Women constitute nearly half of India's population and are increasingly shaping housing demand, property ownership, and sustainability initiatives within the real estate sector. Despite this significant influence, a recent report by JLL and NAREDCO MAHI reveals that women hold only 1-2% of leadership positions in the industry. This stark underrepresentation highlights a critical gap in leadership that must be addressed to fully harness the potential of women in real estate. The report, titled 'Building Inclusive Future: Empowering Women in India's Real Estate Transformation,' emphasizes the importance of enhancing women's roles across various levels of the sector, from construction sites to corporate offices and boardrooms.
Women make up 48.5% of India's population but represent just about 10% of the construction workforce, one of the country's largest employment sectors and a vital contributor to its GDP. The report underscores the need for companies to create stronger pathways for women to ascend into leadership roles. Although women have made significant strides as homebuyers, entrepreneurs, and sustainability advocates, their representation diminishes sharply at senior management levels. According to the research, women occupy approximately 40-45% of entry-level positions in real estate-related professions, but this number plummets during mid-career stages, indicating a troubling trend of attrition.
Industry leaders, including Smita Patil, president of NAREDCO MAHI, advocate for comprehensive strategies to foster women's advancement in real estate. She notes that women are increasingly shaping the future of the sector, yet there is a pressing need for mentorship, skill development, financial inclusion, and equal opportunities to facilitate their growth. This is not only a matter of inclusion but also a vital business strategy for the future expansion of Indian real estate. The report also highlights existing policy interventions, such as stamp duty concessions and home loan incentives, aimed at promoting women property owners. However, these initiatives have not sufficiently addressed the systemic barriers that hinder women's career progression in leadership roles.
In addition, the report brings attention to the challenges faced by women in the informal construction workforce. Many of these women work without adequate social security, childcare support, insurance coverage, or clear pathways for career advancement. As urbanization, digital transformation, and environmental sustainability reshape the real estate landscape, it is crucial to empower women at all levels of the industry. By strengthening talent pipelines and improving governance standards, the real estate sector can advance toward India's vision of becoming a developed economy by 2047. Addressing these disparities is essential not only for equity but also for the sustainable growth of the industry, ensuring that women's contributions are recognized and valued in the evolving real estate landscape.