Championing equity: Supporting women’s advancement in the workplace

By pushing for progress, supporting one another, and creating a world where all individuals can flourish, let's shatter barriers and establish a more equitable future

According to the World Economic Forum’s gender gap report, the world will take another 132 years to bridge the gender gap. This is a stark reminder of how much work still needs to be done to achieve equity. Despite the challenges, the persistence and resolve of numerous women who have made headway in dismantling barriers and proving their competence in the workplace provide a hopeful indication that we are maybe making strides in the right direction.

The reality of facing daily biases while trying to carry out one’s work can be demotivating, especially for women who have fought hard for their place in the corporate world. Leaders hold immense power to shape the work environment, making it conducive for employee growth and success by creating a culture of inclusivity, where everyone feels valued and appreciated, irrespective of their gender or background.

Start by conducting a diversity audit to evaluate the current state of diversity and inclusion. Analyze areas where women may be underrepresented or facing marginalisation. This assessment should include reviewing hiring practices, promotion policies, employee benefits, and any other factors that may impact women’s experience in the workplace.

Create a committee dedicated to diversity and inclusion, consisting of members from different levels and departments of the organisation. This committee can help promote a more inclusive workplace and provide support to women and develop strategies and action plans.

Offer unconscious bias training to all staff, including leaders and managers, to raise awareness of how biases can affect the experience of women in the workplace thereby promoting fairness and inclusivity.

Support women in the workplace by providing flexible work arrangements such as remote work, flexible hours, or job sharing to help them balance work and personal responsibilities.

Create mentorship and leadership training programmes for women to connect them with experienced leaders in the organisation who can offer guidance, advice, and support, helping them advance in their careers.

Regularly monitor and measure progress to evaluate the impact of initiatives and identify opportunities for improvement. Utilise data to track the representation of women in leadership roles, employee engagement, and other critical metrics.

At Godrej Capital, we believe in creating a supportive and empowering work culture that extends beyond achieving goals. Through our Women’s ERG, SheRises, we have demonstrated our unwavering commitment specifically in providing policies that cater to the unique needs of our women. We understand that our employees’ well-being and productivity are critical to the success of our company and have created a work culture that supports and empowers women.

Women also face unique challenges, such as managing work and family responsibilities. We offer a range of support options, including flexible working arrangements for new mothers, comprehensive healthcare coverage, unlimited sick leave, and adoption leave for primary caregivers. Such measures enable women to develop their careers without constraints and without being sidelined or excluded from advancement opportunities.

More importantly, we believe that work-life balance is crucial for employees’ well-being and productivity. As a means of enabling this, we have established norms for work from home, which have continued even after the pandemic. This has helped us create a supportive work environment, allowing employees to achieve a healthy balance.

As a leader, I am proud to be part of an organisation that values diversity and inclusion, and I encourage other organisations to consider adopting similar practices. It is our collective responsibility to create a work culture that is inclusive, supportive, and where everyone feels valued, respected, and motivated to be their best. By pushing for progress, supporting one another, and creating a world where all individuals can flourish, let’s shatter barriers and establish a more equitable future.