Accelerate Progress!

As authored by Reshmi Jacob , Vice President, Head of HR Karle Infra.

In our journey towards greater gender equality, remarkable progress has been made, yet challenges persist, particularly for women aspiring to climb the corporate ladder. Amidst these challenges lie immense opportunities for positive change and growth.

Paying It Forward: Building a Brighter Future

Indra Nooyi, newly appointed as the CEO of PepsiCo India back in 2001, comes home with a spring in her step happy to share the news with her mother who was visiting at the time. “I have some good news” she tells her mother, only to hear back “It must wait. I need you to go out and get some milk” from her mother. She recalls her mother later saying “Let me explain something to you. You may be President of PepsiCo. But when you step into this house, you’re a wife and mother first.”, highlighting the dual role women play.

Balancing career and family is a shared struggle for women across various roles, whether climbing the corporate ladder or serving as the first lady. Michelle Obama in her book “Becoming”, talks about the dual role she played as the first woman of colour to be the ‘First Lady’ and how she had to leverage that position of privilege and opportunity given to her to advance the conversation about extending opportunities for women. She also emphasizes the importance of family support in navigating these challenges, with a special mention of how her mother took a leading role in helping Michelle raise her daughters while under the constant scrutiny of the public eye. Establishing concrete support systems in the workplace and at home becomes crucial for women to succeed both professionally and personally.

Paying it forward becomes imperative to ensuring that opportunities become an integral part of daily life for all women who follow me. As someone who has seen the impact of women coming together to help each other grow in the corporate world, it's incumbent upon us to pave the way for others. Whether through mentorship, advocacy, or policy changes, we have the power to create a more inclusive and supportive workplace culture and provide opportunities for the next wave of women leaders.?

It requires today’s leaders to be active mentors and sponsors to the ladies moving up the ranks, providing them with equitable skills and opportunities along the way. Providing equal opportunities across the organisation, and casting aside gender stereotypes is the necessary first step in bridging this gap.?

Empowering Women in the Construction Industry

In addition to the overarching challenges in the conventional corporate culture, the construction industry in India has a heightened gender disparity. With only 1-2% of women reaching top-level management positions, the representation of women in technical and managerial roles is a mere 1.4%, with less than 2% ascending to leadership positions. Furthermore, women in mid-level and semi-skilled roles face limited opportunities, often relegated to lower-paying jobs.?

At Karle Infra, we have taken proactive measures to mitigate gender disparities. We foster an environment where our recruitment process prioritizes skills and talent above all else and salary parity between genders is upheld. We recognize the importance of addressing unconscious biases, both among existing staff and hiring managers. Through targeted training initiatives, we strive to heighten awareness of pay equity and instil a culture that values inclusivity and fairness. This approach reflects our commitment to fostering a fair and inclusive workplace culture. Currently, women contribute 22% of our workforce and we are working towards augmenting this representation even more.

Celebrating Sacrifice and Success

The narrative surrounding successful women often highlights sacrifices made along the way. It's equally important to celebrate the hard work, determination, and resilience that lead to their achievements. By reframing the conversation and emphasizing the value of diverse leadership, we inspire future generations of women to pursue their goals with passion and purpose.

Many women in India see a successful career as a way out or an escape hatch from a more patriarchal societal system, rather than the focal point of their goals as generally expected of men. Sheryl Sandberg, acknowledging the complexities of personal motivation, argues that women may hinder their own progress due to self-confidence issues and internal obstacles. While this perspective has stirred controversy, Sandberg encourages a crucial conversation about women's aspirations and the barriers they face in the workplace shaped by various external factors such as education, connections, and societal expectations.

To support our female employees in balancing these multifaceted roles, especially on their return to work as new mothers and professionals, flexible work hours are encouraged that allow them a balanced approach to fulfilling both maternal responsibilities and work commitments. Additionally, we offer on-site childcare facilities designed to provide exceptional care for babies. Our aim is to ensure working mothers feel secure, with a focus on privacy and peace of mind.

Fostering a constructive culture.

Though creating a support system at home might be a personal affair, the responsibility of creating a supportive workplace falls on the shoulders of leaders who come first. Paying it forward requires women in leadership positions to create spaces for others to rise. The onus is on predecessors and current leaders to dismantle barriers and provide opportunities.

The multifaceted challenges faced by women in the workplace demand comprehensive solutions. From addressing the broken rung phenomenon to dismantling gender disparities in specific industries, it is imperative to foster a workplace culture that encourages and supports women in their professional journeys.?

At Karle Infra, we have implemented several policies that promote work-life balance for women, enabling them to fulfil their responsibilities with passion while prioritising personal well-being. With initiatives like ‘Elevate’ and other community-building activities that are designed to promote peer-to-peer mentorship, we are working to establish an environment that supports our women in achieving a fulfilling work-life balance while nurturing their professional ambitions.?

As we navigate the complexities of gender equality and women's leadership in the professional sphere, it is evident that the journey towards progress requires a multifaceted approach. While the challenges and disparities persist, it is crucial to celebrate the milestones achieved and capitalise on the opportunities that lie ahead.?

By fostering supportive environments both at home and in the workplace, and by actively dismantling barriers and biases, we pave the way for a future where women can thrive as leaders without compromise.