SANGITA PARMAR, HD Advisor & Consultant, lives in Mumbai:
I DO believe that women make better leaders because they are fair, more transparent, at least most of them that I know in the corporate world do not play politics. But the fact also remains that it is much tougher for a woman to be in a leadership position, especially in India because Indian men have deeply set chauvinist viewpoints, they are a little conservative, they find it very difficult to accept a female boss.
Especially in politics we know it is such a dirty game. Indira Gandhi managed because she got it on a bit of a platter, plus she has a legacy, because there was high regard for her father and generally people were in awe of her and her background. But yet I know, we all know, that she also had it very tough and it wasn’t easy for her to be there.
Also I feel female leaders are less corrupt, I know some can be very corrupt, but at least they are not as corrupt as men can be! They are also more focussed, more committed, more sincere in what they do. It’s just that unfortunately today in the Indian political scenario I don’t see any female who can really lead the nation; maybe at state level, but at the national level and to globally really make a mark, I don’t see anybody currently. And that’s my opinion.
But like I said initially in the corporate world also even today it is not easy for a woman. All of us have to deal with male ego, male insecurities and arrogance, one needs to have a lot of metal and gumption to stand up firm and tall to be able to be inspiring and effective in the role!