What defines a woman leader? Perhaps someone who leads a family, a team, a company, or all of the above. There’s one catch; the label ‘leader’ may not always be there. However, change is on the horizon.
According to foundit, job opportunities for women are set to increase by 48% in 2025 compared to 2024. Industries like IT, banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI), manufacturing, and healthcare are driving this surge, with an increasing demand for specialised talent in emerging technology roles.
Anupama Bhimrajka, VP marketing at foundit, said, “We have observed a 55% increase in work-from-office arrangements, signalling a shift in employer priorities. While challenges like salary parity and work-mode preferences persist, the overall outlook for women’s workforce participation in 2025 remains highly encouraging.”
Women at Different Career Stages
The data further revealed an encouraging trend—nearly 25% of jobs for women in 2025 are aimed at freshers, reflecting a strong demand for early-career professionals, particularly in IT, HR, and marketing. However, as experience levels rise, the percentage of available opportunities declines, highlighting the persistent challenge of career progression for women.
To understand the ground reality, AIM spoke with women leaders in the tech industry.
Shreya Krishnan, managing director at AnitaB.org India, explained, “Organisations that prioritise diversity and innovation recognise the immense value of women in leadership. However, systemic barriers still limit opportunities. Women hold only 20% of leadership roles in tech in India, and their representation in senior leadership globally remains low at 26%. The lack of advancement opportunities means women are 1.4 times more likely than men to leave their jobs.”
Krishnan stressed the need for companies to actively support women leaders by ensuring equal access to opportunities and leveraging technology to create more inclusive workplaces.
Despite these challenges, some companies actively work to bridge the gender gap. Jyoti Chaudhary, salesforce practice head at Altimetrik, noted that
at the organisation, mentorship programs like MentHERup are helping bridge this gap by providing mentorship, leadership development, and access to growth opportunities.
Similarly, Angela Curry, chief compliance officer at Bentley Systems, told AIM that their Leadership Excellence and Development (LEAD) Essentials program helps women leaders build cross-functional expertise. At the same time, the company’s Bentley Network of Women (NOW) provides mentorship and career development opportunities.
“We believe diverse leadership makes organisations stronger, and we are dedicated to ensuring women have a seat at the table,” Chaudhary added.
Meanwhile, Renu Shekhawat, director and head of HR, APAC at Pitney Bowes, echoed similar sentiments and pointed out that women are now not just participants in the tech industry but key drivers of its evolution. However, without targeted mentorship and access to advanced technical education, career stagnation remains a risk.
Pitney Bowes has curated initiatives to provide mentorship and leadership training, ensuring women possess the skills needed to excel in senior roles.
Moreover, Kamini Shah, group chief financial officer at Birlasoft, mentioned, “Promoting gender diversity in leadership is not just about numbers; it’s about creating an ecosystem where women can thrive.”
According to the ‘KPMG women leadership in corporate India 2024 report’, 67% of organisations have seen a rise in women leaders over the past five years. However, unconscious biases and structural barriers continue to hinder true gender parity.
“Upskilling programs, mentorship, and flexible work policies are critical to sustaining progress,” Shah emphasised.
Beyond Leadership is Entrepreneurship
Corporate leadership isn’t the only path women excel in; entrepreneurship is also rising. Mastercard’s latest research revealed that 45% of Indian women have considered starting their own business. The numbers ar
He even higher among millennials (46%) and Gen Z (45%).
One of the strongest driving forces behind women entrepreneurs is the pursuit of their dreams, with 51% of women citing this as their primary motivation. Achieving a better work-life balance follows closely, motivating 44% of women to start their own ventures. Notably, 40% of women entrepreneurs seek the freedom that comes from breaking away from traditional work structures.
When it comes to industries, women are leading the way in education (28%), food and beverage (21%), and online sales (16%), shaping the entrepreneurial landscape and reinforcing the belief that the future is, indeed, female.
It is safe to say that women aren’t just entering leadership roles but are redefining them to ensure the ‘leader’ label won’t go unnoticed.
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