Only 7% of workplaces have gender-balanced senior leadership
Despite growing conversations around inclusion, 1 in 3 women say there are zero—or just one—female leaders at the top. The gender gap widens most where it should narrow.
Based on responses from 1,802 women professionals across Indian enterprises, this report captures insights from every layer of the workplace—from CXOs to individual contributors. With representation across executive, business, and departmental leadership, it offers a nuanced view of what women experience, expect, and endure in their careers today.
Three angles. One reality.
- The glass half empty
- The glass half full
- What can you do
What women wish you knew
- Bias doesn’t retire
Even senior women with 20+ years of experience report being mistaken for someone junior (3.2/10) and receiving comments on their appearance (3.1/10)—proving that experience doesn’t protect against everyday bias. - Middle management, maximum bias
70% of early women managers say their qualifications are questioned and emotions scrutinized—highlighting how new authority makes them more vulnerable, not less. - Managers are missing in action
8 in 10 women say their managers don’t push for equal pay or fair project allocation—eroding trust where support is needed most. - Progress starts at the bottom
61% of early-career women see gender-equal management—but that number drops to just 12% after 20+ years, revealing how parity fades the higher you go.
Still the only woman in the room
“Women in senior leadership roles [in my company], specifically at director level, are unfortunately not common. I’m the first woman senior in over 20 years at my MNC—one of only three women directors in our networking group of over 150 men.”
– Director,
Client Relations,
ITeS
