Tag: Women

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw: How Biocon Founder Became India’s First Biotech Queen?

India is among the top 12 biotechnology destinations in the world, comprising around 600 biotech companies. In this article, you are going to find information about such a person who has made wealth all on his own, with sheer hard work and perseverance.

Kiran Majumdar Shaw is an Indian Entrepreneur and Philanthropist who founded a biotechnology company, Biocon Limited in Bangalore, India. She is the Chairperson and Managing Director of Biocon. She received the Othmer Gold Medal for her exceptional contributions to the progress of science and chemistry. Financial Times named her in the business list of top 50 women. Forbes listed her as the 65th most powerful woman in the world. She was also named EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year 2020. She was ranked #2 in the Women Philanthropist list of 2019 by the Hurun Report India Philanthropy List 2019. As of the year 2020, she has an estimated net worth of $4.6 billion.

Kiran Mazumdar is the executive chairperson and the founder of one of the most prominent biopharmaceutical companies around the globe, Biocon Limited. Kiran is a person who is an inspiration to thousands of women out there who are aspiring to become entrepreneurs. Read Kiran Mazumdar Shaw’s Success Story and know more about the journey of this amazing and inspiring woman.

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw – Biography

Name	Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw
Year of Birth	23 March 1953
Nationality	Indian
Education	Graduate degree in brewing from the University of Ballarat, Melbourne
Profession	Entrepreneur, Brewmaster
Title	Executive Chairperson – Biocon Limited and Biocon Biologics Limited
Net Worth	370 crores USD
Spouse	John Shaw

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw – Personal Life
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw – Education
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw – Professional Life & Career
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw – Founder of Biocon
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw – Expansion of Biocon
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw – Board Memberships
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw – Challenges Faced in Entrepreneurship
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw – Success story
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw – Philanthropy
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw – Awards & Recognitions

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw Success Story

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw – Personal Life

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw was born to Gujarati parents in Banglore on 23rd March 1953, in a middle-class family. Her father, Rasendra Mazumdar was the head brewmaster at United Breweries.

Since childhood, she aspired to become a doctor but couldn’t get a scholarship. In 1974, she was the only girl pursuing brewery course and topped in her class. At the age of 44, Kiran got married to John Shaw in the year 1989. John was working as the chairman at Madura Coats but left the job to join Biocon with Kiran. John Shaw is serving as the Vice Chairman of Biocon since 2001.

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw – Education

Kiran initially wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps. She studied at Bangalore’s Bishop Cotton Girl’s high school.

She then took a pre-university course from an affiliate of Bangalore University, Mount Carmel College. She further graduated with a bachelor’s degree in zoology from Bangalore University in 1973.

Kiran wanted to pursue medical college but was unable to get any scholarship in any medical college. Her father then suggested to pursue fermentation science and get trained as a brewmaster, which is a very non-traditional field for women. She went to Ballarat College, Melbourne University in Australia to study malting and brewing. She earned her degree of master brewer in 1975. Kiran Shaw was the only woman who opted for the brewing course and with her intelligence, she topped in her class.

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw – Professional Life & Career

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw with Leslie Auchincloss

Kiran started her professional career from Carlton and United Breweries, Melbourne, where she worked as a trainee brewer. Kiran Mazumdar completed her training in Carlton and United Breweries. She also worked at Barrett Brothers and Burston, Australia, as a trainee maltster.

After coming back to India, she joined Jupiter Breweries in Calcutta as a technical consultant, and after gaining some experience there she worked as a Technical Manager at Standard Maltings Corporation situated in Baroda. She opted to further her career in Bangalore or Delhi but was told that “it’s a man’s profession” and that woman would not be employed as a master brewer in India.

She started looking for work overseas and was given a position in Scotland. Leslie Auchincloss, the founder of Biocon Biochemicals Limited, of Cork, Ireland met Mazumdar before she could relocate. His firm produced enzymes used in the brewing, food packaging, and textile sectors.

He was searching for an Indian entrepreneur to assist in the formation of a subsidiary in India. Kiran worked with the firm, and this was a life-changing opportunity for her. Leslie prepared her to work as a manager at his firm. Kiran went to India and began working for Biocon in a leased garage in Bangalore with an initial investment of 10,000 INR after she had a better understanding of the company’s operations and sales.

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw – Founder of Biocon

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw Founded Biocon Logo

Kiran started with Biocon in 1978, she faced many challenges because of her youth, gender, and her untested business model. No bank wanted to lend her money, thus funding was a big issue.

After getting her first funding she started with her first factory which was in a nearby 3000 sq. ft shed. The extraction of papain (a papaya enzyme used to tenderize the meat) and isinglass were the company’s first efforts (obtained from tropical catfish and used to clarify beer).

Biocon India was the first Indian firm to make enzymes and ship them to the United States and Europe within a year of its founding. Kiran invested her first year’s profits in a 20-acre property, with plans to grow in the future. Kiran transformed Biocon India from an enzyme manufacturing firm to a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company because of her unique thinking and ideas.

In 1984 Kiran discovered some new dimensions. At Biocon, a research and development team was created to focus on the development of innovative solid substrate fermentation methods. Biocon Pharmaceuticals was the first Indian biotech business to obtain funding from the United States for unique technology.

Kiran started looking for alternative opportunities which were cost-effective as well low-cost. She had also proposed that drug companies be cost-sensitive in marketing to developing countries so that people can afford the drugs they need.

Kiran and her husband John have always seen the need to provide people with the best they can, thus increasing and supplying affordable vaccines and medicines in India and helping society to overcome their medical requirements.

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw – Expansion of Biocon

She managed to establish two subsidiaries of Biocon including, Syngene in 1994 and Clinigene in 2000. Syngene provided a contractual basis early research and development support service while Clinigene focused on clinical research trials and the development of both generic and new medicines. Clinigene was later merged in Syngene and it has a current market cap of Rs.14,270.

She incorporated Biocon Biopharmaceuticals Private Limited (BBLP) in 1990 to manufacture and market a select range of biotherapeutics in a joint venture with the Cuban Center of Molecular Immunology.

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw – Board Memberships

She is a member of the board of governors of the Indian School of Business and a term member of on the board of MIT, USA till 2023. She has been a former member of the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad. She was the first woman to head the board of governors of the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB).

She is an independent director on the board of Infosys. She is a member of the General Body of Maharashtra State Innovation Society. She is also a member of the advisory board of the MIT Jameel Clinic.

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw – Challenges Faced in Entrepreneurship

She started with a seed capital of Rs.10,000. Inspite of being a joint venture, Indian laws restricted foreign ownership to only 30% of the company. Thus, 70% of the company belonged to Kiran Mazumdar Shaw.

She faced reliability challenges because of her youth, gender, and untested business model. She was unable to secure funding for her company initially. She tried hard and finally got her first financial backing. She also struggled while recruiting people to work for her startup. She had to face technological changes with an eye to building a biotech business in India, which was then having a poor infrastructure.

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw – Success story

Kiran met Leslie Auchincloss, who is the founder of Biocon Biochemicals Limited, of Cork, Ireland. The aforesaid company produces enzymes to be used in brewing, food packaging, and textile industries. Auchincloss was desperately looking for an entrepreneur in India, who would help her in establishing an Indian subsidiary of Biocon.

Kiran agreed to undertake the offer on a condition that if she did not wish to continue post six months, she would be given the position of brewmaster. She started working as a trainee manager at Biocon Limited, Cork, Ireland to learn more of the business. Post the training period, she returned India to establish the business.

In 1989, Biocon Biochemicals of Ireland was acquired from Leslie Auchincloss by Hindustan Unilever. The partnership with Unilever helped Biocon to establish best practices and quality systems across the world. Unilever then sold its chemical division including Biocon to Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI). Her husband, John Shaw invested $2 million to purchase the shares of Biocon from ICI.

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw – Philanthropy

With the great success of her company, Biocon has allowed Kiran to donate and be the support of the people who need help but do not have the resources. Kiran is a firm believer in sharing and cares about people hence giving at least half of her wealth to philanthropic work. This was when she joined The Giving Pledge movement in the year 2015.

With the support of her husband John, she started up with Mazumdar Shaw Foundation in India to help the needful. The key sectors of the foundation are Education, Healthcare, Art & Culture, and a Healthy Environment. The Foundation is involved in numerous health and education outreach programs to benefit the economically weaker sections of Indian society.

Mazumdar Shaw foundation has also established a 1400 bed cancer care center in Bangalore, in collaboration with Devi Shetty. Her goal is to create a world-class cancer center with affordable treatment.

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw – Awards & Recognitions

Kiran Mazumdar honoured by the Government of India

Kiran Mazumdar has been awarded several times for her leadership and success in entrepreneurship.

She has been Conferred with the Bombay Management Association (BMA) Business Leader of The Decade Award in 2022.
She has been awarded with the “Spirit of TiE – Trailblazers Award” by TiE Bangalore on World Entrepreneurs Day in 2021.
Biocon has been recognized among the Top 20 in the The Medicine Maker Power List 2019 under the Business Captains category in 2019.
Kiran has received Padma Shri in the year 1989 and Padma Bhushan in the year 2005.
Recipient of EY World Entrepreneur of the Year (2020) and EY Entrepreneur of the Year India Award (2019).
Recipient of Order of Australia (2020).
Recipient of ICMR’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Achievement in Healthcare (2019).
Recipient of AWSM Award for Excellence (2017).
Knight of the National Order of the French Legion of Honour (2016).
Recipient of Othmer Gold Medal (2014).
Recipient of Global Economy Prize for Business (2014).
Ranked among the world’s 16 Most Powerful Women in Leadership in 2021 by CEO Magazine.

Kiran is also fond of writing books and she loves reading novels. She has written and has got published two books: ‘Ale and Arty’ and ‘India’s Innovation Challenge for Inclusive Development.

Conclusion

The second richest self-made woman in India is the star and pride of the nation. Nobody knew about Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw but now she is one of the most influential women in the country. She has shown the world that a woman can do everything and is a living inspiration for young woman entrepreneurs.

FAQs

Who is the husband of Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw?

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is married to John Shaw.

How old is Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw?

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw was born on 23 March 1953 and is 69 years old (2022).

What is the net worth of Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw?

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has a net worth of $370 crores as of 2022.

What is Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw’s education?

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has done bachelor’s degree in zoology from Bangalore University in 1973 and earned a degree as master brewer in 1975 from Melbourne University in Australia.

July 20, 2022

Schemes Introduced By Government To Empower Women

India has mostly been a male-dominated society and women in India have always been fighting for equality. There are a lot of issues persisting in India like female infanticide and child marriage. Women don’t actually feel safe in India. This is not just in India and is common in different countries and on the whole, the world is moving towards building a society that respects and treats women equal to men.

With these issues, the Government of India is working on empowering women using various schemes. Now, we can find a lot of women trying to come out into the world in spite of having a conservative background. Most girls have access to a good education. Government of India has brought a lot of schemes into existence to make this possible and has been a huge contribution to this. Here are a few schemes introduced by Government for women empowerment.

A Few Schemes Introduced By The Government Of India

Bhartiya Mahila Bank Business Loan

Women are making mark in all the fields. Although a huge number of women have emerged to be successful, there are plenty who needs motivation and support to start or continue their venture. Bhartiya Mahila Bank Business Loan is scheme that supports women by giving them loan upto Rs.20 Crore. This bank has the vision to provide economic empowerment to women. The loan limit via this source is Rs.20 Crores.

Mudra Yojana Scheme

It is a Government of India initiative that provides business loans to women who want to open day-care-center, beauty salon or a small venture like these. The loan granted loan amount lies in Rs.50,000 and Rs.50 lakh. Also this scheme does not require any collateral or guarantor if the loan amount is below 10 Lakh. The women are given Mudra cards with which they can withdraw 10% of their loan.

Annapurna Scheme

Most of the Indian women have a talent of cooking delicious food. This loan is provided to women in the food catering industry, still establishing their small scale businesses. The loan allows these women entrepreneurs to avail it as capital requirements like buying equipment and utensils, setting up trucks, etc. Under this scheme, women can sell packed food items and snacks which is one of the most common businesses that women entrepreneurs scope out and excel in since it is something that housewives have been managing all their lives and are accustomed to. This boosts their sales since they have a chance at better capital and new products to kickstart their business than they could otherwise afford. The loan limit is Rs. 50,000 under the scheme.

Dena Shakti Scheme:

This scheme is limited only to women entrepreneurs in the fields of agriculture, retail, manufacturing, are small enterprises The maximum limit is decided according to the sector they are exploring or planning to open business in. The loan limit is Rs.20 Lakhs

Pradhanmantri Rojgar Yojana:

The Pradhanmantri Rojgar Yojana (PMRY) supports women financially and socially. This scheme aims at creating skill-based, self-employment through women entrepreneurs and smart minds at work being utilized for monetary independence. This scheme covers both urban and rural areas and was developed through several amendments in cost, eligibility, and subsidy limits. The loan subsidy amount is up to 15% of the project cost with an upper ceiling of Rs. 12,500 per borrower as a restriction. The scheme applies to all types of ventures in industries, trade and services. The age limit is 35 years and loan limit for business is Rs. 2 Lakh while for service and industry, Rs. 5 Lakh.

Udyogini Scheme:

This scheme provides loans with low rate of interest, comparatively less than skyrocketing private sector banks. This is only valid for those who have a family income of less than Rs. 40,000 per annum. They especially encourage loans in the trade and service sector and the cap amount for the same is Rs. 1 Lakh.

Mahila Udyam Nidhi Scheme:

This scheme aims to meet the gap in equity. It promotes MSMEs and small sector investments in different industries to grow and excel in their areas. This also encourages the reconstruction of SSI units that are deemed incapable but are actually viable to save. A period of 10 years is given to the debtor to repay the loan and the limit for the loan is Rs.10 Lakhs.

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao

This is a social campaign that was launched in 2015 and is run by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Human Resource Development. The initial funding was about 100 crores.

The main reason for the government to come up with this scheme was that the child gender ratio kept declining majorly because of female foeticide and selective abortion. The main objective here was to save the girl child and also educate the girl child. This has proved to make girls financially independent and self-sustaining. With this scheme, girl child or birth of a girl child is celebrated and girls are encouraged to study and follow their dreams.

Ratio of male to female in India

One-Stop Center

This is a 24-hour helpline dedicated to women. This was implemented with the help of the Nirbhaya fund. These are established in multiple locations in the country and has various services. This includes a shelter for women, legal or medical help, counselling and so on. The toll-free number is 181. They also provide video call facility to people who need to record a statement for police complain registration. This can be used even in case of domestic violence and sexual assaults. This has hence proved to be useful and is a place where women can open up and come up with their problems and try to get a reasonable solution for the same.

Working Women’s Hostel

Not all women in India have a safe place to stay. With crime against women rising in the country, it is a requirement for women to have a safe place to stay and travel to work. Under this scheme, the government provides a safe place for working women with the family. It also provides facility for daycare for kids. This can be availed only if the gross income of the woman is less than Rs. 50,000 per month in metropolitan and less than Rs. 35,000 per month in other cities. This is a very successful scheme as statistics prove that nearly 66,000 women have benefitted from this and more than 890 hostels have been sanctioned. A minimal rent is charged from them depending on whether it is a single bedroom, double bedroom or dormitories.

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Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme For The Children Of Working Mothers

Services under Rajiv Gandhi National Creche

It is always difficult for working women to manage family and especially kids who are too young to take care of themselves. This scheme is for helping such women to take care of their children. This scheme provides daycare for the kids of working mothers. This is when the kid is 6 months old to 6 years old. The scheme also helps kids get better nutrition and hence improve the health of underprivileged kids. It has also proved to help kids develop emotionally and socially and also get some education.

Many working women find this very useful and try their best to utilize this as they don’t just take care of kids but also make sure that they are healthy and educated in the meantime.

SWADHAR Scheme

This is to help women who are going through difficult times. This is more of psychological support. For example, there are women who are released from jail, survived through disasters, trafficked and rescued, run away due to issues, widows left out of the family and so on. This scheme is to help those women survive and get back to normal. This scheme also supports women who are affected by HIV and mentally challenged. Women in these situations are given proper psychological treatment and support.

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STEP Scheme

STEP here is short for Support to Training and Employment Program. This is to help women get themselves a decent paying job to support themselves and their family. They provide specific training to get a job or even become an entrepreneur.

Mahila E-Haat

Mahila E-Haat is to support women entrepreneurs. We know that there are a lot of women entrepreneurs in India now. This is an online marketing platform wherein entrepreneurs and Self-help groups can put up their products and let others know about it.

Mahila Shakthi Kendra

This is majorly for women in rural areas. This scheme was launched in the year 2017 to develop the lives of rural women. There are a lot of women, especially in rural areas who do not have the access to proper education and skill development. Under this scheme, women get access to digital education, nutrition, health and even skill development. They also get a chance for employment.

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There are a lot of other schemes too. Government has been doing a lot towards developing women and ensuring the safety for women. There is not much awareness of most of the schemes yet. Promoting awareness of these can help women a lot in developing themselves and their family. Employment opportunities for women and mental support have now become essential for most of the women in the country and the Government of India is doing a good job with it. Better awareness and proper usage of these schemes can be a huge advantage.

March 7, 2021
What is Pink Tax? – The Unbelievable Economy We Live In [Case Study]
In a world where we want to believe we are marching towards gender equality, we many times have come across several disparities and unfair impediments that one gender encounters. Uh, no, that gender is certainly not the men. It has been implied that women, being inflicted with slangs of a weaker gender, and to go as far and call it the reproductive machine.

Not long ago when I was a teenager, I came across the gender bias in my own household. Yes, gender disparity starts at home. Many of these disparities have been engraved upon us as little kids. But the sad reality is that as grown ups, independent adults, women still take this burden and are barely aware of it. Women have come a long way from fighting for an education to getting a degree and having a paid job.

Women are executives, managing directors and CEOs. But little do we know that women, who are now making their own money are being extorted under the name of Pink Tax, just because, we’re women? Well it’s not exactly a tax per se. It’s just another disparity women deal with.

The Pink Tax
The Period Tax
Why do Women Pay the Pink Tax
How can we Stop Falling for the Pink tax
FAQ

The Pink Tax

There are navy, blue and black colored packaging for products traditionally marketed for men. Meanwhile it is hard to miss the pink, lilac, purple packaging for roughly the same products traditionally intended for women. Razors, face wash, Shampoos, deodorants etc. are essentials used by both the genders. So what are freighting about? One subtlety that we seem to ignore is the price tag.

The products commonly used by men and women are differentiated based on an age-old PINK and Blue basis but its interesting (and disappointing) to see that these products, although being identical, are not priced equally. Women products are charged higher than men products. This disparity, or the upcharge that women pay on essential products, is called the PINK TAX.

In a study called Cradle to Crane, published by the Department of Consumer Affairs, New York, after studying 800 products across genders and their variations, it was found that women paid 7% additional costs on essentials compared to costs paid by men on similar products. This price difference grows higher to 13% when it comes to items of personal care.

When observed, this price gap is evident in all the shopping categories such as 8% more on women’s clothing, 7% more for toys and accessories, 4% more for children’s clothing and other things that are intentionally marketed for women. Retailers have gone as far as pricing medicines differently just by changing the color of the packaging to pink and adding words like soft and gentle.

Not just products, but salon services too, offer different prices for the same services. When enquired about the same, most salon owners have given ridiculous explanations such as women have longer hair, difference in salon training or simply “this is how it is”.

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The Period Tax

We have to talk about the tax levied on sanitary napkins and menstruation products when we talk about the pink tax. Menstruation is a natural phenomenon and products related to it have been categorized as luxury items. In the wake of GST introduction in India, the tax on sanitary pads was 12%, that’s more than any other essential item.

In a report published by the NGO Dasra called ‘Spot on!’, it was found that nearly 23 million girls drop out of schools every year because of lack of access to hygienic menstruation facilities, including sanitary napkins.

Only 12% women have access to Sanitary napkins in India

Even after an uproar by activists to cut down taxes on essentials such as sanitary napkins, things have remained the same. In an interview with the Indian express, Mrs. Funnybones aka Twinkle Khanna stressed on the importance of sanitary pads being tax free. “For some strange reason India has 12 per cent GST on sanitary pads. Which is shocking.

Apparently, there are no taxes on brooms. I think they feel that women should keep their houses clean but it’s not as important to keep themselves clean.”, the writer said. She also pointed out that the lawmakers are 65 year old men who haven’t experienced menstruation and have absolutely no clue why sanitary pads should be tax free.

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Why do Women Pay the Pink Tax

Marketing geniuses believe that men are more rational buyers and women are more gullible and emotional when it comes to shopping. According to them, women don’t mind paying a little extra money for roughly the same products.

Retailers have found a way to make things look exclusive for women by, well making them Pink. There is actually no difference, more or less, in the products marketed for both the genders.

Pink tax

The vast disparity could also be seen when it comes to weddings. The amount of money that goes into the making of a bride, (wedding apparel, jewelry) is far more than what goes into making a groom.

The retail market is hyper-segmented and wants to make profits at all costs. It is not entirely their fault since women are ready to pay these extra costs. Most of the active female shoppers are not even aware that they are paying more than their counterparts.

How can we Stop Falling for the Pink tax

One might say so what if women pay a little more for the fancy products they use? To those asking, the difference between a man and woman spending on clothes, cosmetics, footwear etc. amounts to $1300 dollars annually. That is a significant amount for any woman who is working hard to earn money.

If we want to overcome this price gap, here is what we can do
- Refrain from retailers who levy extra costs
- Go for an alternative version if the difference is not huge
- Support companies who are into gender neutral pricing
FAQ

Is the Pink Tax Ethical?

No, Pink tax is not ethical because it is unfair.

What does the Pink Tax include?

Pink tax includes the extra amount of money women pay for specific products or services.

How long has Pink Tax been around?

Pink tax has been around for decades.

Conclusion

The pink tax levied on women makes it worse for them as they are already being paid less than men. Women are still battling the gender pay gap on all fronts. It is a fact that not all women are aware that they are being compelled to pay more. The pink tax hasn’t been a rage amongst working women as they are oblivious to its existence.

This disparity has to be addressed and resolved because women are working as hard as men but spending way more than them. This imbalance will entail women being the weaker gender all along, which is not just unfair, but unacceptable.
March 7, 2021
Stats about Women Workforce in Corporate India
We find all sorts empowering posts flying around social media when women’s day is around the corner. No, this article isn’t going to talk about the same old mediocre state of women in the Indian ecosystem. Well we’ve certainty risen above that. We are rather going to be talking about how the women workforce is at it and shattering the society glass ceiling and climbing the corporate ladder one step at a time.

Although social media tries to push the feminine button a dozen times, what we know is a drop in the ocean. The state of Indian women in corporates is notably growing but the pace is that of the tortoise who wins slowly and steadily.

It is safe to say we have come a long way from assuming that women were only confined to kitchens and producing babies. Especially in India, where so many women have little to almost no agency to take career oriented decisions, corporate offices still experience male dominance.

How many Women work in Corporate India
Women in Indian Parliament
Stats Around the Globe
Reasons for declining numbers of Female workers in India
FAQ

How many Women work in Corporate India

According to the Fortune 500 list published in march 2020, only 29 Indian companies had women at senior management and executive levels. The number has grown by a measly 6% in the past decade. Today, women own around 20% of micro scale business in urban and rural parts of the country.

In July 2020, more than 1.3 billion people will have lived in India. Women constitute 48% of this large figure. Women account for 19% of India’s total labor force. Around 3.8% are CEOs and Managing Directors of listed companies in India. This number has seen a slight uphill from 3.2% in 2014.

Whereas only 8% women are found to be in top management positions, 13.8% women are board of directors in companies listed on the NSE. Chief Human Resource Officers, a global domain where countries like the US and South Africa overrule positions, and India is still trying to reach a mark, women attributes are only 30%.

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According to Fortune magazine, Listed below are the top 10 women in corporate India who are shattering the corporate glass ceiling
- Nita Ambani- Non-Executive Director, Reliance Industries, Co-owner, Mumbai Indians
- Zia Modi- Co-founder, AZB & Partners
- Kiran Mazumdar Shaw- Executive Chairperson, Biocon
- Suneeta Reddy- Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise
- Renu Sud Karnad- Managing Director, HDFC
- Samina Hamied- Executive Chairperson, Cipla
- Vinita Gupta- CEO, Lupin
- Kallie Puri- Vice Chairperson, India Today Group
- Ashu Suyash- Managing Director and CEO, CRISIL
- Roshni Nadar Malhotra- Chairperson, HCL Technologies
Smita V Krishna has been named the richest women in India with a net worth of 434 billion INR and Kiran Mazumdar Shaw was named India’s richest self made women and was ranked third in the overall ranking in 2019.

While we cannot stop raging about how Indian women are reigning top positions, we cannot forget the dip in the total female labor participation. One would rejoice as the country’s GDP has grown over 6% from 2014 resulting in more employment opportunities, but there has been a considerable decline in the rate of female labor participation, from 42% in 2005 to 23% in 2018.

It is as if half the female workforce just dissolved themselves. This could be a huge concern to the Indian Ecosystem, since it has abundant labor power and according to one estimate, India has the potential to grow its GDP by $2.9 trillion USD by 2050.

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Women in Indian Parliament

In 2019, only 78 of 542 seats in the lower house of the Parliament were filled by women. This is a record high figure. However, this percentage amounts to only 14% which is still a long way from equivalence.

Strength of Women in Lok Sabha

Stats Around the Globe

The global participation of women in senior management has grown to 29%, the highest number ever recorded. In 2020, it maintains the status quo. 87% of global mid-market companies have at least one woman in a senior management role in 2020.

The women employees seem to crowd the areas like administration and support functions, while men are deep into Operations, R&D, P&L, qualities that are often reviewed for positions for CEO and Board of directors. Around the globe, 40% of women are Human Resource Directors, 17% are chief marketing officers and 16% are Chief Information Officers.

The Challenges Women Face as Entrepreneurs

For a long time now, Bollywood and the storybooks have been raking mullahsthrough selling the idea of a fairy-tale. Something that’s so deeply rooted andthen marketed in and around women that many have started believing that afairy-tale is the ultimate destination for a woman in our country and e…

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Reasons for declining numbers of Female workers in India

Although Indian women are resiliently grabbing a chance at education, it seems that not many of them are looking forward for paid work. As said earlier, women, especially married and from rural towns, have no agency when it comes to the decision of taking up a paid job.

Many families believe that men are the primary breadwinners. This assumption is keeping women devoid work and are confined to schooling kids at home and taking care of the elderly. The gender roles are so engraved in our society that women are calling it quits and returning home to take care of their families.

Apart from this, gender pay gap, sexual harassment and proximity to work are major reasons why female workers don’t engage themselves in paid jobs.

FAQ

What percentage of the workforce is female in India?

19.9% of the workforce is female in India.

Who is the first woman CEO in India?

Indra Nooyi is the CEO of Pepsi and ranked as the world’s 100 most powerful women.

Who is the Highest paid female CEO?

Lisa Su is the highest paid female CEO according to the Associated Press’ annual report on CEO salaries.

Who is the most powerful woman in India?

The non-executive director of Reliance Industries Nita Ambani is the powerful woman in India.

Conclusion

India is far from parity when it comes to gender based policies. We have to get better at giving women the agency and opportunities, and in such a way that women don’t hesitate to accept jobs and excel in their fields. Women contribute to nearly half the country’s population.

We need to believe in the female workforce to accelerate the growth of Indian economy. We hope that more women empower themselves by not just being a meal maker but by becoming a meal earner.
March 6, 2021