According to UN Women, a significant obstacle to achieving gender equality by 2030 is the alarming deficit in financing, with a staggering USD 360 billion annual shortfall in spending on gender-equality measures. This funding gap underscores the persistent inequalities that continue to hinder progress, despite increasing recognition of women’s rights. It’s important to acknowledge these disparities and collectively strengthen the effort towards women’s inclusion.
Encouraging diverse perspectives is critical to spurring creativity and innovation at the workplace and in society. Even as India Inc. has set an example with a proactive approach to providing equal access to education and offering professional opportunities for women, there are more investments to be made. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, women leaders share their insights:
Sindhu Gangadharan, SVP and MD, SAP Labs India; Vice Chairperson, Nasscom
“This year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Inspiring Inclusion”, resonates deeply with me, as it encapsulates the essence of the opportunities in fostering gender diversity and equality, particularly within the tech industry. While we’ve made significant strides in attracting women to entry-level positions, there remains a glaring disparity as we ascend the leadership ladder. As leaders, it’s incumbent upon us to not only lead by example but also create ecosystems that empower and retain female talent.
At SAP Labs India, we recognize the importance of providing early support networks and mentorship programs to women embarking on their professional journeys. These initiatives are instrumental in instilling confidence and building a robust foundation for future growth. However, addressing the systemic barriers hindering women’s progression into leadership roles demands a multifaceted approach.
As leaders, the onus is on us to actively dismantle entrenched biases and stereotypes, implementing policies and practices that foster diversity, equity, and inclusion at every level of our organization. Embracing flexibility and promoting work-life balance are essential components of this strategy, ensuring that women can thrive both personally and professionally. Our commitment to offering flexible work arrangements, parental leave policies, and childcare support underscores our dedication to supporting the diverse needs of our workforce. Moreover, investing in targeted leadership development programs tailored to the unique challenges faced by women is imperative. These programs not only provide essential skills and networking opportunities but also serve as catalysts for bridging the gender gap in leadership roles. By equipping women with the tools and resources they need to succeed, we create a more inclusive and dynamic workplace culture.
However, achieving true gender equality in the tech sector requires collaborative efforts across organizations, academia, and governmental bodies. We must continue to advocate equal representation and opportunities for women in STEM fields, leveraging initiatives such as inclusive recruiting practices and specialized career development programs. By embracing diversity and inclusion, we not only foster innovation and creativity but also pave the way for a more equitable future. As we commemorate International Women’s Day and reflect on our progress, let us reaffirm our commitment to inspiring inclusion and driving meaningful change.”
Prashanti Bodugum, VP, U.S. Omni Platforms Tech, Walmart Global Tech
“#Inspire Inclusion is an important message to celebrate the unique perspectives and contributions of women. It calls for breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes to forge a more inclusive world where women feel valued and are empowered to thrive. As a tech leader, I feel especially proud to see a steady rise in the number of women pursuing careers in STEM. However, entering the workforce is not enough. It is important for organizations to expand opportunities and resources to help women achieve their true potential and have a voice at every table.
At Walmart—our starting point is always our people. As a people-led, tech-powered organization, we focus on building a workplace where everyone thrives and feels like they belong. We are deeply invested in driving a long-term strategy to consistently educate, empower and engage our associates.
Our Women’s Resource Community (WRC) spearheads several initiatives to ensure there are opportunities and support to grow in the workplace. ‘EmpowHER’ is a career development program for our high-potential women associates at mid-management levels. ‘LeadHER’ provides developmental opportunities for women preparing for leadership roles. Additionally, we offer mentorship programs such as ‘W-Connect’, ‘Lean In Circles’ and ‘Walmart Women in Tech’. ‘ReSpark’—an upskilling initiative—supports women who choose to return to the workforce after a break.
Our policies and benefits are designed to help all associates manage their holistic well-being including life changes and personal priorities. For instance, expecting mothers are supported with a guided pregnancy care program, exclusive nutrition and counseling services, extensive ergonomics assistance and creche support. Our holistic maternity coverage is inclusive of fertility treatment and delivery via surrogacy. Additionally, all our insurance policies cover adopted children and children born via surrogacy as dependents. We also recognize the responsibilities of being a caregiver and offer a range of support for elder care, children and other dependents.”
Vanita Prabhu, Sr. Staff Engineer, Nutanix India
“Fostering women’s leadership is pivotal for organizational success, making it essential for organizations to adopt proactive strategies to ensure their growth and success. By actively championing career advancement opportunities and implementing inclusive recruitment practices, organizations can cultivate a diverse talent pool. Additionally, mentorship and sponsorship programs are key to connecting women with seasoned leaders, further encouraging them to take up leadership roles. This holistic approach fosters a culture that not only attracts but also empowers women into leadership roles, fostering diversity, innovation, and ensuring sustained organizational excellence.
At Nutanix, our commitment lies in cultivating an inclusive environment that prioritizes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) initiatives. We are steadfast in providing tailored technical education, scholarships, and career advancement pathways for our female workforce. This reinforces our dedication to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive and contribute their unique perspectives to propel our organization forward.”
Anu Matthew, Chief People Office, Perfios
“At Perfios, diversity and inclusivity are core to our success and are nurtured through a plethora of initiatives for empowering women and driving innovation. In the context of an ever-evolving industry landscape, we constantly push the boundaries of social norms and break gender-based barriers to shape the future. Through our core values, we have championed diversity organization-wide by upholding principles that encourage Perfians to care deeply and achieve together. Our ongoing efforts, highlighted by our Diversity & Inclusion initiative, include our Women Accelerator Program, an 8-week initiative designed to support emerging women leaders through their ascent, with 10 seasoned leaders acting as success catalysts. This program focuses on honing industry-specific skills and addresses the distinctive challenges women encounter daily, emphasizing the importance of shared growth experiences within a supportive peer community.
To further provide supporting frameworks aimed at boosting women’s career growth, we’ve launched a 6-month-long Leadership Program for our next-gen women leaders. This program, designed and conducted by IIM Calcutta faculty, tailored specifically for Perfios leaders, will leave a lasting impact not only within our organization but also on our women workforce. Participants gain access to abundant resources, mentorship, and growth opportunities aimed at unlocking their full potential. As pioneers in our field, we also actively foster innovation through intrapreneurship programs like Ideathons, where employees from across the organization collaborate and ideate to work on their dream products and then get a chance to bring them to life. By nurturing a culture that energizes and inspires, we are not just building a company, but creating a legacy that will live on through the future. As we journey forward, we’ll continue to champion diversity and inclusion, shaping a workplace where every individual thrives, every talent flourishes, and every dream is within reach.”
