Why women neglected in IT cos

Rupam Singh Gupta / TNN / Dec 13, 2007, 00:24 IST

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Another interesting point the study would focus on is the loss that firms witnessed because they did not involve women as well as the business imperatives of employing women

AHMEDABAD: Considering the IT and ITES sectors are making progress by leaps and bounds, there's one segment that has a nominal presence at the top rung of leadership in these sectors. Not that they lack the zeal or are backward in terms of education and qualification. Then why doesn't the fairer sex have a fair presence in senior positions?
Findings of a survey on the best practices and attitudes relating to women workforce in the IT and ITES industry, initiated by Nasscom in collaboration with IIM-A, is expected to be out in a few weeks and will probably throw some light on this aspect.
"The study is aimed at how to break this 'digital' barrier and overcome this 'class' feeling. It will help us understand why very few women are able to reach the top rung of leadership," said Asha Kaul, associate professor and co-chairperson, Gender Resource Centre, IIM-A.
"The study is halfway through and once it gets over, we will come out with the findings subsequently," she added.

Nasscom is currently holding the IT Women Leadership Summit 2007 in Bangalore. On Wednesday, Kiran Karnik, president of the organisation, said the study would explore issues like the attitudes of both men and women related to women workforce, and the percentage of women occupying senior positions.
It would also try to study the practices in the BPO and retail sector where employment of women was higher and the "lear ning points" from these sectors that could be shared with the rest of the industry. It would look at the best practices relating to women in the industry, Karnik said.

Another interesting point the study would focus on is the loss that firms witnessed because they did not involve women as well as the business imperatives of employing women. "During the survey women are also questioned on the attitudes of their male colleagues and would touch on the issue of gender sensitivity," he said.
Replying to questions on changing work practices, Karnik said some in the industry had been experimenting with issues like providing more flexible working hours for women, working from home or a short four hour shift and allowing women to take a break to attend to their maternal duties.

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