Building an Inclusive Critical Mineral Economy: Adult Education as a tool for women's empowerment in India Under Expanded Brics
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29070/b9jxtb52Keywords:
women's empowerment, Adult education, critical minerals, India, expanded BRICS, human capital, lifelong learning, sustainable developmentAbstract
The growing global demand for critical minerals, driven by the transition to clean energy, digital technologies, and advanced manufacturing, has positioned these resources as strategic assets for sustainable economic development. India has responded by strengthening its critical mineral strategy through domestic exploration, mineral processing, recycling, and international partnerships, particularly within the expanded BRICS framework. However, the success of this transition depends on developing an inclusive and skilled workforce. This paper examines the role of adult education as a strategic tool for women's empowerment in India's emerging critical mineral economy. Drawing upon Human Capital Theory, the Capability Approach, Political Economy Theory, Feminist Political Economy, and Lifelong Learning Theory, the study adopts a qualitative, exploratory methodology based on secondary data from academic literature, government reports, and international policy documents. The analysis demonstrates that adult education enhances women's technical competencies, digital literacy, financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, and leadership, thereby improving their participation across the critical mineral value chain. The paper further highlights the significance of BRICS cooperation in promoting vocational education, technology transfer, and human capital development. It concludes that integrating adult education into India's critical mineral policies can strengthen gender-inclusive industrialisation, enhance economic resilience, and contribute to sustainable development and the achievement of the SDGs.
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