Where are the Women Leaders in Healthcare?

Despite women accounting for half of the healthcare workforce, they remain significantly underrepresented in leadership positions, particularly at the executive and board levels. A flagship study, An Unbalanced Scale – Exploring the Female Leadership Gap in India’s Healthcare Sector conducted by Dasra, provides valuable insights into the representation and leadership opportunities for women in India’s healthcare sector.

 The Indian healthcare sector, one of India’s largest employers, has seen substantial growth. However, statistics reveal that women in healthcare are largely concentrated on the frontline in low-paying jobs. In India, 29% of medical doctors, 80% of nursing staff (including midwives), and nearly 100% of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) are women. And yet, women occupy only 18% of
healthcare leadership positions and continue to earn 34% less than their male counterparts.

 India’s healthcare sector is affected by the lack of standardized and publicly available data on women’s representation across entry, mid-level, and senior roles in small, medium, and large companies. With an objective to tap into the full potential of women in leadership, and to map the status of leadership and representation in the Indian healthcare ecosystem, Dasra conducted a landscape study to collect primary qualitative data and conduct an analysis of macro-trends across healthcare sub-sectors.

 The results from the study stark gender disparities within the Indian healthcare sector’s leadership
landscape.

 Key Findings from the Report Include:

 Currently, within private hospitals—which employ 54% of the total healthcare workforce—women hold about 25-30% of leadership positions. We see a similarly stark picture in the Pharmaceutical and Biotech sectors, with women occupying only 5-10% of leadership positions.

• Upon closer inspection of career pathways in the healthcare sector, a wide gap between the proportion of women participating in healthcare employment and those who occupy leadership positions is evident. When we looked at roles with the highest potential for influence, for every 5 such roles, 4 are from sales, marketing or operations backgrounds, where women’s representation is found to be very low. At entry levels, women’s representation in sales, marketing, and operations is between 40-50%, yet this significantly drops to 15-20% in senior roles
•  In contrast, women are amply represented in R&D, nursing, HR, administrative, quality assurance, legal, and regulatory affairs—functions that have a low potential for influence. Preferential hiring of women for entry-level HR roles results in a significant 70-80% representation, but this drops to 20-30% in leadership positions. A similar pattern is observed in patient service teams, F&B, etc., with preferential recruitment of women at entry levels (40-60%), but with few women advancing to senior administrative levels at 15- 20%.
•  The key barriers to women’s advancement to leadership roles, are the lack of role models, undervaluing of women’s work, internalized biases, and the absence of a convincing cultural narrative around gender equity and diversity.

 “Gender equity in healthcare leadership isn’t just a matter of addressing gender imbalance, it’s a paradigm shift towards cultural, structural, and normative change. This report serves as our commitment to informed action, advancing our mission to create inclusive spaces and challenging deeply ingrained patriarchal structures”, said Neera Nundy from Dasra. “We are also grateful for the support from some courageous industry leaders, which demonstrates a collective commitment to address these core cultural and historical challenges.”

 The findings in this report are based on extensive research, including expert interviews, analysis of research reports, scrutiny of company reports, and the assessment of the career profiles of leaders, with special consideration given to their educational qualifications and professional journeys.

 Enabling Women’s Leadership Advancement: A Roadmap for Progress

 The study also recommends holistic interventions and has identified enablers to address deeply ingrained beliefs and challenges faced by women in healthcare leadership, which can be implemented at both organizational and policy levels. Some of the solutions include facilitating women’s retention through measures like re-entry options after career breaks, providing flexible work policies, and prioritizing women’s representation in historically male-dominated roles.

 “The onus is on organizations, particularly within these sub-sectors, to harness this momentum and champion gender-equitable workforces. It is an opportunity for them to be the pioneers in building a diverse and inclusive workforce”, said Manisha Dhawan, Advisor, The Udaiti Foundation.

 As a supplement to this landscape, The Udaiti Foundation has devised a ‘menu’ of practices called the ‘Pathways to Progress: Organizational Practices to Bridge the Leadership Gender gap in the Health Sector’ to advance women’s leadership in healthcare.

 Dasra, in collaboration with partners, will use these insights to design and test interventions that support women’s leadership with the goal of driving transformative change. By fostering meaningful conversations, advocating for organizational change, and influencing policy reforms, the initiative seeks to create an environment that empowers women leaders, driving interconnected progress in healthcare and beyond.

MQDC Showcases Luxury Bangkok Residences in Delhi as India’s Elite Seek Prestigious “Third Home” Properties

– Leading Thai developer is showcasing prestige Bangkok properties for Indian buyers
– MQDC is pioneering for Thai developers in India with its Whizdom Clubs in Delhi and Gurugram
– MQDC offers outstanding “third home” opportunities with high yields amid a surge in Indian travel to Thailand

 6th December 2023, New Delhi – MQDC, one of Thailand’s top property developers, is showcasing its prestigious Bangkok properties at an exclusive invitation-only event in New Delhi’s at The Imperial Janpath, New Delhi – 110001, India 30 November 2023

 MQDC is known for Bangkok landmarks including ICONSIAM, a global retail and lifestyle destination. The company has had a presence in India since 2019 with its Whizdom Club, an inspiration hub and co-working space in Delhi’s fashionable Greater Kailash II district.

 The company is now completing its flagship The Forestias forest district, ranked among Thailand’s largest-ever developments with an investment value of $3.8 billion. The green neighborhood spans 64 hectares, integrating homes with lifestyle, healthcare, and transport amenities.

 MQDC in Delhi will present luxury properties to suit high net-worth investors amid the “third home” trend, said Ms. Wilawan Brenig, Vice President of International Market Development.

 “MQDC has a unique offering within Bangkok’s property market that we’re thrilled to be presenting to India’s high- end home buyers at an exclusive showcase on 1-3 December 2023,” she said.

 “Bangkok has a special appeal for high-net-worth investors. Working to exact standards for a discerning global market, MQDC can offer the style and impact that Indian buyers seek in a prestige ‘third home’ reflecting their status and achievement.

 “As a sophisticated mixed-use developer, having led Thailand’s property sector for 30 years, MQDC can also exceed the market in annual yields. MQDC properties average about 5-7% in annual yield, with an annual capital gain of around 3% and rental return of about 5%.”

 MQDC is leading the Thai property sector’s engagement with India with its youthful Whizdom brand. The company is now opening its second Whizdom Club in India at Gurugram, connecting with India’s dynamic startup community. Thailand in 2023 targets 2 million Indian tourists, increasingly central to the country’s tourism industry. The country also has tremendous untapped potential for Indian expats, said Ms. Brenig.

 “MQDC sees India as offering unmatched potential amid Bangkok’s cosmopolitan expat mix, drawn by the city’s amazing amenities, fabulous service culture, and world-class education and healthcare,” she said.

 “MQDC is eager to connect deeper with a country where youthful demographics and a dynamic business culture offer such potential. We can also offer Indian buyers expert support to meet their lifestyle and investment goals, helping ensure secure ownership and the ideal locations and amenities.”

Chalkboard Entertainments announces a strategic partnership with media veteran Sandeep Bhargava

Chalkboard Entertainment, a content company dedicated to producing compelling narratives, today announces a strategic partnership with media veteran Sandeep Bhargava to strengthen their business and content strategy. As a part of his role as a partner, Sandeep will be responsible for taking the organization to its next phase of growth.

An industry veteran, with an exemplary career spanning over 33 years, Sandeep has an extensive track record of transforming companies into highly successful businesses. From collaborating with internationally acclaimed directors and producers to playing a pivotal role in establishing India’s largest film studios – UTV, Sahara One, Viacom18 (Studio18), and The Indian Film Company (One of the first media companies to be listed on the AIM Exchange in London), Sandeep has been a valuable partner to some of the industry’s biggest names for over three decades.

On this collaboration, Sandeep Bhargava said, “I am thrilled to be working with Chalkboard Entertainment at such a dynamic time in the Indian content landscape. Chalkboard has perfectly captured the pulse of evolving narratives and is creating stories in line with that. Our shared vision is to develop an innovative and successful ecosystem that amplifies the impact and extends the reach of their exceptional content. I look forward to building and innovating with the talented team at Chalkboard Entertainment.”

Speaking about the new addition to the team, Vikesh Bhutani, Co-Founder, Chalkboard Entertainment said, “We are thrilled to welcome Sandeep to the leadership team at Chalkboard as we now gear up for our next phase of growth collectively. The rapidly evolving content industry demands a forward-thinking approach centered on innovation and creation and we are confident that his commitment and experience will add immense value to our future endeavors”

Empowering Bharat: TiE Bangalore and Algorand Foundation Unite for Web 3.0 Advancements

The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) Bangalore and the Algorand Foundation have announced a joint initiative aimed at decentralizing the web and advancing the Semantic Web of Things. This partnership leverages the strengths of both organizations to further the reach and impact of blockchain initiatives in India.

 The partnership aims to facilitate knowledge exchange and networking platforms among startups, investors, and industry experts across Blockchain, Web 3.0, and verticals through webinars and in-person events. It also seeks to create opportunities for startups & enterprises focusing on Web 3.0 & Blockchain technology to get access to hands-on workshops as well as Thought- leadership reports. The joint initiative also intends to create academia-industry connections & assist focused startups.

 TiE Bangalore, with its experience in incubation and entrepreneurship promotion, has an established platform to engage startups, entrepreneurs, students, and professionals. Leveraging TiE’s network combined with Algorand’s blockchain operations can further the reach and impact of blockchain initiatives.

Graphite India acquires a 31% shareholding in Godi India

Strategic entry into advanced battery technologies and energy storage systems Focus on fast evolving global electric vehicle battery market and supercapacitor applications.

 India, December 6, 2023 – Graphite India Limited (“Graphite India” or the “Company”, BSE: GRAPHITE; NSE: 509488), one of the largest producers of graphite electrodes globally, has entered into a definitive transaction with a cash consideration of Rs. 50 Crores for an investment in Compulsory Convertible Preference Shares of GODI India Private Ltd (“GODI India”), which on a fully diluted basis will provide an equity shareholding of 31% in the company.

 GODI India, which is currently backed by Blue Ashva Capital, a venture capital fund, is engaged in advanced chemistry R&D to support the manufacturing of sustainable batteries for electric vehicles and supercapacitor-based energy storage systems. In addition to high power density Lithium-ion batteries, GODI India has developed technical expertise in advanced technologies such as Sodium ion and Solid State batteries.

 GODI India’s technologies include Aqueous Electrode Processing TM, Active Dry Coating TM, and Pranic Binder TM which are environment friendly and carbon neutral processes. It is a signatory to The Climate Pledge co-founded by Amazon and Global Optimism in 2019 as a commitment to reach net-zero carbon by 2040.

 Significant growth in Godi India sales and the increasing demand for energy storage systems are underpinning the attractive industry dynamics for the production of battery cells and supercapacitors. GODI India is strategically positioned to capitalize on this opportunity.

 Commenting on the investment, Mr. Ashutosh Dixit, Executive Director of Graphite India, said “We are delighted to announce Graphite India’s strategic investment in GODI India, as part of its strategy to diversify into advanced battery and energy storage systems technologies. GODI India is leading the development of Lithium-ion, Sodium ion, and Solid-State batteries for electric vehicles and consumer electronics for Indian and global markets. This strategic move reaffirms Graphite India’s commitment towards technological innovation and growth, which is a significant step for creating a diversified business portfolio.”

 Commenting on the development, Mr. Mahesh Godi, the Founder and Director of GODI India said “Over the years, GODI India’s team of seasoned scientists and manufacturing experts have successfully developed all the essential battery materials and components using environmentally friendly processes. Our battery product applications focus on the high-growth, dynamic electric vehicle and consumer electronics markets. In addition, GODI India has also developed supercapacitors for a wide range of regenerative energy storage systems for industries including automobiles, trains, telecom towers, and power transmission grids. As a testament to our R&D capabilities, the company received India’s first Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification for in-house developed electric vehicle battery cells. We welcome this strategic partnership with Graphite India not just for their long-standing expertise in carbon and electrode manufacturing, but also for their perspectives on other synergistic technologies.”