-related decision-making in India. Despite progress in some areas, women remain significantly underrepresented in senior economic roles, including executive positions, corporate boards and business leadership.
The factsheet looks at what these structural inequalities mean in the context of the EU–India FTA. It highlights how limited representation in economic decision-making can shape who participates in trade delegations, business forums and regulatory discussions, as well as which businesses are best positioned to benefit from new market opportunities.
DAHRD proposes practical recommendations for EU–India engagement, including stronger representation of women in trade and business delegations, greater visibility of women decision-makers in FTA-related forums, and increased attention to gender balance in corporate leadership and governance.
Read the full factsheet to explore the data, key challenges and recommendations for making EU–India economic cooperation more inclusive.
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