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The Battle for Female Talent in India

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An Indian woman walks past a billboard of a mobile phone manufacturer in Bangalore, India. The state hosts an annual event to promote its IT sector and to attract global investment. (Dibyangshu Sarkar /AFP/Getty Images)
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An Indian woman walks past a billboard of a mobile phone manufacturer in Bangalore, India. The state hosts an annual event to promote its IT sector and to attract global investment. (Dibyangshu Sarkar /AFP/Getty Images)

MUMBAI, December 6, 2010 - Eighty percent of women in India display ambition and are "willing to go the extra mile" compared to 52 percent in the United States. Yet, Indian women face unique roadblocks in the workplace that inhibit their professional growth, business profitability and the country's development. 

These were some of the key findings of "The Battle for Female Talent," a new study from the Center for Work Life Policy. In Mumbai, experts discussed these issues and ways to help women compete at their full potential.

The presenters included Sylvia Anne - Hewlett, Founding President of Center for Work-Life Policy, Vishakha Desai, President of Asia Society, Nandita Gurjar, HR Head of Infosys Technologies, and NV Tyagarajan, COO of Genpact.

The speakers utilized theories, statistics and case studies to discuss issues including perceived discrimination, pay-scale differentials, loyalty, shifting gender roles and safety concerns. They emphasized that improving these issues and cultivating positive work environments for women could unleash a valuable resource pool to fill existing skill shortages that threaten many countries.

Finally, they shared ideas on how to contend with societal challenges faced by women, adopt strategies to meet their needs, manage interactions between male and female colleagues and surmount prejudices and stereotypes.


Related Links:
Asia Society’s “Women Leaders of New Asia” Initiative

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