The EquiLead team had the privilege of attending the "Women in Leadership in Corporate India" panel discussion. Here are some insights.
Recently, some of us from the EquiLead team had the privilege of attending the "Women in Leadership in Corporate India" panel discussion hosted by The Quantum Hub (TQH). The event marked the launch of a pivotal report on women's leadership in India.
About the Report
Commissioned by LinkedIn India, the report by TQH leverages insights from LinkedIn’s Economic Graph data across various sectors to present an in-depth analysis of women's leadership in corporate India. The findings highlight the current landscape and propose actionable strategies for enhancing women's representation in leadership roles.
Access the report here.
Event Highlights and Key Discussion Points
The event featured distinguished speakers, including Aditi Jha, Board Member and Director & Country Head of Legal & Public Policy, LinkedIn, who set the context by addressing the sectoral imbalance in women's representation. She emphasized the need for initiatives like skill-based hiring and flexible work policies to improve the hiring and retention of women in corporate workplaces.
Anna Roy, Senior Advisor at NITI Aayog, delivered a compelling keynote address referencing the Decoding Government Support to Women Entrepreneurs in India report by Niti Ayog and MicroSave Consulting (MSC) which identifies scheme-based support available across six essential needs of entrepreneurs and the need for women entrepreneurs to be handheld post scheme implementation to ensure success of their enterprises.
There is a large drop in women's representation when moving from entry-level roles (29%) to managerial roles (18%) to leadership roles (15%). LinkedIn has introduced a career break feature to normalize career breaks and maternity leaves and built-in nudges to ensure job descriptions are Gender Inclusive. Shivani Kumar, Executive Director, CII Centre for Women Leadership, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are currently working on a study to evaluate the gains for companies if they invest in women-friendly resources like these.
- Structured Approach to Diversity - A structured approach to diversity, with clear goals and measurable outcomes, is essential for making meaningful progress. Companies need to implement specific programs aimed at developing and retaining female leaders.
- Creating a Supportive Ecosystem - Building a supportive ecosystem that includes mentorship programs, leadership training, and networking opportunities is key to fostering women's leadership. Such an ecosystem helps women to build confidence and expand their professional networks.
- Continuous Education and Sensitization - Regular training and sensitization programs for all employees can help in reducing unconscious biases and fostering a more inclusive culture. Continuous education on diversity and inclusion should be a part of the organizational strategy.
- Celebrating Success Stories - Highlighting and celebrating the success stories of women leaders within the organization can inspire others and create a positive ripple effect. Success stories serve as powerful testimonials and motivate aspiring leaders.
- Long-term Commitment - Achieving gender diversity in leadership requires a long-term commitment from top management. It's not just about implementing policies but also about changing the organizational culture and mindset.
The panel discussion provided valuable insights into enhancing women's leadership in corporate India. Our EquiLead team engaged with industry experts, gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in this space.
