By Moumita Barman and Vajra Zayara The recent National Conference on Gender and Inclusion on 14 March 2024 marked a significant milestone as it convened
Only 4% of exec directors at Nifty 50 are women, and across NSE-listed cos that figure drops to 3%; enabling policies needed to empower them. There is a persistent and high level of unconscious bias as well. Allyship is key. “Boys clubs still operate that many times do not give women the right kind of projects (that can advance them in their career) thus demotivating many women who see their juniors becoming senior and moving ahead,” said Girotra.
At a time when major Indian companies are driving gender diversity as being good for business, the numbers show a yawning gap across corporate India, with the presence of women leaders at an abysmally low level in the C-suite.
In FY22, India Inc s million-dollar club had expanded by 37% compared to a decrease of 17% in the pandemic-hit FY21. The total compensation of C-suite executives went up 7.56% to ₹4,256 crore, from ₹3,957 crore in FY22. Here, too, professional CXOs amassed the bulk of this increase with the collective compensation for professional CXOs going up by 21.08% while that of promoters registering a decrease of 9%.