Women Make Up 43 pc of Ayush Workforce, Strengthening Their Role in India’s Wellness Economy
New Delhi, Oct 8: Women are playing an increasingly important role in India’s growing Ayush sector, accounting for 43 per cent of the overall workforce engaged in Ayush services, according to the government.
The growing participation of women highlights the expanding role of the traditional healthcare and wellness sector in creating employment and livelihood opportunities. It also reflects the potential of Ayush services to support greater economic participation among women across different parts of the country.
Women’s Participation Gains Momentum
The Ayush sector covers a wide range of traditional healthcare systems and services, including Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy.
Women are contributing across several areas of the sector, including healthcare services, wellness activities, education, entrepreneurship and allied professions. Their participation is particularly relevant as demand for preventive healthcare and holistic wellness continues to grow.
For many women, the sector can provide opportunities to build careers, operate independent practices and develop small businesses linked to traditional wellness and healthcare.
Growing Wellness Economy Creates Opportunities
India’s Ayush ecosystem has expanded beyond traditional healthcare services and is increasingly connected with wellness, tourism, education, research, pharmaceuticals and consumer products.
This broader ecosystem can create opportunities for entrepreneurs, practitioners, therapists, educators and other professionals. Greater participation of women could further strengthen the sector’s contribution to employment and household incomes.
The development of wellness centres, Ayush-based services and related businesses can also create opportunities beyond major cities, helping generate livelihoods in smaller towns and rural areas.
Supporting Women’s Economic Participation
The growing share of women in the Ayush workforce also highlights the sector’s potential as a platform for women’s economic participation.
Access to skills, training, entrepreneurship support and professional opportunities can help more women build sustainable livelihoods in the wellness economy.
As the demand for traditional and preventive healthcare continues to evolve, the expanding Ayush ecosystem could provide new avenues for women to participate in India’s employment and entrepreneurship landscape.
The 43 per cent participation of women therefore represents more than a workforce statistic. It points to the growing role of women in an emerging economic sector that combines healthcare, wellness, entrepreneurship and livelihood generation.