India's rising female labor force participation, especially in rural self-employment, is misread as distress. The author counters critics, stating "unpaid" household enterprise work creates economic value. This growth aligns with government programs promoting women-led livelihoods, confirmed by time-use surveys. It signifies a vital opportunity for national income growth, not just distress. Policy must enhance women's productivity, earnings, and agency via better credit, markets, and technology, leveraging this economic driver for India's future development goals.