Spotlight on International Women’s Day | ChannelDrive.in
International Women’s Day is celebrated every year on 8th of March. It is a great occasion to celebrate the idea of empowerment for women with – inclusion, diversity and freedom. Here is what the leading women from the tech industry are saying this Women’s Day.
Aruna C. Newton, Vice President, Head – Diversity and Inclusion, ESG Governance & Reporting, Infosys
“At Infosys, we celebrate the inspiring journeys of our women employees who are shaping the future of technology across industries. We have built several high quality, very intentional developmental interventions, that are active year-long, to affirm our commitment to enable women to enjoy the careers they aspire for. Some examples include, ‘#amTheFuture’ a leadership coaching program, in partnership with Stanford GSB, the Infosys ‘Orbit Next’ program for managers, ‘Tech Cohere’ a program that focuses on nurturing and building a vibrant and collaborative tech community of engineers, architects and technologists to refine architecture design and software engineering practices, and mentorship interventions. Our efforts extend to nurturing the creation of powerful supportive ecosystems that inspire inclusion. Our campaign for International Women’s Day 2024 #SpotltToStoplt, focuses on action that all stakeholders including women themselves can take to create awareness around microaggressions that are the result of unconscious gender bias and act on them to inspire inclusion.”
Belinda Pervan, Vice President, APJ Marketing, Veeam Software
“International Women’s Day (IWD) is the time for everyone, not just women, to be reminded of the importance of ongoing education, making space for conversations, and celebrating the positive impact of diverse teams. It’s also a great time to check-in with ourselves for unconscious biases and how we can personally impact our community. I’m a passionate believer in the power of mentoring. Inspiration and confidence comes from meeting others who have been through relatable situations and learning from how they overcame challenges. For this very reason, I co-lead Mentor Walks in Singapore, providing women with bi-monthly walking mentoring sessions around the beautiful Marina Bay Sands I’m also part of a women’s networking group, LeanIn Circle, aimed at supporting women in their career ambitions and leadership challenges. These women come from diverse backgrounds, but all share similar challenges and vulnerabilities. The support I’ve seen and received in these groups has shown me the value of community and network, and that everyone needs support at different times. I’ve seen some incredible examples of inspiring inclusivity within these communities, for example mentees inviting and encouraging each other to network and embrace new opportunities.”
Archana Jahagirdhar, Managing Partner, Rukam Capital
“It’s heartening to see more and more women taking up entrepreneurship and have seen many women achievers creating successful businesses and delivering excellent value to all stakeholders. The challenges in the startup ecosystem are immense for everyone irrespective of gender but have seen the contribution of women are unique and their capabilities are essential and provide an extra edge to the entire team across different functions. As India’s growth story continues to march forward, we do see a much greater contribution from women in Indian businesses and entrepreneurial spirit.“
Kavitha Ramachandragowda, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Routematic
“The technology landscape in our country is witnessing a powerful transformation as women carve their path, proving that brilliance, determination, and ambition knows no gender. Women are shattering stereotypes and emerging as powerful, influential leaders, contributing significantly to the success of enterprises, job creation, and India’s economy. According to Women’s in India’s Startup Ecosystem Report, the women’s entrepreneurial landscape is on an upward trajectory in India. My advice to aspiring female leaders is to believe in your capabilities and grab the boundless opportunities ahead. Establish clear limits, assign tasks strategically, give importance to both personal and professional well-being, and make sure you have a robust support network around you. The perseverance, fearless spirit, and drive, coupled with empathy, leadership, and communication skills that women naturally possess, will surely enable young women leaders to continue breaking barriers and thrive in their endeavours, leaving a lasting mark in the field of technology and innovation.”
Neha Bagaria, Founder & CEO, Herkey
To aspiring young women, my advice is simple but very important in today’s time. Leverage networks and communities to reach out to employers who can provide job opportunities, experts who can provide mentorship and learning, and each other to find support & motivation. Speak up with confidence, champion your own growth, and face biases with determination. Building a supportive network is key. Surround yourself with mentors and peers who encourage you to reach your full potential. When faced with setbacks, embrace resilience. Reject thoughts of giving up or self-doubt and keep your eyes on your goals. Believe in the extraordinary capabilities you have. As women, we possess the strength to achieve whatever we set our minds to.”
Manisha Dubey, Head of IDEMIA India Foundation & VP Marketing Communications & Brand, IDEMIA
“In today’s digital world, skilling and development initiatives are essential for unlocking the vast potential of women. By providing access to opportunities and empowering women with relevant skills and knowledge, these programs enable them to close the gender gap in STEM fields and tech-related industries. Moreover, skilled women bring diverse perspectives and drive innovation, fostering creativity and pushing boundaries in technology and business. Economic empowerment follows suit as women secure higher-paying jobs and better economic opportunities, contributing to the prosperity of communities. Additionally, skilling programs cultivate adaptability and resilience, equipping women to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Ultimately, investing in the skilling and development of women not only benefits individuals but also drives societal and economic growth, creating a more inclusive and innovative future for all.”
Vaishnavi Shukla, HR Head, Comviva
“We acknowledge the remarkable achievements and unwavering dedication of women in the fast-growing tech and telecom industry, and we take immense pride in the resilience and invaluable contributions of women within our workforce. Our dedicated programs ensure women are supported at each of the crucial stages and milestones of their life and that they have equal opportunities to thrive and contribute meaningfully to our organization’s success. We are constantly engaged in accelerating our women leader’s careers and creating a workplace where every voice is valued and heard. From our comprehensive campus hiring programs to internal growth and promotions to an overall wellbeing intervention at each stage, we ensure a bias free mindset. As a result of this, our Gender diversity ratio has seen a rise of ~4% and we are absolutely thrilled about it. Comviva has put significant efforts in creating an enabling environment for female employees to grow where they can upskill themselves despite the daily challenges and we have made every stride towards that direction. Our commitment to supporting working mothers is demonstrated through comprehensive maternity leave benefits and on-site creche facilities at our offices. At Comviva, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where every woman can thrive and contribute meaningfully to our collective achievements.”
Simran Sharma, Co-Founder and Lead Product Manager, Yodda Elder Care
“Indian women are showcasing their exceptional abilities in different fields today and facilitating various developmental and environmental goals. At this juncture, when India is striving to accomplish various ambitious goals including Viksit Bharat 2047, the role of women in the 0065conomy becomes critical. To harness this pool of talent, India needs to offer them the requisite support and create a favorable and encouraging environment for them. Their tremendous ascent in the entrepreneurship landscape is a testimony that they can take on roles that are considered men’s land today and can build a business, generate wealth and create numerous employment opportunities. This International Women’s Day is the perfect occasion for diverse collaborations to take concrete measures and actively support today’s ambitious women to contribute to India’s success story.”
Anjali Sharma, Director, Global Head of L&D, Fulcrum Digital
“The ascent of women in tech in India is both a triumph and a call to action. Despite the challenges within the traditionally male-dominated realm, we have witnessed a remarkable shift as women rise through the ranks, particularly in cutting-edge fields like deep tech. In recognition of the importance of diverse perspectives in technology development, women have proven to bring unique value for equity in tech, ethical innovation, and inclusivity.
However, a significant gender gap still exists: in India today, 43% of STEM course enrolees are female, which is one of the highest in the world; however, only 14% of tech leadership roles in the country are held by women. This inconsistency exists due to barriers such as societal norms and biases that keep women from progressing in the tech industry.
When advocating for an increased representation of women in tech, learning and development (L&D) becomes essential. Investing in education, mentorship, and leadership initiatives empowers women to break barriers.
The journey towards gender equality in tech is a shared responsibility, with collaboration needed from individuals, organizations, and policymakers. Let’s move forward inspired by progress, committed to transformative education and mentorship, to shape a more inclusive and innovative future in technology.”
Poonam Puthran, Executive Vice President – Banking at Aurionpro
“We are honoured to be part of a movement where women are at the forefront of technology, breaking barriers, and leading with vision. This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the incredible women in tech who inspire and pave the way for others. Within Aurionpro Solutions, ‘Inspiring Inclusion’ isn’t just a theme, it’s the cornerstone of our approach.
Empowering women in technology is our commitment and we are dedicated to championing inclusivity, embracing diversity, and fostering a workplace where every voice is valued. Together, we ignite inclusion and cultivate an environment of innovation that propels us toward collective success.
In the dynamic world of technology, women play a pivotal role in shaping the landscape. With their leadership and resilience, we chart a course towards excellence, driving our organization forward with purpose and determination. Today, we stand together, proud of our achievements and inspired by the limitless possibilities ahead.”
Geetha Ramanna, Director, Software Development and Network Security, Sophos
“Within the cybersecurity industry, there is a strong need to invest in and embrace the potential of women to transform the sector. In my experience, working in an environment where mentorship is encouraged, and robust support systems thrive, can be a game-changer and opens up several doors for our growth. Cybersecurity is a highly dynamic space, with its fair share of complexities. Being able to efficiently work in such an environment requires innovative thinking, adaptability and empathy- the qualities that women excel in. An increase in representation in the sector is not only about diversity, it’s about ensuring a more resilient and inclusive digital world. As we move ahead, we look forward to a world with increased inclusivity and seeing more women techies thrive in the cybersecurity space.”
Puneet Gupta, vice president & managing director, NetApp India/SAARC
“Witnessing the impactful role women play in sales and tech has been truly inspiring. I draw inspiration from their strength and tenacity. Their dedication and innovative approaches constantly drive our team forward. Women bring with them unique perspectives and unwavering determination which serve as a constant reminder of the limitless potential we possess when we embrace diversity and collaboration in the workplace.
Diversity is an important pillar for NetApp, and we are consistently increasing our women representation across ranks. At the same time, our journey is not confined to numbers; it extends to creating an ecosystem where every individual can thrive regardless of gender. I take pride in seeing the achievements of the women at NetApp. They’re not just driving technological advancements but are actively shaping a future where innovation breaks through gender stereotypes.”
Picture Courtesy: Pixabay.com
