A study demonstrated that “female feet and legs are not simply scaled-down versions of male feet but rather differ in many shape characteristics, particularly at the arch, the lateral side of the foot, the first toe, and the ball of the foot.”

(Source: Wunderlich, R. E., & Cavanagh, P. R. (2001). Gender differences in adult foot shape: Implications for shoe design. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005768-200104000-00015)

The study calls for accounting for anatomical differences between male and female feet when designing sports shoes. But what changes when designing safety shoes for women? and does this need vary across industries? The primary selection criterion for safety shoes, for both men and women, is naturally the hazards they need to withstand. However, that doesn’t make size, comfort, and style secondary.

Women’s Safety Shoes and The Stereotypes

·      Stereotype #1: Rugged Women’s Safety Shoes are Not Required as They Don’t Work in Physically Demanding Roles

The dominant patriarchal mindset has created a misconception that women are not suited for heavy-duty jobs. This assumption itself undermines the casefor specialised safety gear for women. Over the years, more women have entered rugged, physically demanding roles, but the stereotype has remained the same, so the need for specialised attention to ladies’ work shoes has never been addressed.

·      Stereotype #2: Smaller and Lightweight Safety Shoes for Women Fulfil Their Requirement.

This stereotype is also the product of a biased, one-size-fits-all mindset. It is a scientifically proven fact that male and female foot anatomy differs — particularly in the arches, the lateral foot structure, and the ball of the foot. Making women choose a downsized safety shoe from the men’s category, then, is a flawed approach. It’s the equivalent of expecting women to pick their sports shoes from the men’s section today. Is that really justified?

Understanding the Need for Specialised Women’s Safety Gear Through the Lens of the Economic Survey 2025-26

The Economic Survey 2025-26 notes that “Over the past year, states have made significant progress in reforming statutory regulations to enhance women’s participation in the economy. Key reforms include removing prohibitions on women’s employment in designated ‘hazardous’ industries by 17 states/UTs and permitting night-time work for women in factories by around 22 states/UTs, as well as in commercial establishments by 33 states/UTs, thereby expanding employment opportunities for women while improving labour market flexibility”. Source: Economic Survey 2025-26 (Page 473)

 It further adds that “Increasing women’s participation in the labour market is not merely a matter of inclusion but a key driver of India’s long-term economic transformation, as higher female employment supports fairer labour market outcomes, strengthens household welfare and contributes to building a more inclusive, resilient, and productive economy on the path to Viksit Bharat by 2047”. Source: Economic Survey 2025-26 (Page 476)

The above data tells us that a considerable number of women are working across labour-intensive sectors — construction sites, manufacturing units, metal fabrication facilities, and more. The question is: are industry stakeholders considerate enough about the need for specialised women’s safety gear?

What Do Women Need? The Expectations from Women’s Workwear Shoes

The answer is simple: cater to the specific need. Acknowledging the anatomical differences between men’s and women’s feet means recognising that the women’s category in safety shoes — and safety gear more broadly — needs greater investment in research, development, and design, particularly around fit, sizing, comfort, and style. Comfort, looks, and fit matter just as much to women as they do to men, and shouldn’t be treated as optional extras. Safety shoes for women can be attractive, lightweight, and comfortable enough to suit women’s preferences, while still being robust enough to handle real workplace hazards.

On the positive side, Indian safety equipment manufacturers like KARAM Safety have started recognising this category — a few women-centric safety shoes are now available from the brand on KARAM Online. There is still a long way to go, but the acknowledgement, and the effort behind it, deserves credit.

Bottomline

For years, women have been adjusting into smaller sizes of men’s shoes. This was also prevalent in the sports industry. Still, as more women became a significant part of it, the giants and small players started catering to the women’s category. A similar transformation is needed to provide women-centric safety gear, such as safety shoes, gloves, workwear, etc., especially as India’s big yearly document highlights women’s contributions at the macro and micro levels in building a more resilient economy by 2047. Indeed, this change won’t happen in a single day, but the sooner we acknowledge this gap, the more beneficial it is for us!