In India, the tech space is becoming more open and encouraging of female leaders. Women are taking on leadership roles and making their voices heard. They are pushing for greater diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and advocating for policies that support the growth and development of women in tech.
But there is still much work to be done. Women in tech continue to face challenges such as unequal pay, lack of mentorship and sponsorship opportunities, and unconscious bias. To ensure that women have the room to create unique changes and work towards growth, it is essential that these issues are addressed.
It’s crucial to have individuals with the right skills and cognitive abilities, but prioritizing diversity and inclusion in the hiring process is equally essential. To stay competitive, companies must evolve, and to grow, they need diverse perspectives and out-of-the-box solutions. At Visionet, we welcome skilled candidates from various demographics, industries, regions, and backgrounds, regardless of gender or previous tech experience. In global markets, companies value analytical skills, emotional intelligence, leadership potential, and forward-thinking. Businesses with a diverse customer base benefit most from dynamic employees who have an open-minded and inclusive attitude and can bring innovative and groundbreaking ideas to the table.
2. How can the tech industry establish a more inclusive and gender-neutral workplace culture?
It is critically important to bridge the gender gap in STEM education as well as in workplaces and to dismantle the notion that tech fields are not for women. The number of women in India’s IT workforce is thankfully increasing and so it is more important than ever to foster a more inclusive and gender-neutral work culture.
We must also ensure that women in tech have equal access to skilling opportunities and mentorship so that they can overcome challenges at work. To give you an example, in 2020, Visionet launched ‘Unnati for India,’ a free skilling initiative that equips young women and men from tier 2 and tier 3 cities with technology skills. Many women who finished their training now work for Visionet.
Women also have to juggle multiple roles and sometimes drop out of the job market due to domestic pressures and caregiving duties. As a company, we have worked hard to address this issue by offering women equal pay, creating supportive HR policies, and providing mentoring. The industry as a whole, needs more women in pivotal roles because they will serve as role models for the next generation of leaders. Finally, no company can grow without encouraging diversity of thought, and ideas. It is only when companies foster an inclusive and supportive workplace culture, can they attract and retain top talent.
3. What has been your experience in the tech industry, and why did you choose to pursue a career in tech?
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from R.A. Podar College, Mumbai, and an MBA degree from Symbiosis International University, Pune. While the tech industry is still male-dominated, I joined it because I wanted to make a difference, not just within an organization but also beyond. A sense of purpose and commitment are critical to me, and I view work as not only showing up every day but also delivering tangible results and outcomes. As a leader, I aspire to encourage the next generation of leaders, particularly women, and be a mentor to them. To accomplish this and provide consistent value, I put in a lot of effort, and I am proud to work at Visionet, where women with diverse skill sets, and ambitions are appreciated and valued. My growth within the organization is evidence that women can aspire to leadership and inspire others to pursue what may appear to be an unattainable objective.
4. What challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?
In the BFSI industry, the past 18 months have been challenging for the mortgage sector. Still, we have expanded our vision to not just crisis-proof systems, operations, and processes but also to address the issues faced by lenders and other market participants in the mortgage industry. Looking back, our team did an excellent job and successfully expanded our offerings to cater to capital markets as well as commercial lending. We provide solutions to various industries, and our team comprises of intuitive self-starters who have a thirst for knowledge and the ability to develop adaptive solutions from the ground up. Personally, I view every challenge as an opportunity to learn and gain valuable experience.
5. Any advice for women who are interested in pursuing a career in tech?
My advice for women interested in pursuing a career in tech is to be authentic and have confidence in their abilities while being prepared to work in diverse work cultures with people from different backgrounds. Continuously learning and staying up to date with new technologies is essential in a constantly evolving industry. Embrace new ideas and approaches, and don’t be afraid to take on challenges or seek opportunities for growth. Seek out mentors who can offer guidance and support, and take steps to build strong networks of like-minded individuals. Remember that the tech industry needs diverse perspectives and voices to drive innovation and solve complex problems.
