Despite various regulations aimed at addressing gender diversity, women occupy only 19% of C-suite roles in India, according to research by Avtar, a workplace culture consulting firm.
This figure is significantly lower than the global average of 30%, highlighting the need for targeted initiatives to bridge this gap.
Women in C-Suite Roles: Barriers to Gender Diversity
One of the primary obstacles hindering women’s progress to leadership positions is the challenge of work-life integration, cited by approximately 60% of respondents in the study.
The pandemic has further exacerbated this issue, with many women struggling to balance their professional and personal responsibilities.
Gender bias in hiring and promotion also continues to impede progress, with 44% of respondents identifying this issue.
Many believe that leveraging data and AI could play a crucial role in mitigating this bias and creating more equitable opportunities for women in leadership roles.
Attrition Rates of Women and Talent Shortage
Another significant barrier is the shortage of qualified female candidates for leadership roles, highlighted by 41% of respondents.
To achieve meaningful progress in gender diversity at the top, we must address challenges related to organisational culture, work-life balance, and persistent gender bias.
The study also points out that attrition rates at senior leadership levels have been a concern, with rates rising sharply from 4% in 2019 to 10% in 2020 due to the pandemic’s impact on women’s careers.
Although there has been a slight recovery, the rates remain above pre-pandemic levels, indicating ongoing challenges in retaining women in leadership roles.
Recommendations for Improvement
To address these issues, the study calls for comprehensive organisational reforms to build a supportive culture, enhance opportunities, and ensure the representation of women in leadership roles across India.
Targeted diversity-driven executive searches, which offer customised and comprehensive strategies to ensure an equitable recruitment and advancement process, are recommended as an effective approach to bridge the gender gap.
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