The book, which has contributions from several experts in the field of gender and employment, has been edited by T.S. Tapola and Alakh N. Sharma. It focuses on complex issues relating to women's work and highlights the emerging challenges and opportunities for women in the context of the changing socio-economic scenario in the country, besides presenting a analysis of the likely future trends. A panel of experts, including Prof Sheila Bhalla (JNU); Chandani Joshi (resident representative, UNIFEM); Madhu Kishwar (editor, Manushi), Amitava Mukherjee (executive director, ACTIONAID) expressed their views on the subject. Highlighting the reasons for the ineffectiveness of policy measures and programmes for alleviating the conditions of women, the members talked of the lack of adequate recognition, understanding and appreciation of issues underlying the plight of women. The members also focussed on the demand and the supply aspect of employment opportunities available in the market.

In his address, Kazancigil observed that there was a need for policies to reach the grass-roots and for the the findings of field-work to reach the policy makers. He highlighted the role of the female work force in India, especially in the agriculture sector.

Madhu Kishwar stressed upon the need to impart vocational education to women. Pointing out that the paying capacity of agriculture is shrinking, she said that focus must now be on job creating opportunities. She was also of the view that the criminalisation of the system is a setbacks to efforts towards self employment and that is the reason why there were fewer women hawkers in the city. Amitava Mukherjee was of the view that families still have joint incomes and that the control of this income remains with the men.