Main Highlights:
- In the 1950s and 1960s, perceptions about the industry gradually evolved, screening out many new female applications.
- Technology diversity is crucial because it allows firms to build innovative products and provide effective outcomes.
- Women have been pioneering new inventions for almost 300 years, including creating the first computer language, laying the groundwork for Wi-Fi, and calculating the initial flight route for NASA’s space mission. These remarkable female leaders deserve to have their story heard and their efforts recognised.
Women have slowly but steadily gained ground in the world of technology during the previous decade. Among the expanding number of women in technology, women leaders in India are an inspiration to many of us. Especially since these Indian women in technology are challenging this chauvinist societal norm. Today, many women are pioneering in many areas and generating amazing goods.
Technology diversity is crucial because it allows firms to build innovative products and provide effective outcomes. According to one study, organisations with a higher female presence outperform the competition, acquire superior talent, and retain personnel.
Despite this, men now dominate the field of technology and computer science, with women accounting for 49.6% of the global population but just 27% of technological occupations.
This, however, has not always been the case. In the early days of computer programming, women occupied the majority of technical occupations. Nonetheless, in the 1950s and 1960s, perceptions about the industry gradually evolved, screening out many new female applications. Unfortunately, women received little acknowledgment for their achievements, and history has made it easy to overlook their important contributions.
Even now, it can be difficult for women in technology to pursue and progress their desired occupations. Inequitable income, scepticism, and work-life balance are just a few of the difficulties that still exist in the workplace.
Despite these challenges, women have been pioneering new inventions for almost 300 years, including creating the first computer language, laying the groundwork for Wi-Fi, and calculating the initial flight route for NASA’s space mission. These remarkable female leaders deserve to have their story heard and their efforts recognised.
Over the previous decade, women have progressively gained ground in the world of technology. Women leaders in India inspire many of us among the expanding number of women in technology. Today, many women are breaking new ground and inventing wonderful goods in a range of sectors.
Women have resisted oppression and built out roles for themselves in the world over time. We chose to present you to the top five women leaders in India’s technology area from among those tough ladies. Let’s take a look at some of the most powerful women in technology in 2022.
Akanksha Hazari
Akansha Hazari is a second-time entrepreneur with over a decade of business experience in India, the Middle East, and the United States. In January 2020, she launched LoveLocal.
Akanksha is also a polyglot, speaking six (yes, six!) languages from all over the world. She is the only Indian IT entrepreneur who has been listed in the book “100 Women Using Their Power to Empower.” The multi-talented creator is also a graduate of prominent universities such as Princeton and Cambridge. She has received international recognition, including The Hult Prize in 2011.
LoveLocal is a hyperlocal e-commerce site that is changing the way people purchase in India by empowering local merchants and digitising the $1.1 trillion unorganised retail industry. The company’s objective is to power the world’s largest retail network. Furthermore, they seek to provide the future neighbourhood retail experience. Since its beginning, the company has expanded 40 times under Akanksha’s leadership and now services over 35 cities and 1300+ post codes across India.
Upasana Taku
Have you heard of Mobikwik? Clearly, practically everyone has! Mobikwik is one of the major mobile payment networks in India, owing to how much digital payments have become a part of our daily life. It is the largest independent mobile payments network in India. Upasana Taku and Bipin Preet Singh founded the company in April 2009. With a single tap, you may shop at stores, pay bills, recharge, send money, and receive payments. Furthermore, it links more than 30 million consumers with 75,000 shops.
Upasana, a Stanford University graduate, has over ten years of expertise in the financial industry. Many people have been inspired by her entrepreneurial career. The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India honoured her with the “Best Woman Entrepreneur Award 2017.” (ASSOCHAM). The co-founder is the first female to head a payments firm in India, and she is passionate about her vision for India’s fintech sector.
Simmi Dhamija
She is in charge of Tech Mahindra’s full-scale transformation across various dimensions, including Profit Improvement, Future Skilling, Digitization, Automation, Portfolio Optimization, Financial Process Excellence, and Operations Excellence. Simmi has worked in the Delivery and Operations teams of Tech Mahindra. She is a thought leader and an articulate speaker who has addressed a variety of venues and conferences. Tech Mahindra honoured her with the “Woman Leader of the Year Award” in 2018. She earned a management degree from IMT Ghaziabad. Simmi is passionate about social responsibility. She is on the advisory board of the Pinkshe Foundation to further the cause.
Debjani Ghosh
Debjani has worked in the IT field for many years. Debjani is also a vocal supporter of gender diversity in business India. She was the first woman to chair Intel India, the Manufacturers’ Association for Information Technology (MAIT). But she is currently the head of NASSCOM. During her distinguished career at Intel, she performed numerous leadership responsibilities across geographies in South and Southeast Asia.
NASSCOM organises the Indian Leadership Forum for people who are unaware. It is a non-profit organisation that allows growing companies to network and advertise their products. NASSCOM hosts national, international, regional, and flagship events. Debjani Ghosh is the first female president of the organisation in 30 years!
She believes that technology has the potential to enhance people’s lives and livelihoods. She is also determined to put it to good use. She was also a key influence behind the development of the ‘Think Digital, Think India’ initiative. She redefines what it means to be a woman leader in India’s technology sector.
Roshni Nadar Malhotra
HCL Technologies’ Chairperson is Roshni Nadar Malhotra. She is also the CEO of HCL Corporation, the Shiv Nadar Foundation’s Trustee, and the Founder and Trustee of The Habitats Trust.
Roshni Nadar, the daughter of Shiv and Kiran Nadar, is India’s first female CEO of a publicly traded IT business. Don’t allow her father’s pioneering work overwhelm her own. She is a legend who is ranked 54th among the world’s 100 most powerful women by Forbes. She was a successful NEWS producer at Sky News in the United Kingdom before joining HCL. Roshni has also garnered several honours and distinctions for her remarkable accomplishments in business and philanthropy. Moreover, in 2020, Forbes also featured her among the ‘25 Most Powerful Businesswomen in Asia.’
Conclusion
Women in India who are leaders in technology confront several hurdles. However, women like them and others are causing a ripple in the sector by overcoming racism, salary disparities, and a slew of other challenges. They serve as an inspiration and a role model for future bright women in India. Apart from these ladies, there are many more powerful women in leadership positions in India who have paved the path for us.
