Happy International Women's Day 2021: March 8 signifies International Women's Day, celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women all around the globe. In this day and age, women have made inroads in all the functioning of society yet there are issues that challenge the gender binary or the whole equation.
On this Women's Day, let us look at some of the questions that pertain to women as they try to be in the top management of the business, gender gap and their contribution during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Women In Top Management
Business transformation can start with the start of changes in corporate boardrooms, where gender equality is required and more women leaders are to be there in order to create a diverse set of thinking.
"There is roughly one woman among every five board members. An increase would lead to more inventive thoughts on the table, with more innovations, more creative ideas that women can bring with great value addition for businesses," Dr Rashmi Saluja Executive Chairperson of Religare Enterprises Limited, answered
"Fortunately we have been witnessing more women leaders emerging and holding key leadership positions in both public and private sectors, which is further increasing confidence and solidarity among women employees, greater engagement from male allies as well," she added.
Bust Gender Gap
The gender gap has remained an issue with even most modern organisations and especially in developing nations. As organisations try to breach the gap, the more they do tend to do it the better is the talent pool.
"Today those organizations showing more commitment to gender diversity tend to attract and retain better talent and also are becoming more preferable places to work," Dr Rashmi Saluja who is an MBBS, MD & MBA (Finance) by qualification said.
She also argued that the balance in the pay gap will only end when business organisations will honour women's overall contribution rather than just checking their last salary slip.
"Organizations have to ensure that salary offers should be based on the job, not what they made in their last position; since women are typically paid less than men, this should help to balance previous pay inequalities," Dr Saluja who has been leading the organisation from the front.
Women During Covid-19 Pandemic
The covid-19 pandemic has been the most challenging time that the world or businesses across the world have faced in the last few decades. It has been a testing period for frontline workers in health, emergency services and other sectors, which needs to function, even in times of pandemic. In the past one-year countries led by women have fared better during the pandemic as compared to others.
"Women leaders have also been more empathetic and connected better with the employees, while providing more flexible ways to the workforce, to perform their duties. When women are involved, the prospects for lasting peace are better, especially in times of pandemic," Dr Saluja said.