Bengaluru has been named India’s most gender-inclusive city: 2024 TCWI index

Bengaluru has been named India’s most gender-inclusive city in the 2024 edition of the Top Cities for Women in India (TCWI) index by Avtar Group, a leader in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) solutions. Southern cities dominated the rankings, with the South emerging as the most gender-inclusive region overall.

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The report identifies Bengaluru as the safest, most resilient, and sustainable city for working women, excelling in skilling, employment, infrastructure, and caregiving support. Dr. Saundarya Rajesh, Founder-President of Avtar Group, emphasized the role of inclusive cities in shaping opportunities for women. Cities must enable women to thrive and contribute equally for India to achieve its development goals, she reportedly stated.

The index evaluates cities based on Social Inclusion Score (SIS), Industrial Inclusion Score (IIS), and Citizen Experience Score (CES), encompassing safety, livability, employment, and empowerment. Bengaluru topped all parameters, particularly in skilling and infrastructure.

Other top-ranking cities include Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, and Kolkata. Hyderabad led in infrastructure, while Mumbai excelled in skilling and employment. Coimbatore and Kochi stood out among smaller cities for infrastructure and quality of life.

The South scored an average City Inclusion Score (CIS) of 18.56, surpassing the West (16.92), North (14.00), Central (11.79), and East (10.55). Kerala emerged as the most gender-inclusive state, with Telangana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka following.

Northern cities like Delhi and Gurugram, despite high industrial scores, struggled with social inclusion. Gurugram excelled in skilling and employment but lagged in safety and livability.

Dr. Rajesh urged cities to invest in women-led initiatives, emphasizing collaborative efforts between organizations, policymakers, and individuals to foster inclusivity. The TCWI index offers a roadmap for cities to enhance women’s opportunities and drive nationwide progress.