Women’s Workforce Representation Surges to Nearly 50 % , Marking a Remarkable 17% Increase from 2021- HerKey’s DivHERsity Benchmarking Report 2022-23
Gradual Decline in Work-from-Home Adoption Post-Pandemic, Yet Rates Remain Higher Than Pre-Pandemic Levels
The DivHERsity Benchmarking Report 2022-2023, powered by HerKey (formerly JobsForHer), is an industry-standard report on women’s representation and diversity in Corporate India. In its fifth edition, the report provides a comprehensive compilation of data collected from over 300 companies across India between January 2022 and January 2023.
The latest DivHERsity Benchmarking Report 2022-23 highlights a significant milestone in workforce demographics: women now make up nearly 50% of employees in surveyed companies, representing a remarkable surge of 17% when compared to 2021. A noteworthy observation from 2022 is that the representation of women in senior and leadership positions among participating companies stands at an equal proportion of 37% compared to women at the entry level.
According to the report, 70% of companies now have well-defined goals for achieving gender diversity in their hiring, indicating 13% growth compared to the previous year. In relation to supporting women who are returning to work, 57% of large enterprises and 43% of startups/SMEs have established programs to assist them, while 51% have partnered with job platforms to enhance recruitment effectiveness.
Despite the importance of implementing work-from-home policies for employee well-being, the DivHERsity Survey conducted in 2022 indicated a gradual decrease in the adoption of this policy during the post-pandemic period. Nevertheless, the current implementation rate still surpasses that of the pre-pandemic era. In 2019, the percentage of companies implementing WFH was 59%, which increased to 85% in 2020, 83% in 2021, and then decreased to 63% in 2022.
Women’s networks play a crucial role in supporting and fostering a sense of community among women. According to 80% of companies surveyed, harnessing the power of women’s networks is instrumental in improving policies and practices through valuable feedback.
Speaking on the findings, Neha Bagaria, Founder & CEO, HerKey, said, “In today’s rapidly evolving world, diversity and inclusion have emerged as critical pillars for organizational success. By embracing the unique talents, perspectives, and experiences of individuals from diverse backgrounds, companies can unlock innovation, enhance decision-making, and cultivate a harmonious work environment. This report stands as a testament to the indispensable role that diversity plays in our society and emphasizes the urgent need to advocate for it. Initiatives such as returnee programs, diversity hiring, unconscious bias training, diversity awareness workshops, women’s networks, mentorship, and flexible work arrangements signify remarkable progress. The unwavering commitment and dedication demonstrated by organizations in 2022 indicate a positive shift towards a more diverse and inclusive corporate landscape in India. Let us forge ahead, fostering an inclusive workplace where every voice is not only heard but also valued.”
Diversity and inclusion play a pivotal role in the workplace, with organisations actively promoting diverse hiring practices, implementing inclusive policies, and creating safe and respectful work environments. It is indeed intriguing to observe that women’s participation in various spheres has shown an increase in India compared to the pandemic era.
The report also includes stats and interesting findings on the following topics: Trends in women’s involvement in the workforce, diversity policies, the effectiveness of programs aimed at helping women return to work, programs focused on the learning and development of women, programs for developing women’s leadership skills, initiatives related to diversity and inclusion, and programs aimed at promoting gender sensitization. Download the full DivHERsity Benchmarking Report 2022-2023 here:
https://www.jobsforher.com/employer/resources#reports_section
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About HerKey: HerKey (formerly JobsForHer) is India’s career engagement platform that unlocks opportunities, learning, and communities for women in India by connecting them with career champions. HerKey has been at the forefront of developing scalable solutions to increase women participation in the Indian workforce. Incepted in 2015, HerKey (formerly JobsForHer) works with over 10,000 companies across India that prioritise diversity and inclusion and has assisted them in engaging with and recruiting women. HerKey seeks to be the dependable companion for every woman on her career journey, enabling her growth, opening up opportunities, creating meaningful engagement, and facilitating her career journey—onwards & upwards.
