Women in Leadership Position.
Despite the numerous success stories of women in business, gender disparity in the workplace remains a persistent issue. Women often find their achievements overlooked simply because of their gender. The idea of women prioritizing their careers and securing leadership roles is still seen as unconventional. While women's empowerment is slowly gaining ground, the concept of women in top positions is still a sensitive topic. LinkedIn's data on women in the workplace reveals that women are significantly underrepresented among corporate decision-makers in India, with only 18% holding leadership roles.
To gain real-world insights, we spoke with two remarkable women who are making significant strides in their fields. These trailblazers are reshaping the narrative of a new India, breaking stereotypes, and setting an example for others to follow.
"For men, career decisions are often about finding the right job or firm. For women, it's about fighting stereotypes, proving their worth, and moving beyond labels," says Swati Bhargava, Co-Founder of CashKaro. From her early days as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs in London to becoming a successful entrepreneur, Bhargava has consistently broken barriers. Ragini Das, co-founder of leap.club, is on a mission to see more women in leadership roles by building a professional community for women.
Chronicling the Root Causes
The lack of women in top corporate roles goes beyond limited opportunities. "From birth, a girl's life is often mapped out with the primary goal of marriage," Bhargava explains. "Society questions our education and labels everything we do, creating constant societal hurdles." Das adds, "Disparity stems from early conditioning, outdated norms, a lack of female role models, and inflexible gender roles. Systems and processes have been defined by men, for men, especially in a diverse country like India."
Gender bias, both conscious and unconscious, has long kept women from reaching top leadership positions. LinkedIn's data shows men in India are 42% more likely to be promoted into leadership roles than women. Even in sectors where women are more prominent, like education and corporate services, their representation in leadership is still less than that of men. This stark reality highlights the ongoing gender disparity.
However, there is progress. The proportion of women leaders in the Indian workforce has risen from 18% in 2015 to 24% in 2022. Despite this increase, many women are choosing entrepreneurship due to the lack of equal leadership opportunities in traditional workplaces.
The Rise of Women Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurship offers women freedom, independence, and opportunities, despite its challenges. In India, the number of female founders grew by 2.68 times between 2016 and 2021, compared to a 1.79 times increase for male founders.
"Being an entrepreneur has given me an identity and a voice to instigate change," Bhargava shares. Das views entrepreneurship as a way to change the game for women. "It's about creating better workspaces for women and changing perceptions, opportunities, and the network they access."
The Need for Meritocracy
Achieving a truly egalitarian workplace requires significant changes. "People need to let go of outdated conditioning, and men need to be more supportive as professionals, husbands, and fathers," Bhargava emphasizes. Das adds, "In India, women are still seen as primary caregivers. Even high-flying women in our community report how discussions about maternity leave have stalled or derailed their careers."
Creating thriving work environments for women is crucial. "Companies need to focus on skills over biases, mentor female employees, advocate for them at key points, and ensure their participation in decision-making processes," Das suggests. She also stresses the importance of fair holiday structures, including period and maternity leave, and meritocratic reward systems.
Bhargava aspires to see a fair playing field. "A flexible, welcoming, and adaptable work culture is essential. Have open conversations with both men and women and create an environment where everyone's contributions are acknowledged. Women don't want special treatment; they want equal consideration and respect."
As the number of female entrepreneurs grows, it's clear that women are rising to the occasion, even in challenging times. From winning medals and titles to disrupting traditionally male-dominated fields, women are just getting started. The world of work must catch up, for the best is yet to come.
