Women tech leaders share insights on how to tackle challenges and embrace opportunities
“If you do not allow one to become a lion, he will become a fox. Women are a power, only now it is more evil because man oppresses woman; she is the fox, but when she is no longer oppressed, she will be the lion.”
These lines of Vivekvani resonates the idea of a modern woman who thrives like the ‘Queen’ of the jungle. Today, one of the essential features of the modern woman is her leadership, be it home or at workplace. Women are increasingly occupying positions of power and influence in various fields which was once ruled by men.
A woman’s ambition, resilience, and determination to break shackles and shatter stereotypes is how a modern woman is characterized today.
Today the rise of women leadership positions indicates a broader societal shift towards gender equality and recognition of women’s talents and contributions.
Workplace challenges faced by women today
Let’s be real there are still challenges for a woman to become a leader or else we shouldn’t be talking about it in 2024. Women in various caregiving roles, such as mothers, daughters, or wives, often bear the weight of balancing their career aspirations with familial responsibilities, encountering significant backlash in the process.
Gender bias compounds these challenges, as women frequently confront inaccurate perceptions and unconscious biases, resulting in limited opportunities and a persistent pay gap. These biases not only hinder women’s professional advancement but also perpetuate inequities in the workplace, making it difficult for women to achieve work-life balance and recognition for their contributions.
Smita Hashim, Chief Product Officer, Zoom Video Communications, says, “Despite the increasing visibility of women leaders in tech, the disparity remains. It’s important to challenge and change the narratives around women’s roles in technology from the ground up including redefining educational curricula, promoting gender-neutral opportunities, and recognizing the achievements of women in tech at par with their male counterparts.”
Also, Barbara Matthews, Chief People Officer, Remote says, “Addressing these challenges demands systemic change, including policies promoting diversity and inclusion, fostering supportive cultures, and advocating for equal opportunities for women in leadership positions.”
Apart from gender biasness, when a woman becomes a mother, the life changing transition of a woman’s life, she faces a serious hurdle in re-entering the workforce after a maternity leave or an extended period to support children or aging parents.
Yvonne Thomson, Vice President, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion for OpenText, says, “It’s crucial for organizations to create opportunities for mentorship with others who have re-entered, career development and skills training to instill confidence, and encourage collaboration with managers to develop a plan for re-entry. With the right resources, women can continue to advance in their careers with confidence, even if they must step away for a time.”
Also women from the STEM background faces a serious issue. Gender bias in STEM environments often leads to discrimination in hiring, promotion, and recognition. Women often face underrepresentation, hostile work environments, and unequal pay and opportunities. Leaders believe one must debunk these and follow their carrer goals.
Swati Bhargava, Co-founder, CashKaro & EarnKaro, says “Stay true to your passion, and let your achievements speak louder than any gender-related misconceptions. Your presence in STEM is not just about breaking barriers; it’s about paving the way for a more inclusive and diverse future in technology and science.”
Bernadine Kharnaior, National Sales Head, Core Integra says, “Self-belief and the undeterred conviction that we belong here. It is always helpful to build a network and to seek out mentors who have succeeded in STEM. STEM fields are ever evolving, it’s important keep learning and updating whether it’s technology, tools or skills. Prove stereotypes wrong through your achievements. Show that women excel in STEM fields. Be a trailblazer!”
Muskan Kakkar, COO and Co-founder, GoMechanic, says, “Embrace your uniqueness and don’t let gender stereotypes hold you back. Seek out mentors, build a strong support network, and believe in your abilities. Remember, your contributions are invaluable to the STEM field.”
Women safety at workplace is pivotal. There are lot of challenging roles which women professionals avoid taking responsibility due to safety issues.
Also, Ajaita Shah, Founder, Frontier Markets says, “Ensuring workplace safety for women is crucial for a conducive and equitable work environment. While progress has been made, there’s still room for improvement to eliminate discrimination and harassment. Looking ahead, I foresee a gradual but positive shift. With more women in leadership roles advocating for change, I anticipate increased focus on anti-harassment training, pay equity, flexible work arrangements, and greater representation at the top. Accountability for those perpetuating or ignoring misconduct will also rise. Though change may take time, continued advocacy and action can pave the way for a safer and fairer workplace for women in the coming decade.”
Anju Munjal, Senior Vice-President, Usha International, says, “Sure, there are challenges, for example when a woman goes for a sales visit to a mofussil town or needs to work late on the shop floor, but that does not mean women should shy away from these roles – what they need to do is ensure their management provides adequate support, and to be fair organisations today are sensitised and do take relevant measures.”
It is true that, a modern woman needs to be confident in her abilities and unafraid to pursue her goals and aspirations, whether it be climbing the corporate ladder, starting her own business, or advocating for social change. And overcoming obstacles has been a lifelong experience for a woman leader, and it has given many priceless insights.
Anjali Amar, Vice President & Country Head India and SAARC, Cloudflare, says, “There are the four concepts I have hugely benefited from. First, having your own brand, both professionally and personally, is paramount. My personal brand of being a people person, authentic and growth-oriented leader has helped me navigate various challenges and roles. Second, advocating for coaching and mentorship has been pivotal in my journey. I’ve been fortunate to have mentors within and outside my organization. On the other hand, I also act as a mentor to others, expanding my own perspective. Third, fostering critical thinking among my teams, involving them in key decisions as needed. And finally, having a constant focus on the organsiational vision and goal has always helped to steer me towards a path of success. One other thing to note, despite gender disparities and biases, resilience and determination are essential.”
An inclusive environment nourishes the woman to be the ‘Lion’
An inclusive environment serves as the fertile ground where women can unleash their inner ‘Lion’. It fosters a culture of empowerment, providing equal opportunities, support, and recognition regardless of gender.
In this nurturing space, women are encouraged to roar with confidence, assertiveness, and strength, embracing their innate leadership qualities. Such environments dismantle barriers, celebrate diversity, and amplify the voices of women, enabling them to rise as powerful leaders and catalysts for change in all spheres of life. Women leaders share insights:
Anju Munjal, Senior Vice-President, Usha International says, “The corporate landscape has undergone a transformation with organisations realising the importance of diversity and embracing greater inclusivity and gender balance. In my view, women need to approach their professional work with an open mind, shedding pre-conditioned notions and persecution complexes and instead work toward honing their skills and capabilities — the one thing that that is undebatable is that the modern generation recognises and respects merit irrespective of gender.”
Smita Hashim, Chief Product Officer, Zoom Video Communications, says “my journey has been about demonstrating that women can do both — lead and innovate in their corporate roles while managing the complexities of household responsibilities. This balancing act requires a supportive network, an unwavering belief in one’s abilities, and to stay in the game. Women leaders are essential to business success broadening employee talent pools and bringing diverse viewpoints to effectively serve a wider range of customers.”
Barbara Matthews, Chief People Officer, Remote says, “As a female leader, I want to focus on retaining and developing our existing talent, offering clear paths for career advancement. The goal is to create an inclusive environment where everyone, regardless of gender, can succeed in leadership positions.”
Muskan Kakkar COO and Co-founder of GoMechanic says, “To all the women breaking barriers, remember that diversity drives progress. Stay resilient, advocate for inclusivity, and never underestimate the impact of your voice and actions in creating a more inclusive and equitable future.”
Ajaita Shah, Founder, Frontier Markets says, “It’s essential to remember that your voice matters, your contributions are valuable, and your presence is needed. Stay resilient, advocate for yourself and others, and know that you are not alone in your journey. Together, we can inspire inclusion, break down barriers, and create a more equitable and inclusive world for all.”
Anjali Amar, Vice President & Country Head India and SAARC, Cloudflare says,“Embracing challenges as an opportunity to champion diversity. Let’s continue collaborating, supporting one another, therefore paving the way for future generations, fostering innovation, and a truly inclusive business landscape.”
Swati Bhargava, Co-founder, CashKaro & EarnKaro, says, “Embrace your passion unapologetically. Recognize that your unique perspective as a woman adds immense value to the field. In the face of doubts or barriers, cultivate resilience and self-belief. Seek mentors and allies who can provide guidance and support throughout your journey. Your mark is not just personal; it’s paving the way for others to follow. Keep inspiring and pushing boundaries.”
Bernadine Kharnaior, National Sales Head, Core Integra says, “Courageously step out of your comfort zone. Remember, as you overcome barriers, you contribute not only to your own success but also to a more inclusive and diverse world.”
Yvonne Thomson, Vice President, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion for OpenText says, “Let’s continue the momentum by embracing our own unique perspectives and strengths, seeking mentorships opportunities, building networks, being bold, and inspiring one another to be the catalyst for positive change within our industry.”
The world has come a long way today we see more and more women leaders emerge. As women continue to rise to prominence and lead in diverse spheres of life, the concept of the modern woman will continue to evolve, inspiring positive change and progress for all.
Happy Women’s Day!
