Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Women presence in India Inc top-brass rises to 14%

 New Delhi, Mar 6 - Women account for just about 14 per cent of the top brass at companies in India, as against 21 per cent across the world, a global survey report said today.

 On a positive note, women presence at senior management positions in India has increased considerably from 9 per cent in the previous year, as per the findings of Grant Thornton's International Business Report.
 Globally, 21 per cent of senior management positions are held by women, up from 20 per cent in the previous year.

 The report has come out a couple of days ahead of the International Women's Day, which is celebrated every year on March 8.

 ÒA consistent rise though, measured in the number of women in the boardrooms of Indian companies, is a positive sign, which indicates that India Inc is becoming increasingly receptive to women with academic and professional competence,Ó Grant Thornton Director (Marketing Communications) Nidhi Maheshwari said.
 ÒIt shows sheer determination among Indian women to make a mark for themselves despite personal commitments.

 ÒAlthough looking at the global average, we still have a long way to go,Ó she added.
 The report also said that 66 per cent of Indian businesses offer flexible working conditions to female employees. This number is even higher than the global average of 52 per cent.

 The report suggested that offering flexible working could help reverse this trend in emerging markets.
 ÒGreater adoption of flexible working front, might allow
a greater proportion of women to make it to the senior positions in the future and put India on a higher ranking in the global league table,Ó Maheshwari added.

 In terms of functional areas, human resources emerged as the favourite among Indian women, with 23 per cent holding senior positions in this space, followed by 16 per cent in financial positions and 10 per cent in sales.

 The Grant Thornton International Business Report is an annual survey of the views of 6,000 senior executives in privately held businesses all over the world.

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