The Challenge of Gender Diversity in India's Corporate Leadership

Despite concerted efforts and regulatory measures aimed at enhancing gender diversity, women in India hold only 19% of C-suite positions, significantly lower than the global average of 30%. This disparity underscores the urgent need for targeted initiatives to foster female leadership.

Work-Life Integration: A Major Hurdle

Research conducted by Avtar, a workplace culture consulting firm, reveals that work-life integration is a significant barrier for women, with 60% of respondents identifying it as a major challenge. This highlights the necessity for systemic changes beyond mere hiring and promotion practices to support women's advancement in leadership roles.

Addressing Attrition and Gender Bias

The study also points to rising attrition rates among senior leadership, exacerbated by the pandemic's impact on women's careers. Additionally, gender bias in hiring and promotion processes continues to hinder progress, with 44% of respondents acknowledging this issue. Leveraging data and AI could mitigate bias and create more equitable opportunities.

Organizational Culture and Talent Shortage

For women to thrive in leadership roles, an improvement in organizational culture is imperative. Furthermore, the shortage of qualified female candidates, cited by 41% of respondents, remains a critical factor in the skewed gender diversity. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach to foster meaningful change.