Gujarat is one of the most industrially advanced state in India. It is the highest income state which is ranked sixth in terms of GSDP. But despite the state's high GSDP, it lags behind other states and shows a poor performance in terms of other social indicators like nutrition, healthcare, gender equality and so on. The hunger and malnutrition among women & children in the state is high. The state also have a low sex ratio of 866 females per 1000 males. Surveys show that approximately 55 percent of women in the age group 15-49 is anemic. According to All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE), 2018-19, Gujarat has a gender parity index of 0.85 which is among the lowest in the country. For every 100 boys enrolled in the higher education, number of girls enrolled is 85.

Gender equality in labour market is also very low. Work participation rates of women are much lower than that of average recorded in India. The recently released Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2018-19 reports that female labour force participation rate (FLFPR) in Gujarat is 16.9 percent, lower than the national figure of 18.6 percent. The state has launched various schemes to increase women participation in work force and encourage women business leaders of the state. As a result, the state has a good number of women entrepreneurs, including the first generation ones.  With promotion of different schemes, the state is trying to be more women inclusive.

In this issue, the Women Entrepreneur magazine brings into spotlight a list of 'Top 10 Corporate Women Leaders from Gujarat - 2021' who are the torch bearers of the change in corporate world and the state. This list of ten leading and inspiring women is crafted by a team of CEOs, VCs and the our editorial board, thus delivering inspiring stories of their journey and the contributions & roles played by them in the creation and empowerment of a powerful nation.