Concrete Change

Advancing women’s workforce inclusion is key to unlocking real estate growth in India, research report reveals.

With only 7 million women among 57 million real estate employees in India, the industry has a long way to go in achieving inclusivity. As a pioneer in the Indian real estate sector, Max Estates is leading the conversation on gender inclusion, recognizing that a diverse workforce is critical to long-term industry growth and resilience. The report — Concrete Change — was co-published by Max Estates and In Tandem Global Consulting and underscores the business case for inclusion, urging industry leaders to take tangible steps toward progress.

Sahil Vachani, managing director (MD) and vice chairman, Max Estates, said: 

“A nation’s true potential is realized when its women are empowered to contribute fully. For India to achieve its ‘Viksit Bharat’ vision, women must play a pivotal role. With real estate set to contribute US$5-6 trillion to the economy by 2047, women’s inclusion is vital. They bring insights into consumer preferences, design sensibilities, empathy, resilience and collaboration, shaping communities with care and creativity. At Max Estates, we are dedicated to fostering this change, building a future that is inclusive and transformative.” 

The study has received widespread support and recognition including from Manohar Lal, union minister of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), D Thara, additional secretary, MoHUA and other industry leaders. Insights were gathered through in-depth interviews and a survey of more than 100 participants, including construction workers, policymakers, corporate leaders and industry bodies.

Shormishtha Ghosh, founder-MD, In Tandem Global Consulting, said: 

“The impact of including 50% of the population in the workforce extends beyond 100% on the economy. In real estate, this formula can be implemented with more work on enabling policies, greater inclusion and maintaining respectful pay parity. Our research quantifies these economic gains in both the short and long term.” 

The report not only highlights the challenges but also provides actionable steps that can drive change across the industry, policy and beyond.

Rishi Raj, chief operating officer, Max Estates, said: 

“At Max Estates, we believe that fostering inclusivity within the industry requires a collective effort. The industry at large can consider initiatives such as collaborating with academic institutions to integrate real estate modules into their curricula, leveraging technology to upskill women at the blue-collar level and support their transition into skilled roles, and conducting training programs to build workplace cultures that embrace diversity and equity. We are actively exploring these avenues to lead by example and contribute to shaping a more inclusive and dynamic future for the industry.”

The launch of this report marks the start of a broader movement toward gender inclusion in real estate. Max Estates and ITGC invited industry leaders to collaborate and turn insights into action — laying the foundation for Concrete Change.