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.