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March 11, New Delhi – This week marked the launch of a new, U.S. Embassy-sponsored podcast – Women in Labour, a freewheeling, no-holds-barred comedy series that serves as a jumping-off point for critical conversations about why women are disappearing from India’s workforce, why it is a serious issue, and what we can do about it.
Launched on International Women’s Day, Women in Labour will release new episodes every Tuesday and Saturday featuring guest speakers from all walks of life, including journalists, filmmakers, IAS officers, social scientists, economists, policy influencers, entrepreneurs, and opinion makers.
The bi-weekly episodes tackle a specific angle of why women are falling out of India’s workforce – the percentage of Indian women in paid work has dropped from 35% in 2005 to less than 24% today. These include conversations on education, work culture, marriage, domestic life, women in public spaces, and internal struggles.
Women in Labour was created by Christina MacGillivray and Laura Quinn, with support from the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. MacGillivray, a filmmaker who directed the United Nations’ first-ever stand-up comedy festival focusing on immigration and human rights, will present each episode alongside one of India’s most celebrated comedians, Aditi Mittal.
You can listen to the first two episodes of Women in Labour, featuring journalist Namita Bhandare and sports reporter Mayanti Langer Binny, at womeninlabour.com. Episodes can also be downloaded on major podcast platforms.
Women in Labour will also host a live conversation about the experiences of Indian women in sports at the American Center (24 Kasturba Gandhi Marg, near Barakhamba Road Metro station) on Wednesday, March 18 at 7:00 p.m. The panel will include sportswriter Rica Roy and professional athletes Jyoti Ann Burret, Vani Kapoor, and Raspreet Sidhu. Admission is free.
About the American Center
Supporting the U.S. Embassy’s mission to promote mutual understanding between the people of India and the United States, The American Center offers art exhibits, book launches, film screenings, discussions, lectures, and cultural programs. The American Center is also home to iHub, a specialized library and innovation hub, as well as the Nexus startup and business incubator.
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