Sushree Panda, Sr. VP and Head – Marketing and Communications, Varthana
“As we approach International Women’s Day, the theme ‘Accelerate Action’ underscores the importance of investing in women for the betterment of society and businesses. True gender equality remains a distant goal – over 130 years away at the current pace, according to the World Economic Forum. This is not just a statistic, but a powerful call to action.
Despite efforts in diversity and inclusion, women are still underrepresented in senior roles and ‘the broken rung’ – the barrier at the first step to management – persists. Female boardroom representation remains lowest at the executive level, even as women do better on the consumer-facing side. Without equal representation, progress will stall.
To drive real progress, businesses must address systemic barriers – providing equal opportunities, fostering mentorship, and ensuring pay equity. At Varthana, we believe progress isn’t just about awareness; it’s about breaking the barriers that make gender equality a distant dream. We leverage the transformative power of women to drive the change needed to bridge the gap.
This Women’s Day, let’s celebrate those who’ve shattered ceilings, but also reflect on those still facing hurdles. Let’s take action to dismantle systemic inequalities and create opportunities for every woman – regardless of where she starts – to rise, lead, and transform the world”.
