A study by consulting firm Bain & Company found that few women tend to make it to higher echelons of management. DNA asks if there is a deliberate attempt to keep them away from leadership.
Society never shared credit
The survey may give us a percentage of women who haven’t reached the top. But no survey can estimate how much our society has lost in the absence of their presence at the top level. The current era is not an exception. Even in the past a woman’s talent was suppressed. Forinstance, why is there no great woman artist like Picasso, Leonardo da Vinci, Beethoven, and Mozzart? Women have been initiated into folk music and art, but they have never got recognition. This is because a patriarchal society never shared credit with women. But we must accept that they are capable of accomplishing big tasks. If they get the opportunity, women can surpriseall with their extraordinary talent. Now society has started recognising this.
—Javed Akhtar, writer & lyricist
The times are changing fast
I don’t agree with the survey and its findings. The conclusions are illusory most of the time. The scenario may have been true a few years ago, but today things have changed. When it comes to capability or talent, women are not inferior to anyone. In every sector, women are doing well. Our law has already given them equal rights. Today there is a culture and social environment that is giving them equal opportunity to share the same growth path as men. Even families are backing women to enter business ventures in any sector. Women are not weaker than men. Today, if we examine the scenario in our country, there are a large number of women who are leading in their respective arenas, whether it comes to business, art, music, or filmmaking.
—Govinda, actor
Myths about capabilities prevail
Leadership can come only when there are opportunities to get educated. According to our estimate, 24% of girls are never enrolled in an educational institute. Of the total number of girl students, 60% don’t even reach the secondary school level. Will these statistics enable women to become leaders in business? Myths still exist about a woman’s abilities in certain areas, including leadership positions. There is gender discrimination in our country and people have problems accepting women in decision-making roles, despite many having proved themselves to be good leaders. Women are perceived as emotional and sentimental. Many feel they may be a liability if put in positions of power.
—Puja Marwaha, CEO, CRY India
Despite track record, doubts linger
This survey has brought out the truth. I have heard stories of women losing out on exciting career opportunities only because of their sex. However, there are some corporate groups which trying to inculcate an equal opportunities environment. There may be some companies where women are at the helm and bringing about change. But they are not thought of as good leaders, despite the fact that women have proved to be better administrators. There are misplaced fears that women will prioritise domestic duties. Though we have come a long way as a society, a woman’s career is still not taken seriously. How often have we heard of a husband changing his job because his wife has been offered a good career opportunity?
—Kajal Ambedkar, director, BITS Pvt Ltd
Corporations should be supportive
Women aren’t deliberately kept out of leadership positions. In India we have many women at the helm compared to the United States. Leadership positions depend on how much time you can devote at the workplace. We have done a study in South India where 500 women were interviewed. More than 50% of them said they would like to have a proper balance between work and home. So the organisation isn’t creating a hurdle, it’s their mindset and priorities. They have the potential, but at end of the day, it's their choice. During crucial stages of their career, women opt to be with their children, if they have their exams, for instance. So organisations need to give more support to women.
—Anita Ramachandran, CEO, Cerebrus Consultants
Don’t take easy way out, fight on
Today one sees more working women compared to previous years and this trend is bound to keep growing. One finds women in higher positions today, but they are obviously not on a par with men. But one can't only blame that on gender disparity. It's time we changed our approach and stopped looking for acceptance from society. I run ultra-marathons, I was the first Indian to run a 100 mile race in the Himalayas, considered to be one of the most difficult terrain races in the world. Very few Indian men have even attempted it. I was ridiculed by friends in the beginning but when I succeeded, I gained the respect of my male peers, who look up to me now. It's always a fight, but something won that way is always admired.
—Priya Darshini, ultra-marathoner
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