Women’s Leadership, Gender Integration and DEI in the Impact Sector

Gender diversity drives productivity, innovation, and retention, yet a significant gap persists. Despite higher educational attainment and a growing economy, many urban Indian women continue to exit the workforce. While female labour force participation rose from 20.4% in 2017–18 to 23.8% in 2021–22 (PLFS), the share of urban women in salaried jobs fell to a six-year low, from 54% in Q1 to 52.8% in Q2 (Business Standard). Even when women stay, they often face unequal environments designed for male success.

To address these barriers, EquiLead conducted “Unpacking Gender-Equitable Leadership in Organisations”. Phase one (Dec 2022–June 2023) surveyed 70 organisations, followed by phase two (Aug–Oct 2024) expanding to 128 organisations. This report consolidates findings from both phases, offering insights into advancing gender equity in leadership.

You can read the full report here