Editor's Note


From the Editor's Desk...

Presenting the Union Budget of 2023, India’s Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, emphasised on Nari Shakti (women power) as the key to the country’s bright future. Although, over the years, recognition of women’s contribution to the economy has been reiterated by our leaders, the road to achieving gender equity has proven to be a long one.

The last decade witnessed multiple highs and lows for women in the workforce. While the labour force participation of women plummeted to a new low, women increasingly joined the ranks of rising entrepreneurs and leaders, holding C-suite positions across industries, entering male-dominated arenas, and challenging social stereotypes.

While we experience and celebrate their progress, it remains a reminder of gender biases still pervading our society. Therefore, we need to understand the obstacles they face in entering the workforce, the challenges they encounter on their journey to the top, and the scrutiny they are subjected to when they stand in top leadership positions.

In this issue, let’s delve into the details and explore the solutions towards achieving an equitable society.

  • Women’s proclivity towards responsible financial planning has been observed since generations. Learn how institutions can further nurture this trait to create an inclusive financial atmosphere.

  • Discover the changing landscape of women in leadership positions as they break down gender stereotypes and the traditional expectation to bring only "soft" values into organisations.

  • India’s female workforce participation rates have been on a decline. Understand the reasons behind the plummeting metric from the demand, supply, and policy standpoint.

  • Women entrepreneurship in India is on the rise, but the numbers on the investment front fail to reflect this surge. Understand the nuances of women’s access to credit.

  • Traditional gender roles dictate that the domestic kitchen is a woman’s sanctum, while the professional kitchens remain a man's arena. Read more about the trends that impact women in the food industry.

  • The patriarchal setup of society continues to manifest inside and outside technology. Tune into our podcast to understand the importance of women in the inception, design, and development of equitable technological solutions.

Professor Saumya Sindhwani
Executive Director - Centre for Learning and Management Practice

Expert Speak

Her Money, Her Power: Financial Literacy and its Importance for Women

To promote financial literacy among women, it is important to customise products to suit the needs and income stream of women, writes Chetna Sinha, Founder of Mann Deshi Bank.

Shattering the Glass Ceiling: Women's Journey to Leadership

Why is there an inherent lack of trust faced by women in leadership positions? Leadership advisor, Gauri Padmanabhan, elaborates on how women leaders can navigate complex workplaces.

The Untapped Potential of India's Female Workforce

What keeps a significant portion of India's female workforce out of the productive economy? Yuvika Singhal from QuantEco, sheds light on this issue.

Understanding Access to Credit for Women Entrepreneurs in India

How does gender influence one’s candidacy for financial credit? Deepthi Ravula, CEO of WE Hub, delves into the obstacles to women’s access to funding.

From Cooks to Chefs: Breaking Stereotypes for Women in the F&B Industry

Women in the food industry in India have demonstrated remarkable adaptability and agility. MasterChef Pankaj Bhadouria highlights how women have carved their own space in this male-dominated industry.

Podcast

Technology and Women: Finding Agency Through Dating Apps

Vidya Madhavan, Founder and CEO, Schmooze

What remains common about the tech and the dating scene is their assumption of men as the active participants and women as the passive receivers in the play. This manifests in their (un)holy union—dating apps, which further promote heteronormative expectations of society. With the introduction of women led dating apps, Vidya Madhavan, Founder and CEO of Schmooze, helps us explore if technology, when inclusive, can help subvert dominant discourses and empower women with agency. 

The idea of ISB Management ReThink was born out of the impending need to revisit and redefine the time-tested tenets of management, and at the same time, identify how they can still hold on to their relevance in contemporary times. With the ever-changing dynamics of management philosophies, and the associated classroom teaching methodology, it is about time to readjust the focus by shaking the fundamentals, breaking myths and bringing about the change necessary to survive in this cut-throat era of stiff competition.