Breaking Barriers: A Personal Take on Gender Equality and Workplace Inclusion

Every year we see Women’s Day bring a wave of appreciation, social media posts, and corporate events. Beyond this all celebrations, I often think to myself, Are we really making workplaces inclusive for women? Are we moving ahead of all these symbolic gestures to create real change in the workplace?

As someone who has navigated leadership roles, entrepreneurship, tech-driven industries, and as well as the mother at home, I’ve seen the challenges women face while working. From subtle biases in hiring to meetings where people always think she will not be able to work overtime, which are the unspoken expectations around balancing work and family, the hurdles are real. But so is the progress.

Equality Isn’t Just About Policies—It’s About Mindset

I have seen and was the part of companies that proudly showcase their gender diversity numbers, but true inclusion is more than just hiring more women. It’s about making sure their voices are heard everywhere, their growth isn’t limited because she is a woman, and their contributions aren’t overlooked by the male employees.

• Have you ever been in a meeting where a woman’s idea was dismissed by the manager (who is also the male employee) only for a man to repeat it later and get credit?
• Have you faced this situation where women hesitate to negotiate salaries even if she is more qualified, while men confidently ask for more?
• Have you noticed in most of the companies how leadership positions often remain male-dominated?

These everyday situations shape workplace culture, and change starts by accepting them.

What Does True Inclusion Look Like?

As per my opinion, an inclusive workplace is one where:

• Women feel safe and empowered to speak up without judgment by others.
• There is equal pay for equal work, not just in written policy but in actual practice.
• Flexibility is a norm, not a favor to any employee, so women (and men) can balance life and work without any guilt.
• More women are in leadership roles because diverse leadership leads to better decision-making.

What Can We Do?

If you’re a woman in a leadership role, mentor a woman. If you’re hiring an employee, check for unconscious bias and give equal chance irrespective of gender. If you see unfair treatment by male employees, speak up. Change doesn’t happen in one day, but every small action counts in the long run.

This Women’s Day, let’s move beyond just ‘celebrating women’ to actually creating spaces where they can thrive and feel safe—not just today, but every day. Because gender equality isn’t just a women’s issue; it’s everyone’s issue. Rashmi Kulkarni is the co-founder & director of IndoAI Technologies Pvt. Ltd., leading the company in edge AI smart cameras. As Head of UI/UX, she specializes in designing intuitive interfaces, ensuring seamless user experiences for AI-driven applications. With a background in entrepreneurship, technology, and marketing, she also runs a subscription-based UI/UX design agency. Passionate about AI’s role in real-world applications, she actively works on government and B2B projects. Beyond IndoAI, she consults on UI/UX projects, blending creativity with functionality. Rashmi believes in ethical AI, fostering innovation while maintaining a human touch in technology-driven solutions.