Unseen struggles of women in India’s vibrant markets

Thursday 20 November 2025 - 15:27

By: Dakir Madiha

Unseen struggles of women in India’s vibrant markets

Beneath the lively colors and constant motion of India’s bustling markets lies a quieter, more complex story of endurance. Women often at the heart of these economic spaces, shoulder immense pressure as they balance livelihoods and family responsibilities while navigating entrenched inequalities.

Across cities and small towns alike, many work long hours only to earn modest or unpredictable incomes. Gender discrimination, unstable earnings, and the burden of unpaid domestic work remain persistent barriers. Economic hardship often compels them to continue in informal roles without access to employee protections, safe environments, or avenues for professional growth.

Mental health has emerged as a hidden crisis among these women. Research shows soaring levels of anxiety, depression, and chronic stress among those in low-income and informal work sectors. Limited access to mental health services, coupled with cultural stigma surrounding emotional expression, deepens their isolation. For many, daily survival leaves little room to seek help or even to acknowledge their emotional strain.

Despite these challenges, the resilience of India’s working women endures. Their determination sustains local economies and anchors entire families, even as societal recognition remains scarce. The face of a weary vendor amid the clamor of the bazaar tells a universal story, one of strength shadowed by fatigue, of perseverance in the face of silent adversity.

To confront these realities, India’s economic progress must expand beyond growth metrics and include social policies that safeguard women’s wellbeing. Equitable pay, mental health support, and gender-sensitive reforms could help ease the toll carried silently by millions across the nation’s vibrant but unforgiving markets.