The United Nations observes the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11 every year to highlight the importance of equal access to and participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The day serves as a powerful reminder that gender equality in STEM is not just a goal but a critical factor in shaping a more inclusive and innovative world.
While India boasts the highest percentage of female STEM graduates in the world – nearly 40% in 2021-22 – only 14% of STEM jobs in the country are held by women. This highlights a critical issue in the tech industry – the ‘leaky pipeline’. Women often exit the workforce at key life stages, including marriage or childbirth, and, sometimes, when family responsibilities intensify. This has led to the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles, innovation, and research.
A study by BiasWatchIndia highlighted the gender disparities within STEM fields. Engineering, for instance, has the widest gender gap, with women representing only 9.2% of faculty members. Fields like biology see slightly higher female representation, at 25.5%. The overall gender gap, however, remains a significant challenge.
This trend underscores the systemic barriers women face, especially in traditionally male-dominated disciplines such as engineering, physics, and computer science. One question remains: how can women in tech achieve a sustainable work-life balance while overcoming these challenges?
What Women Leaders Think
Women leaders in tech are at the forefront of driving change, pushing for inclusive cultures, and redefining work-life balance. Here are a few stories that provide insights into how women can thrive professionally while maintaining personal well-being.
In a conversation with AIM, Suprabha Mysore, vice president of software development at TransUnion Global Capability Centre (GCC) in India, emphasised the importance of balance for true success. “We can never be great at our work if work is the only thing that we do! True success lies in finding a balance between all the things that matter to us,” she said.
Suprabha’s perspective highlights that success is not just about career achievements but also about nurturing other aspects of life, such as relationships, health, and personal happiness.
Birlasoft’s chief operating officer, Selvakumaran Mannappan, shares a similar view. He said that work-life balance remains a critical challenge for women in tech, often impeding career growth and retention. Mannappan advocates for workplaces that prioritise flexibility, mentorship, and career development.
“True inclusion means women in tech can lead, innovate, and grow without sacrificing work-life balance, aspirations, or opportunities,” he stated.
Birlasoft’s BEmpowered Women Leadership program is one such initiative. It equips women with the skills they need to progress into senior roles and fosters a culture where women can balance their personal and professional aspirations.
Kavitha Krishnan, vice president of AI innovations in procurement at SAP Labs India, also stressed the importance of intentional focus and balance. For her, mornings are sacred, a time for deep focus and high-impact tasks.
“Work-life balance is about making intentional choices,” she explained. For Kavitha, maintaining a focus on health through exercise, mindful eating, and proper rest forms the foundation of her well-being, allowing her to tackle both work and personal life with energy and creativity.
Medhavi Singh, country head at Criteo India, told AIM that the conversation about work-life balance goes beyond flexible hours or remote work arrangements. “True leadership in tech is about prioritising the well-being of those who make business success possible.”
At Criteo, Medhavi emphasised that a supportive culture allows women to excel in their careers while maintaining personal well-being. Whether it’s through adjusting work schedules or providing opportunities for personal growth, creating a flexible work environment is key to empowering women.
Meanwhile, Rekha Sahay Ghosh, head of marketing and communications at Sasken Technologies, said, “It’s about prioritising tasks, being flexible, and setting clear boundaries.”
Efforts Towards Gender Diversity
Efforts to close the gender gap in engineering have been propelled by women like Sudha Murthy, who became the first woman in India to study mechanical engineering, paving the way for future generations.
The Infosys Foundation has taken steps toward increasing gender diversity by partnering with the ICT Academy of Tamil Nadu. The initiative aims to establish Centres of Excellence for Women and Youth Empowerment across 450 colleges in India, offering skills training and job placement assistance to rural learners. The program also includes soft skills development and coding practice sessions to ensure participants are prepared for real-world tech industry challenges.
Similarly, TalentSprint’s Women Engineers (WE) program, supported by Google, is creating an inclusive ecosystem for women in tech. The program has attracted over 1.3 lakh applicants from diverse backgrounds, offering scholarships, mentorship, and career opportunities. With 39% of participants from low-income families and 25% from rural areas, WE aims to empower aspiring women engineers and support their growth in high-growth tech careers across India.
