Building an ecosystem that accelerates HER career

India’s diversity has long been celebrated as a hallmark and a driver of innovation and progress. Despite the strides made in various sectors, corporate India presents a stark contrast to this diversity, particularly in terms of gender balance. The disparity is even more pronounced in the tech sector, a vital contributor to India’s GDP. Despite our nation’s distinction as the producer of the largest number of women STEM graduates globally, only a mere 21% find their way into the workforce, according to a World Bank report. This statistic is not just a mere number but represents countless untapped talents, deferred dreams, and lost opportunities.

DNA-Coding Inclusion

While diversity policies make solve for an increase in hiring numbers, the challenge at hand is a leaky-pipeline – which essentially means that women either decide not to pursue STEM careers or drop-out eventually due to both personal and professional demands through the course of their careers. India Inc. needs to realise that gender-balance is not about ticking boxes or meeting quotas and deploying one-off women-oriented programs, it is about changing the mindset to becoming road pavers of a healthy talent ecosystem where everyone thrives. Diversity may help get women through the door, but inclusion is what will make them stay.

Diversity in today’s corporate world may be heavily influenced by company gender ratio targets, but inclusion goes beyond numbers. It is about creating a work environment where everyone, regardless of gender, feels valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. This is a culture reset and is largely led by people, primarily the leadership. Therefore, it is imperative to hire professionals who actively champion inclusion. Additionally, a balanced gender ratio in leadership sends a strong message of commitment to workplace equality.

Driving the shift from offered Equality to Tailored Equity:

Equality is giving everyone a shoe; equity is giving everyone a shoe that fits. This concept is perpetually relevant, especially when it comes to women in the workforce. Women in our society have more familial obligations and shoulder dual responsibilities. It is important that organisations recognise this and tailor their policies to create an equitable work environment. These include flexible working hours, comprehensive support structures for maternity and paternity leaves in order to enable men to support women and flexible working policies. Role rotations and portfolio assignments based on merit, experience, and passion can also help women progress while managing their personal responsibilities. Fostering a culture of empathy and understanding for working mothers could also go a long way. This could involve support groups, facilities for childcare, and other necessary facilities. A level playing field with pay parity and equal opportunities can further incentivize women to pursue STEM careers.

Empowering Sheroes

Unsurprisingly, the representation of women in C-suite positions within STEM stands is low, at 12.5%, significantly lower than in non-STEM areas according to a LinkedIn report. This imbalance underscores the urgent need for organizations to focus on eliminating skill barriers that hinder women’s progress. Upskilling women and equipping them with the necessary skillset and confidence can help them advance into leadership roles.

Deployment of automation tech and tools can also play a pivotal role here, allowing the female workforce to move away from mundane tasks and focus more on strategic and creative work. Mentorship programs, networking opportunities, and support systems for both professional and personal development can help women advance in their careers. Furthermore, enterprises that embrace an intrapreneurial culture can tap into the unique drive many women possess for self-reliance and ownership. In such environments, women can champion new ideas and processes, fostering a sense of ownership and encouraging calculated risks that develop leadership and problem-solving skills. By creating this empowering ecosystem, organizations can harness the immense potential of women in STEM, and lead with innovation-mindset.

By breaking down barriers and creating an inclusive workplace, Indian businesses can pave the way to a future where innovation thrives, and women play a central role in scientific and technological progress. This requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including businesses, government, and society at large. This is not just the right thing to do, it’s a strategic imperative for a brighter world.