AS WE TRY to harness India's rapid economic growth potential, it is also pertinent to take note of the widespread gender disparity that has led to the country being ranked 140 among the 156 countries in the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report, 2021. It is estimated that less than 9 per cent of Indian businesses have women as top leaders and the percentage of female board members in listed companies is a meagre 15.9 per cent. Considering that women make up nearly half of the country's population, this imbalance is glaring and needs urgent attention from all stakeholders.
When I joined IIM Calcutta, the representation of women was relatively low compared to men. Out of the 150-odd students in my batch, only seven to 10 were women. Despite the imbalance, there were positive dynamics within the class, as everyone interacted well and was comfortable with each other. However, during the placement process, there were still limitations on the types of companies willing to hire women and the specific roles offered to them. Fortunately, in recent years, there has been a noticeable shift, leading to an improvement in women's representation. However, there is still work to be done to ensure gender parity in B-schools. India's leading B-schools have the potential to lead the way in eliminating gender disparity. As someone who has been a Co-founder and Chairperson of multiple ventures, I can vouch for the importance of creating an inclusive environment where women feel empowered to take on leadership roles. This environment can be built by ensuring access through collaborations between B-schools and the industry, to introduce mentorship programmes, scholarships and networking opportunities, specifically for women. These initiatives would encourage more women to join and aim for leadership roles.
Meena Ganesh Chairperson and Co-founder, Portea Medical
Denne historien er fra July 09, 2023-utgaven av Business Today India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra July 09, 2023-utgaven av Business Today India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Pension Scheme - Safety Net
The move to introduce the UPS has evoked mixed reactions. Analysts believe its funding will have limited impact on the fiscal math
The Reit Choice?
Real Estate Investment Trusts (Reits) Are Gaining Traction As Interest Rates Stabilise. But Returns Could Be Affected By Adverse Economic Conditions And Market Volatility
CORPORATE - Calling to Account
The sudden exit of Byju's auditor BDO marks the latest in a long series of setbacks for the edtech firm
EMPLOYMENT: Skills Push
The skill development ministry plans to partner with the UGC to improve the employability of undergraduates
Building on a Vision
L&T'S CHAIRMAN EMERITUS A. M. NAIK HAS BUILT A MAMMOTH ENTERPRISE THAT IS BUILDING A NEW INDIA, FROM ITS METRO RAIL SYSTEMS TO THE RAM TEMPLE
"KYS more important than KYC"
Vijay Kedia is a renowned equity investor; the value of his listed portfolio stands at around ₹1,750 crore
ROXX STAR
THE THAR ROXX COMBINES LUXURY WITH PERFORMANCE TO MAKE A STRONG STATEMENT IN THE MID-SIZE SUV SEGMENT
HIT THE GROUND RUNNING
Smartwatches have become indispensable tools for runners, offering real-time insights into pace, distance, heart rate, and more. Here are a few you can consider
TURNING THE TABLES
INDIA'S FURNITURE MARKET IS POISED FOR A GLOBAL TAKE-OFF. ALREADY, A HOST OF GLOBAL BRANDS HAVE MADE THE COUNTRY THEIR HOME, BUT INDIAN COMPANIES ARE NOT TOO FAR BEHIND
THE EVOLUTION OF ATHERA
IDENTIFYING OPPORTUNITIES IN ADVANCE HAS STOOD THIS BENGALURU-BASED VC FUND IN GOOD STEAD. NOW, WITH A HEIGHTENED FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY, IT WANTS TO SUSTAIN THE SUCCESS
