A recent HerKey study revealed that women represent 36% of the workforce in Indian startups and SMEs. The HerKey DivHERsity Benchmarking Report 2023–24 found that women make up 34% of the workforce across all surveyed companies, which included 300 firms.
Large enterprises led with a 38% women participation rate at the entry level, although this figure drops to 19% at mid-management and senior levels. Notably, the proportion of women hired in C-suite roles has decreased to 24% from the previous 37%, indicating a need for stronger measures to support women’s advancement to top leadership positions.
Neha Bagaria, Founder & CEO of HerKey, commented on the findings: “Women don’t face a constraint on ambition—they face a constraint on opportunity. The DivHERsity Benchmarking Report underscores the need for continued efforts to elevate women to leadership roles.”
The study highlighted that 84% of surveyed companies have initiatives dedicated to recruiting women, with 98% of large enterprises committed to gender diversity goals in hiring. Among these, 88% successfully met their objectives. Startups and SMEs are also making strides, with a 97% success rate in achieving gender diversity goals.
Additionally, 82% of large enterprises and 67% of SMEs and startups have launched programs to hire women returning to work. These initiatives have been highly successful, with 93% of women in large enterprises and 83% in startups and SMEs being hired through such programs.
Founded in 2015, HerKey collaborates with over 15,000 companies across India, helping them to recruit women employees.