Challenging Stereotypes To Create Gender-Inclusive Workplaces

After receiving the UN Women 2021 Asia-Pacific WEPs Awards, Lynette Ortiz, the President and CEO of the Land Bank of the Philippines, made a statement regarding how women are frequently pushed into stereotypical and predefined roles. She also pointed out the automatic assignment of specific traits to female leaders and stressed the importance of breaking free from these prejudices. Comments like hers, voiced by women in influential leadership positions, underscore the persistence of gender inequality in our workplaces.

According to the Global Gender Gap Report 2023 by the World Economic Forum, while no country has yet achieved full gender parity, the top nine countries—Iceland, Norway, Finland, New Zealand, Sweden, Germany, Nicaragua, Namibia, and Lithuania—have closed at least 80 percent of their gender gap. For the 14th consecutive year, Iceland (91.2 percent) retained the top position. India is ranked 127th in the Global Gender Gap Index, marking an improvement of about eight positions from the previous year.

The improvement in ranking is a somewhat positive sign. However, I believe that in our country, despite the encouraging increase in female enrolment in educational institutions, there persists a significant underrepresentation of women in critical STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) powered sectors.

According to the study by AIM Research titled "Women in Tech 2023 (India)," women employees account for 29 percent of India's total tech workforce. However, they occupy only eight percent of tech leadership roles across sectors. 35 percent of women professionals who participated in the survey feel that biases affect the hiring of women in the industry, while 52 percent claim there is a gender pay gap. Reports like this should serve as indicators of the need for a comprehensive examination of gender parity issues at the grassroots level because I believe corrective measures should originate from there.

How discrimination leads to lesser representation

Most issues related to gender discrimination arise from personal prejudices and societal and cultural stereotypes. Various research studies indicate that individual biases as well as school and family environments cumulatively contribute to shaping a girl's self-perception in STEM fields. Even when they excel with high grades, overt or subtle discrimination persistently undermines their self-image. Parental support, positive socialization experiences, and exposure to enthusiastic STEM role models, teachers, and mentors can instil in them the belief that subjects like Mathematics and Engineering are not exclusive to boys.

However, even if they enter the STEM field, they may encounter gender-related unconscious biases in workplaces. Parenthood and family commitments also may hinder the growth of their careers as women traditionally have to juggle professional, personal, and parenting responsibilities. Therefore, it's crucial for companies to implement policies that provide flexibility and support to women to ensure that their career trajectory is not compromised.

Last but certainly not least is the significance of protective measures provided by proper regulatory frameworks, which serve as a driving force in enhancing gender diversity within companies. In India, we have constitutionally guaranteed rights, including the Equal Remuneration Act, the right to a harassment-free work environment and mandatory board representation, which stipulates at least one woman director's presence on the board for certain companies (Every listed company and every public company having paid-up share capital of not less than Rs 100 Cr or turnover of Rs 300 Cr or more). Despite having these laws in place, the crucial question is how many of us, including women, are aware of them. Women must be properly educated about their right to work in an inclusive, safe, and equitable environment.

Employers should promote gender equity in the workplace and ensure that women receive their rightful entitlement as mandated by labour and employment laws. With the collaborative effort of various stakeholders such as relevant government bodies, corporations, and organizations dedicated to women's empowerment, we can expect to see the next generation of women in STEM emerging as path-breaking leaders.

Authored by Gitanjali Singh, Global Head of Strategy and New Business Growth at Visionet BPS, champions a gender-neutral approach in STEM fields

Views expressed by the author are their own.

Suggested reading: STEM Education Development Over Decades: Where Do Women Stand In It