Indian women are leading in the technology workforce. Though there are 20.5 lakh women as compared to 36.1 lakh males in the technology job market, there has also been a projected 24.3% growth in women’s participation in the tech workforce across all levels by 2027.
Empowering Women in India’s Digital Transformation
There are plenty of reasons which can be attributed for this gap for women and these reasons include low educational enrolment, limited quality opportunities, gender pay gaps, safety concerns, societal norms, workplace discrimination, inadequate upskilling/reskilling, and re-entry policies.
To re-enter or continuously move up the ladder, it is important that women overcome these barriers.
Titled “Women at the Heart of India’s Digital Evolution”, this study aims to examine various facets, including the total women’s tech workforce, their employment in Global Capability Centres (GCCs), and city-wise trends in workforce expansion.
Challenges, Progress, and Future Strategies
The report also included topics like in-demand tech roles for women and the challenges they face in the sector.
Though the efforts are already in progress to foster the female participation, some of them include return-to-work programs, closing the pay gap, role model initiatives, and equal opportunity pathways.
Notably, there has been a rise in women’s hiring when it comes to both tech as well as non-tech positions in sectors like BFSI, Manufacturing, Consumer, and Retail, with Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat being key hiring hubs.
With a massive 43% out of all workforce participation, women still fall short when it comes to sector like manufacturing and leadership roles.
Women form 35% of total workforce and are expected to increase more by 2027.
Major sought after tech roles include Quantum Computing Scientist, Blockchain Developer, and AI Researcher.
The report further advocates STEM education, gender-sensitive hiring, inclusive workplace cultures, mentorship, closing the wage gap, and robust legal frameworks to boost women’s participation in the tech workforce.
With a need to amplify female participation, said the CEO of TeamLease Digital, Neeti Sharma. On the other hand, Munira Loliwala, AVP of Strategy and Growth, stresses the importance of concerted efforts from companies, policymakers, and government initiatives for a more equitable future in India’s digital journey.
