Kerala emerges as the leader in women’s inclusivity with top-ranked cities in 2024 index
Avtar Group, a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) solutions provider, has unveiled the third edition of its Top Cities for Women in India (TCWI) index on Wednesday. Bengaluru has secured the top spot for its focus on inclusivity, safety, resilience, and sustainability, making it the most women-friendly city for professionals in India.
Bengaluru’s high rankings in skilling, employment opportunities for women, infrastructure, and caregiving support were key contributors to its dominance in the 2024 index. “Cities are the foundations of opportunity. They shape how women live, work, and thrive," said Dr Saundarya Rajesh, Founder-President of Avtar Group, at the press conference. “A clear understanding of the core principles and cultural fabric of our cities is crucial for advancing women's progress and inclusion."
The Top Cities for Women in India index uses a data-centric, evidence-based approach to evaluate cities' inclusivity. Dr Rajesh stressed that for a prosperous India by 2047, gender-inclusive cities are essential, highlighting the need for accessible healthcare, education, and economic opportunities for women.
Index methodology and findings
The TCWI index assesses 120 cities based on their economic contribution, assigning a ‘City Inclusion Score’ (CIS) derived from three pillars: Social Inclusion Score (SIS), Industrial Inclusion Score (IIS), and Citizen Experience Score (CES). Data from CMIE, the World Bank, crime records, and surveys from over 1,600 women across 60 cities were compiled to create the rankings.
The top 10 cities for women in 2024 include Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Gurugram, and Coimbatore. This year’s index has a unified ranking system, unlike previous editions that featured separate lists for million-plus and smaller cities.
Regional and state-wise analysis
Regionally, Southern India ranks as the most inclusive, with an average CIS of 18.56. Kerala leads the states with a CIS of 20.89, followed by Telangana and Maharashtra. While the North performs well in industrial inclusion, social inclusion scores in cities like Delhi and Gurugram still have room for improvement.
Detailed findings on women's ratings of cities
The index also revealed regional differences in key factors:
- Skilling and employment: Gurugram scored the highest in skilling and employment (7.68/10), with Bengaluru and Mumbai following closely behind.
- Infrastructure: Hyderabad emerged as the best city for infrastructure, scoring 8.01, closely followed by Mumbai and Bengaluru.
- Government efficiency: Thiruvananthapuram (8.15) and Pune (7.06) were rated highest for governance efficiency.
- Quality of life: Coimbatore (7.54) and Pune (7.50) topped the quality of life rankings, while Gurugram scored relatively low (6.34).
- Safety: Thiruvananthapuram (7.43) and Mumbai (7.19) were rated the safest cities for women, whereas Gurugram received the lowest safety score (5.60).
With Newsvoir and PTI inputs