The survey considers perspectives from professionals across industries on five key aspects: the current representation of women in leadership roles, the aspirations and challenges women face in their leadership journeys, the effectiveness of leadership development programs for women, the availability of opportunities and fairness of evaluation systems for women leaders, and the strength of diversity and inclusion efforts within organizations. This comprehensive analysis aims to provide recommendations for creating a more equitable and inclusive environment where women can thrive in leadership positions.

The Indian corporate landscape is transforming. The report findings reveal that while challenges remain, the progress achieved in terms of number of organizations having strong women leadership representation is encouraging. Robust mentorship and sponsorship programmes, flexible work policies and embracing ‘returnship’ programmes will help women re-integrate into the workforce and invigorate their leadership journey. These strategies will not only unlock the full potential of our workforce but also establish our organisations as true leaders in fostering inclusive leadership and driving sustainable success, said Yezdi Nagporewalla, CEO, KPMG in India.

The report emphasizes the need for a top-down approach to fostering women leadership. Senior leaders play a crucial role in identifying high-potential women, designing clear career paths, and providing necessary support for their development. The report offers a roadmap for organizations to achieve greater gender diversity in leadership:

Focus on Retention and Growth: Organizations must prioritize retaining women, providing growth opportunities, and creating supportive environments for them to achieve their career aspirations.

Combat Gender Bias: Training and workshops can raise awareness about gender bias and create a level playing field. Encouraging men to support women in managing family responsibilities is also crucial.

Implement DEI Initiatives: Introducing DEI policies, mentoring programs, and skill-building workshops fosters an inclusive culture that empowers women leaders.

Targeted Leadership Development: Organizations should design programs addressing specific needs of women, such as work-life balance, confidence building, and overcoming gender stereotypes.

Fair and Transparent Evaluation: Regular reviews and audits of leadership evaluation mechanisms ensure fairness and address potential biases.

Women Affinity Groups: Promoting affinity groups fosters networking and knowledge sharing among women leaders.

Role Models: Highlighting the achievements of successful women leaders showcases them as role models and inspires others.

This comprehensive report by AIMA and KPMG in India serves as a valuable resource for organizations seeking to build a more inclusive and gender-balanced leadership pipeline.