Despite progress in workplace inclusivity, wage disparity based on gender remains a pressing issue in the country.
A report by Naukri, a recruitment platform, revealed that women continue to earn less than their male counterparts across all industries. The gap is especially stark at senior levels, where pay inequality remains a significant challenge.
According to Naukri’s ‘The Unfiltered Truth: What Women Professionals Really Want’ report, pay disparity remains a significant concern, particularly at senior levels. While only 11% of women earning between Rs 2 and Rs 5 lakh per annum (LPA) perceive a gender pay gap, this number jumps to 26% for those earning between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1 crore.
The issue is most pronounced in cities like Mumbai (28%), Bengaluru (27%) and Delhi (24%), and industries like BFSI (28%), FMCG (27%), and IT (24%).
The report highlighted that over 66% of women feel encouraged to pursue leadership roles, challenging perceptions about professional ambition. One of the most striking findings is that 34% of women prioritise menstrual leave policies over equal pay, childcare, and mental health support. This preference is especially pronounced among early-career professionals, nearly half of whom see it as a non-negotiable right.
Despite this demand, the report highlights a glaring gap — 75% of workplaces still do not offer menstrual leave policies.
Further, the study also debunks the notion that women are less ambitious about leadership roles.
While 66% of respondents feel encouraged to take on leadership positions, 44% hesitate due to concerns over work-life balance. Key barriers include unclear or biased promotion processes (35%), limited leadership programmes (14%) and a lack of visible role models (7%).
The findings suggest that systemic challenges, rather than a lack of ambition, shape women’s career trajectories.
Generational differences also emerge, with 75% of early-career professionals advocating for equal leadership representation, while nearly a third of senior professionals (15+ years of experience) prioritise pay transparency.
Further, it highlights the role of male allies in fostering inclusivity. An overwhelming 82% of early-career women seek respectful mentorship from male colleagues, while 86% expect male counterparts to advocate for their leadership advancement.
Sumeet Singh, Group CMO of InfoEdge, said: “Naukri has the largest database of women professionals in India, and this puts us in a unique position to understand their workplace aspirations.”
He added: “This report is our way of ensuring their voices are heard. From menstrual leave becoming a top priority to the evolving expectations from leadership, the insights challenge some common assumptions.”