The Missing Lady

In the high-rises of Mumbai's financial district, tales of Warren Buffett's genius echo. "Did he truly start with a mere few dollars?" whispers an intern, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "My five-year-old self's piggy bank felt richer!" Closer home, even after his passing away, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala's moves continue to be the subject of eager discussion during chai breaks. But as the tea steams and the stories flow, a glaring omission becomes evident: where's our trailblazing lady of finance?

Now, transport yourself to the frenetic hum of the Bombay Stock Exchange. There, you might spot Mrs. Sharma, a Delhi homemaker, cherishing her latest profitable trade. Her secret weapon isn't a finance degree, but the same intuition that saves her kitchen from over-pressurized cooker disasters. Elsewhere, Dr. Rhea, a Bangalorean dentist, balances between her patients' cavities and her own ventures into promising startups. Yet, their vibrant stories rarely grace prime-time headlines.

So, let's pause and ponder a moment. Why does the spotlight rarely fall on women in the investment realm? It's not for a lack of talent. Globally, figures like Geraldine Weiss and Muriel Siebert have carved their niches. Back home, Ankita Vasishta and Vani Kola have risen as venture capital mavens. Yet, their names don’t readily roll off our tongues without a bit of a Google assist.

Being entrenched in finance and corporate circles for decades, I was startled to find my knowledge needing a search engine boost. This glaring void in the investment space isn’t just an individual oversight; it's emblematic of a broader issue. Let’s look at some facts and figures here.

As per Women & Money Power 2022 survey released by LXME, a financial platform for women, only 9% among the 400 ladies surveyed actually make independent investment decisions through self learning. But what is a bigger disappointment for me is that 20% women are unaware of their investments. So on pen and paper when it shows up that according to the Economic Survey 2023, the proportion of women investing in equities in India had reportedly jumped from 16% to 24% in two years it actually means nothing. It could jolly well be the men in their lives have opened a demat account in their name (ouch). And 29% do not invest at all!

Before you jump to conclusions, let's be clear. It isn’t a matter of capability. If someone even hints that women lack the smarts, intuition, or perception, I'd have a few choice words, none suitable for print. So, what's the real puzzle here? We can think about this in two ways. One that’s got to do with our minds and the other that’s to do with our circumstances.

In order to explain this from a psychological perspective let me call on stage our old acquaintance: self-doubt. If overthinking were an Olympic sport, ladies, we'd be on that podium! Picture this: on the brink of a decision, ever felt a nagging voice whisper, "Is this right?" In the financial realm, this whisper turns into a resounding echo.

Despite juggling demanding partners (putting it mildly), exacting in-laws (more mildly yet), persistent deadlines, family demands, and that addictive Netflix binge, we handle it all. Yet, when the financial baton comes our way, we're often caught off-guard, the sharp multi-tasker in us hesitating on the investment track.

Amid this self-reflection, another classic trait pops up — the infamous “It’s-Probably-My-Fault” syndrome. Ever been on a video call and the Wi-Fi acts up? Even in the middle of a key slide, you wondered if the bill slipped your mind. Spoiler: it was just the neighbor’s teen gaming away! Or during a family gathering the moment someone mentioned the burnt cake, you almost stood up to apologize, only to realize you didn't even bake it!

Our mental wiring, honed over years, often steers us to shoulder blame — even for the most unrelated events. This extends to our investment hesitancy, where we sometimes feel perhaps we lack the necessary acumen. But let's flip the narrative and look at our circumstances. What if the issue isn’t internal? Societal norms and ingrained beliefs can be the hidden culprits, shaping perceptions and creating barriers.

Let me give you some context. Ever noticed how, at family gatherings, financial discussions are often restricted to one gender? While the women might be chatting about the kids or work or OTT, men delve into stocks, property, and market downturns. It's almost as if there's an invisible barrier, a "Men Only" sign hanging over such conversations. Remember that one aunt who whispered, "Finances? Oh, that's a man's game, dear." Honey, if we can decipher the code language of household politics and manage the daily homework ritual and maintain our day jobs either in office or as a home maker, we can certainly handle a stock ticker or two.

Next, come the fact that investments tend to be like roller coasters - they come with their highs and lows. But while a man’s financial dip might be dubbed as a "rough patch," a woman in the same boat is often greeted with an "I told you so." God forbid she makes a wrong move; the entire lineage might remind her of that one misstep at every argument till posterity! It's as if every rupee we invest carries the weight of our entire reputation. Pressure, much?

Then there’s the smoke and mirrors of financial jargon. It's like they've taken simple concepts and dressed them up in tuxedos to gatecrash an elite party. Stocks, bonds, and mutual funds aren’t rocket science. But toss in terms like 'derivative', 'amortization', and 'quantitative easing', and you'd think you're learning an alien language. Perhaps it’s the finance world's way of saying, "You can't sit with us," Well, spoiler: we absolutely can, and in style.

But barriers, whether seen or unseen, are just challenges waiting to be overcome. As we forge ahead in this journey, our quest isn't merely to understand the status quo, but to challenge it. Together, we'll sift through the layers of societal norms, confront the ghosts of self-doubt, and demystify the seemingly complex maze of financial jargon.

Because here's the deal: we aren’t just seeking answers or looking to fit into pre-existing molds. We’re out to shatter glass ceilings, debunk age-old myths, and carve out a niche for ourselves. So, strap in, dear reader, as we set forth on this adventure, building our very own epic of financial savvy and brilliance.

Hope to see you next Friday!