When women first entered the Olympic arena in Paris, in 1900, they were outnumbered – 22 female athletes to 975 male athletes!
Paris 2024 changed this 124-year-long gender imbalance. This year, for each of the 5250 male participants, the Olympic Games put an equal number of women on the tracks. 5250: 5250! The 50-50 gender split is a milestone worthy of celebration, as it comes after a long and committed journey towards equality and fair play. This momentous breaking of glass ceilings and setting of new standards of inclusivity in sports is not only a triumph for the athletic world but also holds valuable lessons for the corporate sector. In the corporate world, the demand for gender parity is rightfully growing. From empowerment of the girl child, to greater representation of women in the workforce, to equal pay for equal work and an equal playing field in every sphere, there is a rising awareness of the need for parity democracy.
India’s Corporate Race Track
At the corporate level, India’s progress towards gender parity needs to be worked on.
The World Economic Forum’s 2024 Global Gender Gap Report reports that India has slipped two positions, despite closing 64.1% of its gender gap. Although the report admits that there have been incremental improvements in economic participation, India requires substantial interventions to bridge the gender divide.
Encouragingly, the tide seems to be turning, as more businesses are recognising the importance of a diverse workplace.
Momentum is building in the corporate world as more companies are implementing policies and programs aimed at achieving gender parity. Initiatives such as promoting more women in senior leadership roles, mandatory representation of women in the boardroom, higher targets for hiring more women in the workforce, policies such as flexible working hours, paid parental leave for both parents, women-oriented workshops and mentorship initiatives are contributing to a more inclusive and supportive work environment.
Bollywood: scripting a new story
Even Bollywood, India’s Hindi film industry which was once reflective of the misogyny in society, is now making significant strides in embracing gender equality, on and off screen.
Female actors are vocal in their demand for equal pay as compared with their male counterparts.
With increased representation in key roles, they are challenging traditional gender norms. A few cases in point would be box-office hits like Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy, Alankrita Shrivastava’s Lipstick Under My Burkha, Piku by Shoojit Sircar and Queen by Vikas Bahl – all movies that have put the damsel in distress on the shelf and now portray women as equals who are capable of taking charge of their destiny.
Women in Science: Unrealised Potential
The gender disparity in Indian science is rather alarming. While women constitute a significant portion of undergraduate and graduate students, their numbers dwindle at the higher academic level.
Studies reveal a steep decline in women in postdoctoral positions and professorships. Their low number in leadership roles, particularly at premier institutions, is worrisome. In addition, the absence of female recipients of India’s most prestigious award for scientific research, the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award, for two consecutive years, emphasises the challenges faced by women scientists in India.
According to a BiasWatchIndia study, women remain glaringly underrepresented in Indian STEM faculties, constituting only 13.5% of faculty members across 98 institutions. Considering that STEM is the future, this low representation of women does not bode well.
These pointers underscore the need for equal opportunities and support systems to retain and elevate female talent in the scientific realm.
Fortunately, initiatives such as mentorship programs and research grants specifically targeted at women scientists are gaining traction, signalling a positive shift in the landscape. Several companies are building it into their corporate mandates to support women in technology and other careers of the future.
Gender: not an obstacle to success
In the sports fields of India, women are leaving an indelible mark – India’s Women in Blue have redefined the sport, achieving remarkable feats such as Shafali Verma’s record-breaking double century and Smriti Mandhana’s milestone of 7,000 international runs across all formats.
This said, there still exists significant disparities in terms of resources, compensation, and media coverage of our sportswomen. Achieving true equality in sports requires more investment in terms of time and finance, better coaching infrastructure, more professional selection processes and sustained efforts to encourage and empower female athletes.
Pitching a case for better business and better performanceTaking a leaf from Paris 2024, where three of the top four nations—the United States, China, and Australia had female athletes contributing between 58.73% – 62.64% of their total medals, the corporate world must pitch for more female representation in the workforce. The medals showcase the immense potential and achievements of women in high-performance environments.
It’s a clear call for businesses to foster greater gender parity and unlock the untapped talent within their organisations.
Nirupama VG is MD Ad Astra Consultants