How Can We Liberate Women From Societal Expectations In Corporates

It's crucial to reflect on the challenges women face in the workplace and society at large. Despite significant strides towards gender equality, women continue to grapple with societal expectations that hinder their career advancement and personal fulfilment. It is crucial to address these issues head-on and pave the way for a more equitable and inclusive future.

Systems Continue To Fail Women At Work - What Can Be Done?

One of the primary challenges women encounter is the pressure to excel both professionally and personally. Society often imposes unrealistic expectations on women to balance careers with caregiving responsibilities. This dual burden can lead to feelings of guilt, and self-doubt, and ultimately, hinder career progression. It's time for society to liberate women from this emotional baggage by redefining traditional gender roles and offering support systems that accommodate their diverse needs.

While initiatives like remote work have provided flexibility for some, they can also inadvertently limit career growth opportunities for women. Instead of perpetuating the notion that women should prioritize family over career, we must advocate for policies and practices that enable them to thrive in both domains. This means investing in childcare support, parental leave policies, and creating inclusive work environments.

Having said that, developing enabling policies and infrastructure is just one part of the story of boosting women's participation in the workforce. To make their participation broad-based, HR leaders must stop evaluating the suitability or eligibility of women professionals for certain roles through the prism of the pre-conceived notions of their responsibilities as primary caregivers in their respective families or workplace compatibility. That way, competent and eligible women professionals may be denied the career growth they deserve and women's power will remain underleveraged. 

Moreover, achieving true gender equity requires addressing the universal issue of pay disparity. The recent UN Women's report underscores the stark reality that women still earn significantly less than their male counterparts. women earn only 77 cents for every dollar earned by men. This disparity not only affects women's current financial security but also has long-term consequences, with more women retiring into economic insecurity compared to their male counterparts. The cycle of inequality affects women throughout their careers and into retirement. To combat this, industry leaders must advocate for equal rights and pay parity, ensuring that women are compensated fairly for their contributions.

In India, societal norms and cultural expectations further exacerbate these challenges. Women are often discouraged from pursuing ambitious career goals and face discrimination in the workplace. According to the April 2023 Female Labour Utilization in India report prepared by the Ministry of Labour and Employment and Directorate General of Employment, around 44.5% of women were not in the labour force due to “Child care/personal commitments in homemaking”.

As we strive to become a developed economy, it's essential to recognize that gender equity is not just a moral imperative but also a strategic imperative for economic growth and prosperity. By dismantling barriers to women's advancement and creating opportunities for them to realize their full potential, companies can drive innovation, productivity, and competitiveness.

Let us commit to challenging the ingrained perceptions and biases that hold women back. Corporations now have a unique opportunity to lead by example and advocate for change within the organizations. This means promoting diversity and inclusion initiatives, implementing gender-sensitive policies, and fostering a culture of equality.

Achieving gender equity in the workplace needs a determined and collaborative effort from all stakeholders. It's time to remove obsolete norms and perceptions and create a more inclusive and supportive environment for women to thrive. By championing their rights and empowering them to pursue their passions and aspirations, corporate leaders can build a brighter future for generations to come. The family and the community must provide all the support so that women can continue to work without any feeling of guilt. Let us seize this moment to drive meaningful progress and create a world where every woman has the opportunity to succeed.

Authored by Indrani Chatterjee, Group Chief Human Resources Officer (Group CHRO) at Allcargo Group