Breaking Biases in 2022 and Beyond

“Life was teaching me that progress and change happen slowly. Not in two years, four years,

or even a lifetime. We were planting seeds of change, the fruit of which we might never see.

We had to be patient.”

– Michelle Obama in her book, ‘Becoming’.

Dear colleagues,

Every year on this date, we celebrate International Women’s Day in commemoration of the numerous sacrifices, struggles, and successes of women throughout history. As I muse over this year’s theme, #BreakTheBias, I realize that we have a long way to go in overcoming our conscious and unconscious biases. Fortunately for us, there are enough women and people of all genders who are consciously defying stereotypes and breaking barriers, not just at the workplace, but in every walk of life— and that number only grows larger every day.

Last year, we saw the world making many strides in this direction.?Eight countries swore in their first-ever woman Head of State or Government. Women and girls have been on the frontlines of our battle against COVID-19, not only as healthcare and essential workers but also by pioneering life-saving research and innovation. We even witnessed the most gender-balanced Olympic Games in history, with Tokyo 2020 featuring a whopping 49 percent of women athletes.

In India, last week, Madhabi Puri Buch took over as the Chairperson of SEBI, making her the first woman to lead a financial regulatory body in India. Avani Lekhara became the first woman to win a gold medal in the Paralympics and Neena Gupta bagged the prestigious 2021 Ramanujan Prize – a massive win for #WomenInSTEM. Anuranjita Kumar is also a huge inspiration to me, having spearheaded the WiT (Women in Technology) Forum to increase the number of women in STEM and empower them to realize their true potential. This is just the tip of the iceberg as women continue to innovate, trailblaze, and excel.

And even closer home, at Tech Mahindra Padma Parthasarathy and Simmi Dhamija, were recognized by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India and the British High Commission. They are among the top 75 women in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Applied Arts and Mathematics) featured in the book, ‘She Is: 75 Women in STEAM’ as “women role models for the youth of India”.

And yet, the question we need to ask ourselves is: Is it enough?

We’re in 2022 now, and countless women still don’t have the right to education, are forced to bear the brunt of housework, and are expected to be the sole caregiver for their children. Times are changing, but not nearly as fast as they should be. And we can help bridge that gap by being supportive allies and creating a sense of, not just inclusion, but belonging at work.

Men play a big role in breaking stereotypes. Gender roles are beginning to blur with more women venturing into unconventional professions. The traditional roles of men being providers and women being nurturers has been steadily changing. To the men out there, let’s help in creating a level playing field; it’s the least we can do. And to the women: I strongly urge that you drag a chair, even when you’re not invited to the table. Do not wait for your CV to be perfect to respond to a role. Don’t suffer in silence and please ask for what you rightly deserve.

On that note, I want to introduce our latest initiative at TechM. We’re opening our doors (and hearts) to women on breaks, encouraging their return to the workforce. We will be providing them with all the resources and support they need for this important transition. The world could use their brilliance and tenacity, and we want to be the bridge that brings them back to work. If you know someone who wants to restart their career, get in touch with the team here.

To me, Women’s Day is meant to be celebrated every single day. Creating an equal world will take time, but what we can collectively do today, is sow the seeds of change that will bear fruit in the future.?The spirit of IWD isn’t freebies or events. It’s about treating women as equals, ensuring a safe and secure environment, and empowering them to Rise. I look forward to more women being changemakers, trailblazers, and most importantly, themselves.

To all my women friends, family, and colleagues. Thank you for your strength, wisdom, and grace. We learn from you every day. And may you never have to dim your light for the sake of others.

Happy Women’s Day!

Regards,

CP

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