The Indian textile sector is at the threshold of a technological revolution, with
Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) poised to reshape textile production,
design, and marketing. Amid this transformation, it is crucial to ensure the
continued empowerment of the sector’s predominantly female workforce, which
accounts for about 60% of the industry’s employment.
Currently, the textile sector directly employs approximately 4.5 crore people
and an additional 6 crore people in allied sectors, making it the second-largest
employer for women in the country after agriculture. A significant portion of
these women works in unorganised settings, raising concerns about their
adaptability to the emerging AI-driven landscape.
The key to sustaining and enhancing the role of women in the textile sector lies
in upskilling initiatives aimed at equipping them with the tools to harness the potential of AI and digital technologies. These programmes must bridge the
digital divide, particularly in rural areas where technology access remains
limited.
However, empowering women in this AI-driven era requires a broader focus on
eliminating gender stereotypes in the workplace and ensuring equal access to
digital technologies. Policymakers should prioritise providing training sessions
in vernacular languages to reach individuals in the lower segments of the
workforce.
Digitally empowered women are not only better equipped to navigate the
industry independently but can also resist exploitation by middlemen, a
longstanding issue affecting female labor force participation in India.
The integration of AI into the textile industry brings promising opportunities,
and women workers have the potential to lead this change. A collaborative
effort among all stakeholders is essential to provide the necessary training and
support, ensuring the sector’s competitiveness and sustainability. This
transformation is about empowering women to shape the future and contribute
to India’s self-reliance.
