India's Silicon Valley, Bengaluru, has once again been crowned the best city for women to live and work in the country. This marks the second consecutive year that the Karnataka capital has secured the top position in a significant national study.
Benchmarking Urban Gender Inclusivity
The findings come from the 2024 edition of the 'Top Cities for Women in India' index, released by the diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting firm Avtar Group. The study provides a comprehensive assessment of how Indian metropolitan areas perform in creating a safe, equitable, and prosperous environment for women.
Following Bengaluru in the rankings is Pune, which claimed the second spot. The southern city of Chennai rounded out the top three, demonstrating a strong showing from major urban centers in the peninsula. The national capital, Delhi, found itself in the sixth position on the list.
The Pillars of the Ranking
The Avtar Group's evaluation is not based on a single factor but on a holistic model examining several critical pillars of urban life. Researchers meticulously analyzed data across key areas that directly impact women's quality of life and professional opportunities.
The study's framework is built on four main pillars:
- Social Inclusion: This measures factors like safety, healthcare access, and representation in public life.
- Industrial Inclusion: This evaluates the presence of women in the workforce, leadership roles, and supportive organizational policies.
- Citizen Experience: This assesses the ease of living, including mobility, digital connectivity, and environmental quality.
- Law & Order: This crucial pillar examines the enforcement of women's safety laws and the responsiveness of policing.
Bengaluru's continued leadership is attributed to its strong performance across these diverse parameters, particularly excelling in industrial inclusion due to its vast and progressive corporate ecosystem, and in providing a relatively better citizen experience.
Significance and the Road Ahead
Dr. Saundarya Rajesh, the founder and president of Avtar Group, emphasized the importance of this annual study. She stated that the index serves as a vital tool for tracking the progress of Indian cities in gender inclusivity. The goal is to inspire city administrators, policymakers, and corporate leaders to collaborate in building urban spaces where women can thrive without barriers.
The retention of the top spot by Bengaluru highlights the city's consistent efforts and established advantages. However, the study also underscores that all cities, including the leaders, have considerable room for improvement, especially in areas like safety and social inclusion. The annual ranking acts as both a recognition of progress and a call to action for sustained development.
As more women enter higher education and the professional arena, the demand for cities that support their ambitions will only grow. Studies like these provide a data-driven roadmap for urban India to become more equitable, ultimately contributing to the nation's broader economic and social growth.
