AP’s Sri City showcases women-led transformation in manufacturing

Vijayawada: As the nation celebrates International Women's Day, Sri City in Andhra Pradesh offers a compelling example of how inclusive employment practices can accelerate industrial growth while transforming social realities. Traditionally viewed as a male-dominated space, manufacturing in this integrated business city is increasingly shaped by women, who now play a vital role in production, efficiency and innovation.Home to more than 250 companies from 31 countries, Sri City employs over 70,000 people. Remarkably, women account for nearly half of this workforce, earning the industrial hub the popular nickname "Sthree City". Women are present across sectors and hierarchies, from shop-floor technicians to supervisory and managerial roles. They contribute to operations in the automotive, electronics, garment, food processing, pharmaceutical, healthcare products, and consumer goods manufacturing sectors.In several companies, women handle assembly, quality control, testing, supply chain management and production supervision. In some units, female participation ranges from 20% to 97%, and entire production lines are run exclusively by women. Several global and domestic companies operating at Sri City steadily expanded women's participation in their workforce. These include Alstom, Daikin, Havells, Blue Star, Isuzu Motors, Mondelez India, Kellogg's and Colgate-Palmolive, among others.Why industries prefer women workersIndustry leaders point to several operational advantages in employing women. Precision-based tasks such as soldering, wiring, brazing and robotics-assisted assembly benefit from the attention to detail that many employers say women bring to the shop floor. Another factor is lower attrition rates, which help maintain production stability and reduce recruitment and training costs. Many companies also highlight women's ability to quickly adapt to automated and technology-driven systems.Beyond the workplace, women's employment has a wider impact on surrounding communities. Steady incomes enable them to support their families, pursue education and encourage other young women to explore careers in manufacturing.Building a supportive ecosystemThe rise in women's participation at Sri City is closely linked to the ecosystem created to support them. Companies and administrators introduced dedicated transport services, childcare facilities, healthcare support and robust safety mechanisms, including CCTV surveillance and female security personnel.Skill development also plays a crucial role. Several firms run specialised training programmes that prepare women for technical roles once considered male-dominated. For instance, Alstom trains diploma engineers for metro coach assembly, while Isuzu Motors focuses on developing women engineers for technical operations.Even before its formal establishment, Sri City's HR Academy trained over 4,000 residents—many of them women—equipping them with the skills needed for industrial employment. Corporate social responsibility investments exceeding ₹61 crore also strengthened education, healthcare and infrastructure in nearby villages.Speaking at a national conference on women's empowerment in Tirupati in 2025, deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha, Harivansh Narayan Singh, observed that Sri City reflects the spirit of inclusive development, with women accounting for nearly half its workforce and contributing significantly to its growth.Stories of confidence and changeThe transformation at Sri City is best illustrated through the experiences of the women working there. At Isuzu Motors, K Chandini, a diploma graduate from Gudur, spent five years in quality control, steadily building technical expertise while supporting her family financially. Young engineers such as Rutu and Devi Priya say structured training programmes, strong safety systems and a supportive work culture prepared them for demanding technical roles.At Mondelez India, employees highlight a strong safety framework and employee welfare initiatives, including healthcare consultation support, that enable them to work with confidence, even during night shifts.Meanwhile, at Daikin, N Aarthi mastered brazing and now trains others, while engineer Soumya takes pride in contributing to her family's income. At Havells, D Jyothi's journey to a leadership role in human resources demonstrates the clear career pathways available for women.Model for inclusive industrial growthSri City's journey underscores a broader lesson for India's industrial future: Diversity is not merely symbolic but a driver of productivity and innovation. Independent studies also highlighted wider social benefits such as higher household incomes, improved mobility for women and greater decision-making power within families.By combining industrial expansion with gender inclusion, Sri City evolved into a model for balanced economic development.