On this International Women’s Day, conversations about women in the workforce often highlight encouraging statistics — and rightly so. In India, healthcare is one of the sectors where women form a strong and visible presence. They serve as doctors, nurses, technicians, quality specialists, researchers, and administrators. Yet, when we look at boardrooms, executive committees, and decision-making forums, the representation of women drops sharply.
This contrast raises an important question: if women form the backbone of healthcare delivery, why are they still underrepresented in leadership?
From my own professional journey spanning three decades in the medical technology and healthcare manufacturing space, I have come to believe that the issue is not one of competence or ambition. Instead, it is shaped by a combination of structural barriers, invisible biases, and the absence of deliberate leadership pathways for women.
Healthcare organisations have historically relied on women’s dedication and resilience, but have not always invested equally in their leadership development. Many women build strong technical or functional expertise, yet do not receive the exposure required to influence strategy, financial decisions, or long-term planning. Leadership is often shaped not just by performance, but by visibility, sponsorship, and access to opportunities — areas where women frequently find themselves at a disadvantage.
Read more at: https://www.bwhealthcareworld.com/article/from-workforce-to-leadership-the-next-step-for-women-in-healthcare-596590
