Female representation in India’s manufacturing and industrial sectors has historically been limited due to challenges such as unequal access to resources, funding and support for women. This reflects the urgent need to leverage the talents of India’s entire population. Initiatives promoting women's education, empowerment, and economic independence are gradually breaking down traditional barriers.
Embracing Diversity & Inclusion in India
The fastest-growing economy in the world, India has seen a huge increase in employment opportunities and an accompanying shift in workforce diversity. Women are now far more visible in leadership positions in both the public and private sectors, and as entrepreneurs in a range of sectors. In 2019, Indian Labor Ministry allowed women to work in mines, which was earlier prohibited in the Mines Act, 1952. Additionally, many Indian state governments have now been issuing notifications making it possible for employers to employ female employees in night shift.
As per the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) report 2019-20, industries such as fabricated metals, leather products, machinery and other transport saw a doubling of the number of female workers in the period of 2009-2019. Historically, physical strength was of utmost significance for operating machinery on manufacturing floors. However, with Industry 4.0 coming in play, it has brought remarkable shift towards skills rather than sheer strength. As AI and automation is taking center stage in machinery and metals related sectors, it is bringing numerous opportunities for women.
Charting Success: MJ Suma's Evolution from Project Engineer to Industry Leader
MJ Suma is ABB India’s Bids & Engineering Manager for the Process Industries division. Twenty-three years ago, MJ was one of an initial female intake of project engineers who made up composite plant teams for Process Industries in Bangalore, in the Indian state of Karnataka. She quickly ascended to a team-leader role, contributing to the efficiency and success of industries such as cement, steel manufacturing, mining and pulp & paper — staples of the rapidly growing Indian economy.
As a young leader, MJ learned to bridge and challenge biases with people skills and has always been a great supporter of the people around her. In turn, she acknowledges the support of her managers – “A good manager can give you lessons for a lifetime,” she says.
Elevating Sales & Marketing: Madhumita Sharma’s journey of harnessing her full potential
ABB consistently encourages all its employees to explore their potential and to gain cross-sector and cross-industry knowledge. Madhumita Sharma, a Marketing Specialist in Process Industries at ABB India, has grasped these opportunities. Initially employed as a Bidding Manager, Madhumita successfully transitioned to Marketing and Sales, where she currently spearheads growth strategies and customer-satisfaction initiatives.
Madhumita says, “ABB has provided me with abundant opportunities to realize my potential – in thatsense it has bestowed me with wings that make me unstoppable. But this takes hard work, learningfrom mentors and not being afraid to be visible”.
Unlocking success: Akanksha’s engineering expertise at the core of Research and Development
The Unstoppable campaign initiated in 2023 by ABB Process Industries showcases successful andresilient women in industry who, despite facing myriad challenges and gender biases have neverstopped working to achieve their goals and have thereby immeasurably contributed to the diverse andinnovative nature of ABB culture.
Take Akanksha Tripathy, Digital Solution Engineering Specialist, with ABB India: “My journey withABB commenced a decade ago when I embarked as a Management Trainee in the Process Industriesdivision at ABB India. Starting from providing support for customer digital cases, I progressed into thecreation of digital solutions that became integral parts of ABB’s diverse portfolio.”
Championing Change: ABB India's Efforts to Foster Diversity
In 2018, ABB India inaugurated a national Diversity & Integrity (D&I) Council tasked with overseeing local application of group’s D&I framework. Recent initiatives in India are already proving effective in attracting and nurturing a fresh cohort of talented women.
In the past four years, ABB India has doubled the number of women in its paid workforce where they now make up 19% of employees. Some of the ongoing initiatives that have helped move the needle include RISE, Gender-Neutral Parental Leave and scholarship programs. RISE Women Leadership Development Program is designed to identify promising female employees within the organization and provide them with professional development opportunities to be ABB India’s future leaders. Other significant policies include permitting telecommuting, daycare centers for employee’s children which were introduced to make workplace more friendly for women and it has aided in retaining and engaging female talent.
Trailblazers of Resilience: ABB's Unstoppable Women
In engineering, digital, leadership, marketing and shop-floor roles at ABB India, women have been a positive energy, driving the success of manufacturing and significantly contributing to every facet of the country’s inspirational growth story.
Through the Unstoppable campaign, we had the opportunity to engage with and acknowledge these remarkable women who have excelled not only in their professional endeavors but also in various aspects of life.
Akansha says, “It is important to raise the public visibility of women in industry across India. The more role models we have, the more we can encourage girls and women to pursue careers in industrial sectors. I am proud to play a part in this with ABB”. She adds, “I recommend that any young individual entering ABB embraces mistakes as a crucial aspect of the learning journey. It contributes to personal growth. Instead of feeling disheartened, consider engaging in open communication with superiors and colleagues to foster a positive learning environment.”
And MJ characteristically brings the team into her success story, “I have been able to grow with this organization because of the people I met along the way. As a leader in industry, I see it as my duty to promote diversity, elevate women and ensure equality for all.” Suma’s only advice to the young women in manufacturing is “Follow your passion and be true to yourself. Understand your strength and strive for excellence.’’
Check out some of ABB’s other Unstoppable stories here: https://campaign.abb.com/unstoppable
