When you buckle up in a car, you probably don’t give much thought to whether the safety features were designed to protect you based on your gender. Yet for decades, vehicle safety design was catered predominantly to male occupants, overlooking critical differences that put female drivers and passengers at higher risk of injury. This exemplifies a broader systemic issue – from policy to medical research to technological innovations, to how the workplace is set up, all have been constructed to suit a default male “norm.”
As the world prepares to commemorate International Women’s Day on March 8, under the theme of “Inspire Inclusion,” which resonates deeply, invoking a profound reflection on the enduring journey of women towards equality and recognition across multiple spheres. Historically marginalized, women have had to fight for a seat at the table, shattering glass ceilings and challenging deep-rooted biases.
Tanaz Buhariwalla, India Director, IDA Ireland, highlights the importance of fostering inclusion actively. “Inclusion to me is respecting and adding dignity to women in my space, both professional and personal. I actively and persistently foster equity, giving everyone, regardless of their rank or position, a voice.”
This philosophy extends beyond corporate corridors. Pooja Thakran, Senior Director – Corporate Communications and CSR, Honeywell India explains how grassroots initiatives led by women have been pivotal drivers of social progress. “Through fostering empathy into action and upholding justice as an organizational pillar, women helming social sector institutions continue redefining models of activating social progress across underserved sections of society.
Especially in the social sector, we have seen a great impact of women leaders in driving inclusion and diversity in underprivileged communities. From the time of Savithribai Phule to Kamala Bhasin we have had many icons who inspired millions of women from the underserved communities to pursue education, build a career, and stand for their rights. Many grassroots initiatives led by women, like Asha workers and Anganawadi workers play a critical role in empowering the inclusion of women and act as key changemakers driving social justice Almost 12.9 lakh Anganwadi Workers in the country have significantly contributed to enhancing the health and nutrition levels of rural women and children,” she notes.
The impact of women’s leadership transcends economic metrics. Seeing women in influential positions expands possibilities for the next generation. As Dr Gowri Kukarni, Head of Medical Operations, MediBuddy points out, “When the next generation of aspiring female doctors see women directing hospitals, practices, and policies, it expands their sense of possibility and challenges outdated assumptions about gender and power. These women leaders will demonstrate firsthand, by their presence and performance, that women can excel in positions long dominated by men. The more we normalise women in leadership roles, the more it will empower young women to envision themselves in roles they may have never considered before. Only by consciously confronting gender-based barriers can we reshape perceptions and foster a more inclusive environment for all.”
Across sectors, having women in decision-making roles is proving to be a catalyst for inclusion. Supriya Goswami, Vice-President, Product Marketing, Whatfix, affirms, “Incorporating diverse perspectives enriches decision-making processes as well as fosters a culture of collaboration and creativity, resulting in more successful outcomes for our industry. Research confirms that diverse teams outperform homogeneous ones, bringing a wider range of ideas, experiences, and solutions to the table. Gartner reported that nurturing diversity and inclusion within the workplace enhances performance by 12% and boosts the workforce’s intention to stay by 20 percent.”
However, overcoming systemic barriers to ascend to leadership remains an uphill battle. Aradhana Mathur, Delivery Manager, Industrial Design & Visualisation, Tata Elxsi recounts, “The biggest challenge for me in my career path was the fear of rejection and uncertainty about how my co-workers will receive my opinions and views. My advice to aspiring women professionals would be to not shy away from asking what they need. Instead of waiting and hoping that their hard work and dedication will be recognized or waiting for others to remove obstacles, it is important for a woman to stand up for what they believe in, no matter what obstacles block their way, and find a way to make things happen.”
Fostering environments where women feel empowered to grow from imperfections is key. “Encourage women to overcome biases, celebrate their achievements, and embrace their imperfections to continuously learn and grow. We must acknowledge achievements, both one’s own and others’, and learn from imperfections’ ‘, opines Aneetha Suganandam, Senior Manager Engineering Management, Ascendion.
Leadership goes beyond authority – it’s about fundamentally transforming culture to be more equitable and inclusive. “In FinTech, where agility and adaptability are prized qualities, women leaders bring unique perspectives that contribute to the sector’s dynamism and resilience. They actively mentor and sponsor aspiring female talent, creating a virtuous cycle of empowerment and advancement,” says Chhaya Sharma, Head of Human Resources, axio.
Dhanashree Thakkar, Head of Human Resources at Bharti AXA Life Insurance, echoes a similar sentiment about shattering stereotypes ingrained from a young age. “As women, we’ve all experienced the world telling us we’re not financial experts. This narrative needs to change. Being in the financial sector, it is a personal responsibility to educate and empower women, creating role models who shatter stereotypes and inspire others. Imagine a world where every woman feels confident navigating investments, budgeting, and planning for their future.” True inclusion demands actively dismantling systemic barriers, amplifying diverse voices, and reshaping societal narratives.
