From Artificial Intelligence and cybersecurity to space technology and climate innovation, women are playing a growing role in shaping the technologies that define the modern world. Yet despite progress, women remain underrepresented across many areas of the technology sector. On International Women’s Day, industry leaders and innovators reflect on the challenges that remain and the opportunities ahead as the next generation of women enters one of the most influential industries of the 21st century.
The Tech Panda asked several women in technology, business, and leadership about the challenges women still face in the ecosystem.
Shikha Bhatt, Head of Delivery, India, Newgen Software
“Women today don’t lack capability; they still face ecosystems that question their confidence more than their competence. The real challenge isn’t about breaking the glass ceiling, it’s about navigating invisible expectations, double standards, and the constant need to prove impact. My advice to women leaders is simple; own your voice without apology, build alliances instead of permission, and remember that leadership is not about fitting in, it’s about changing the space you walk into.”
Vibha Jain, Head of Digital Lending Solutions Group, Newgen Software
“Akin to the vision of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore of a new and awakened India pre-independence, Today I have a vision of a new evolved society…
Where a woman is without fear and her head is held high
Where her respect is supreme
Where she is not just worshipped in the temples but revered at homes
Where she is not seen as an object of lust
Where her contributions are valued and not taken for granted
Where she is seen as Decision Maker rather than a Decision Taker
A world where birth of a girl child becomes a celebration in itself
Into that Societal Era where “SHE” moves to the right-hand side of the Balance Sheet of Life!”
Madhumita Agrawal, Founder & CEO, Oben Electric
“Women’s Day is a reminder that leadership is not defined by gender, but by the courage to solve meaningful problems. When women step into spaces like technology, engineering, and manufacturing, they expand what leadership looks like for the next generation. The most important step is believing in your own competence, taking bold risks, and building with conviction. Over time, consistent performance speaks louder than stereotypes, and that is how real change happens.”
Rakhi Pal, Co-Founder & COO, EventBeep
“True progress happens when opportunity is not limited to those with the right networks or advantages. In education and recruitment today, there is a growing focus on helping young women build real career confidence through mentorship, skill development, and practical exposure to industry. When women are supported with the right tools, training, and opportunities to grow, they step into the workforce with stronger voices and fresh perspectives. That is when we truly begin to see leadership and innovation expand in meaningful ways.”
Sridevi CP, Quality & Process Excellence Head, 1Point1 Solutions Ltd
“Women have made strong strides across the technology ecosystem, and today we see increasing participation across AI, analytics, product, and transformation roles. The larger challenge today is no longer entry but rather the pace. Technology, and particularly AI and generative automation, is changing at a very fast pace. The only way to keep up is to reinvent continuously. In an AI-led BPM environment like ours at 1Point1, the role is changing from traditional process management to intelligent automation, prompt engineering, analytics-driven quality, and transformation leadership. The real differentiator today may not just be technical competence but adaptability and the ability to work seamlessly at the intersection of technology and human insight. In this new tech-driven era, we strongly believe that Hybrid Intelligence , the combination of AI and human expertise, is the future, and women must be at the forefront of shaping this transformation. To stay competitive in an AI-driven world, today’s women leaders must cultivate deep familiarity with emerging technologies and strengthen their digital and analytical capabilities. Build future-ready capabilities in AI, data, and digital transformation. Equally important is building networks that enable access to larger opportunities and strategic roles. Leadership in the modern tech ecosystem is about problem-solving, empathy, and thinking strategically. These are qualities that diverse women leaders bring to the table. As AI continues to disrupt industries, women leaders who can leverage technical capabilities with collaborative leadership will be instrumental in developing human-centered solutions at scale.”
Swetha Srivastava, Practice Head of Data Analytics & AI, Inspira Enterprise
“Despite the increasing awareness of gender disparity, women remain underrepresented in technology leadership, and that includes cybersecurity. As cyber threats evolve, it is equally critical for our technology and leadership to follow. To establish a more inclusive and competitive industry, organizations have to launch initiatives to support and advance women in leadership. Structured leadership development programs focused on upskilling and networking build relevant skills and confidence in women to step into leadership roles while expanding their professional networks. As the Practice Head, Data Analytics and AI at Inspira Enterprise, I believe women technology leaders bring a fresh perspective and strategic thinking that can fuel innovation to strengthen digital defenses, helping organizations to stay a step ahead of emerging threats. This International Women’s Day, I celebrate the courage and commitment of women leaders who overcome barriers of gender bias in the tech industry to achieve their goals.”
Dr. Preet Sandhu, Founder & Promoter of AVPL International & Startup Stairs
“Women entrepreneurs continue to face structural funding gaps, with women-led startups still receiving a disproportionately small share of venture capital due to persistent bias and limited access to influential investor networks. In sectors like drone technology and agritech, the challenge is even sharper because these spaces remain heavily male-dominated, resulting in fewer mentorship opportunities and lower visibility. Additionally, many women leaders still navigate the pressure of balancing professional ambitions with family responsibilities, which can impact scale and growth momentum.”
“All women leaders should focus on having strong, intentional networks – especially within women-focused accelerators and investor communities. Always back your pitches with clear traction from pilots and on-ground impact. Embrace resilience and leverage AI and digital tools to work smarter and scale faster. Most importantly, step beyond comfort zones and actively advocate for flexible, inclusive policies that enable women to lead sustainably without burnout.”
Manjula Girish, Business Head, ODM, Delta Electronics India
“Something exciting is happening on the factory floors of India. More women are stepping in, stepping up, and setting the pace. They are not just filling positions — they are redefining what manufacturing excellence looks like. Because when we empower women at work and give them opportunity, we gain in progress through diverse leadership.
The industry is stronger for it, and it will only get stronger as more women take their place at every level. This Women’s Day, let us not just acknowledge that progress — let us accelerate it. The next generation of manufacturing leaders is already here, and they are ready to embrace the future.”
Anjali Sharma, Vice President HR &Global Head of Learning & Development, Fulcrum Digital
“International Women’s Day 2026 reminds us that progress is a collective journey, built on the contributions we choose to make. The theme ‘Give To Gain’ highlights a powerful truth: when organizations invest in mentorship, inclusive leadership, access to learning, and equitable growth pathways for women, the returns are immense, including increased innovation, resilience, and business performance.
In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, opportunity stands as the true differentiator. As we enter the era of Artificial Intelligence, our commitment must include intentionally upskilling women to lead and master these emerging technologies.”
Garima Sharma, Director, Operations, iLink Digital
“This year’s Women’s Day theme, “Give to Gain,” resonates strongly in a moment where AI is reshaping how organizations think, decide, and grow. The technology we build carries the imprint of those who design and govern it. When women are meaningfully included in decisions around data, automation, and strategy, the result is not just diversity of representation, but depth of thinking. Outcomes become more balanced, more resilient, and better grounded in reality. Empowering women with real influence across transformation programs, governance models, and client-facing decisions strengthens both execution and judgment. It sharpens risk awareness, reinforces accountability, and adds the nuance that complex, AI-driven environments demand. Giving, in this context, is not symbolic but structural. It is about trust, ownership, and authority. When leadership reflects a breadth of perspectives at the intersection of business and technology, organizations gain adaptability, stability, and innovation that is not just intelligent, but human.”
Jo Aggarwal, Founder & CEO, Wysa
“Staying user-focused sounds like something we would all do as founders but it is surprisingly easy to forget your users, and focus instead on your funders, especially when your users are not directly giving you revenue. There is a reason why quality of design and innovation in B2C, B2B/B2G spaces differ so much. However, the best differentiation and the best likelihood of staying relevant and excellent in this post-AI world is if you are constantly iterating with a user lens. It is becoming easier and easier to build what they need, but also easier to just reaffirm the errors you are making and your own blind spots. Stay humble, keep going back to the user, name every project around the purpose and user, not the client or the funder. That is how you give to gain.”
Veronika Folkova, Senior Director, People Business Partner, Confluent
“This year’s theme #GiveToGain feels especially relevant in today’s workplace. For me, giving is not symbolic, it is structural. When workplace actively involves women, create equitable opportunities, and invest time in mentorship, the outcome is not just inclusion, it is stronger business performance as well. I feel, diverse leadership drives better decisions, deeper innovation, and greater resilience. Yet representation does not improve by intention alone; it improves when those in positions of influence consciously give access, visibility, and advocacy. Organisations that embed this mindset don’t just advance women; they build cultures of trust and sustained growth. Real progress begins when giving becomes leadership behaviour, not just Women’s Day messaging.”
Indira Vidyaprakash, Vice President of Software Development Engineering, Workday India
“Gender equity isn’t achieved by good intentions alone; it must be built into the way we design work. As AI reshapes how value is created and how performance is measured, we have a powerful opportunity to move beyond hours and visibility toward skills, outcomes, and real potential. This shift can create more sustainable career pathways, particularly for women balancing multiple responsibilities. Yet technology by itself will not close equity gaps. Progress comes when leaders choose to give — give visibility, give skills, give confidence, and give opportunity.”
