International Women's Day 2024 Live Updates: Women Leaders on "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress."

Smitha Hemmigae, the Head of Employer Brand at ANSR

“Marketing thrives on fresh perspectives. By championing DEI, I've built a team that reflects the diversity of our audience. This allows us to tap into a wider range of experiences and ideas, leading to truly innovative marketing campaigns that resonate deeply with our customers," says Smitha Hemmigae, the Head of Employer Brand at ANSR and a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. Her dedication extends beyond the boardroom, as seen in her pivotal role driving ANSR and Talent500’s recent Women In Technology Survey, shedding light on crucial insights and amplifying the voices of women in the industry.

Dr C Jyothi Budi, Medical Director, Ferty9 Fertility Center

“We honour the strength, resilience, and limitless potential of women globally. Investing in women is not just a choice; it is an imperative for progress and inclusive growth. Women have a profound impact on shaping families and communities. By empowering women with accessible reproductive healthcare, we contribute to their autonomy and well-being. Let us collectively invest in the health, aspirations, and dreams of women, accelerating progress and fostering a world where every woman's journey is supported, acknowledged, and celebrated. Collectively, we pave the way for a future that is inclusive and full of vitality, creating a world where each and every woman is celebrated every day.”

Rocio Herraiz, Global Head of Communications at Noventiq

"Tech companies are making strides in investing in their women workforce by enhancing female leadership, implementing D&I strategies, and offering programs tailored to the needs of women working in technology. But I think that the industry needs to go beyond that. At Noventiq, we see investing in our female workforce as essential to driving innovation and growth. Our approach extends from creating equal opportunities to embracing diverse perspectives and experiences. We aim to attract the best talent by emphasizing the importance of a diverse team that reflects a variety of backgrounds, cultures, nationalities, ages, and genders.

Our approach involves looking at the whole person, not just their CV, focusing on their unique personality and how they fit into our organizational culture. In today's world, it's essential for all organizations, not just those in the tech industry, to support their employees with benefits that facilitate work-life balance, such as maternity leave -and paternity as well-, flexible hours, and remote or hybrid work options. At Noventiq, we offer these advantages, along with great career development and mentorship programs, leadership training, and platforms for sharing ideas that are designed to empower all employees, regardless of gender, fostering a more inclusive and diverse future in technology."

Pooja B Luthra, CHRO, Trident Group

When we talk about improving workplace culture, it's imperative that we recognize the evolving landscape of our industry, the nation and our overall ecosystem. As much as we like to believe that culture is intrinsic to any organisation, it is deeply impacted and constantly evolves with the changing DNA of our society, the needs and aspirations of a younger and agile workforce coupled with the changing landscape that impacts our commitment to our stakeholders.

In order to ensure that culture fuels a passion to accomplish and shapes a thriving member experience, it is imperative to go back to the basics - where every member feels valued and supported. It's about fostering a sense of belonging where diversity is celebrated and work-life balance is honoured. These aren't just passing fads but they're fundamental aspects of any thriving organisation. By tuning into the heartbeat of our surroundings and listening empathetically to our employees, we craft a culture that attracts talent, welcomes inclusion, and prioritizes employee well-being towards collective growth.

Culture should be more than just stated values, beliefs and behaviour. It should translate into the identity of the organization - the unsaid, invisible force that lets both employees and stakeholders know what the organisation stands for.  

Ambreen Virk, CHRO, MyTrident

Enhancing one’s work culture in today’s evolving times necessitates- Emphasizing Empathy, Fostering Diversity, Equity, & Inclusivity, Prioritizing mental health, Embracing Empowerment and Acquiring Agility. There is no doubt that Consistent & Open communication channels cultivate collaboration & strengthen trust. A Positive & Energized work environment harbours Recognizing and Celebrating both achievements & failures so that Creativity and Innovation flourish. Needless to say, supporting work-life balance boosts employee well-being and productivity, and their Growth & Retention can be further enhanced by providing avenues for professional development.

Research indicates that Women merely by their participation improve both Productivity & profitability, and it’s important to acknowledge that merely providing a level playing field may not be enough. Empowering them with a workplace where safety and respect are non-negotiables and they feel both Heard & Valued is a pre-requisite.

Going a step further Offering -a focused support & encouragement in the manner of Mentorship or a Women’s Network is likely to help them in navigating their careers whilst battling unconscious biases and amidst handling their larger array of caregiving responsibilities.

I’d also recommend adopting a Regular feedback mechanism to allow for continuous improvement in Processes and Policies. In summary, a good work culture prioritizes equality, inclusion, and mutual respect, fostering a collaborative environment where everyone thrives.

Kavita Sharma, Co-founder & CEO, Ziyyara Edutech:

On this International Women's Day 2024, let's remember the theme: 'Inspire Inclusion'. That means it's not enough to just say we want everyone to be included; we have to make it happen. Let's use today as a starting point to make sure every woman feels like she belongs and has a say. Whether it's at work, at home, or in our communities, let's challenge stereotypes and support each other. Because when we do, we're not just making the world better for women—we're making it better for everyone.

Geeta Arya, Founder & Principal Architect, Geeta Vaibhav Architects

In celebrating International Women's Day 2024, let's acknowledge the evolution of gender roles. Today, women are shaping new horizons as entrepreneurs and changing the tides. As we embrace the theme 'Inspire Inclusion,' let us recognize that true progress lies in empowering all voices, regardless of gender, race, or background. Inclusion means creating spaces where everyone's talents and perspectives are valued, where there are no gender biases, and where diversity thrives. Let's inspire a culture where inclusivity isn't just a buzzword but a lived reality, where every individual feels seen, heard, and respected. Together, we can build a world where no one is discrimination, and every person has the opportunity to shine.

Tina Mittal, Director, Nova Formworks

This International Women's Day theme is 'Inspire Inclusion', it's crucial to contemplate the essence of inclusion. It extends beyond mere presence; it involves ensuring that women feel a sense of belonging and significance in society. Let today serve as a poignant reminder to ensure that every woman, irrespective of her background or identity, feels appreciated and esteemed. By doing so, we're not merely discussing inclusion; we're actively fostering it. Let's pledge to lend each other our ears, dismantle obstacles, and ensure that every woman has the opportunity to thrive and be recognized.

Aparna Acharekar, Co-founder, coto

An important strategy for ensuring India's long-term economic success is the empowerment of women. The startup ecosystem is witnessing a rise in women's entrepreneurship, opening doors for more women in leadership roles. As compared to male-driven startups, women-led businesses are more profitable, supported by high performance levels, and promote diversity. With the right guidance and encouragement, aspiring female leaders can receive significant help in becoming successful entrepreneurs in the future. At coto, our initiatives, such as digitally delivered services by women, aim to encourage financial inclusion and independence alongside boosting women's entrepreneurship in a digitally safe environment.

Yashmi Pujara, CHRO, Cactus Communications

As we celebrate Women's Day under the theme of ‘Inspire Inclusion’, we imagine a world where all ideas and discoveries are made by the greatest minds and are easily accessible to everyone.

We strive to reflect the same diversity at our workplace. When we work with diverse people from multiple ethnicities and cultures, gender and sexual identities, and disabilities, we thrive, and the richness of this cumulative experience powers our work and accelerates scientific advancement.

At Cactus Communications, we break barriers of language when it comes to research all around the world. Our clients are spread across 190+ countries. To create a truly inclusive workplace, we create a level playing field for everyone at the workplace. We have sensitised around 60% of the organisation about unconscious bias at the workplace. 56% of our workforce is represented by women, and 90% of our women workforce re-join after maternity leave.

Our Women Support Group is a community where women talk freely and support one another. Our commitment to anyone who joins CACTUS is ‘give them a seat at the table, a voice in the room and a chance to play to their best abilities.