India has built one of the world’s strongest pipelines for women in STEM and technology, yet in the Nordics, where gender equality is a global benchmark, female representation in IT and tech leadership remains a challenge.

In this episode, Sunita Mohanty, Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer at Invest India, shares insights on what’s driving India’s success and what the Nordics can learn. With experience leading diversity and workforce transformation at Google Singapore, Sunita discusses the key policies, corporate initiatives, and cultural shifts that have shaped India’s growing female tech workforce.

We explore:

- How India became a global leader in female STEM graduates

- The role of government policies like Vigyan Jyoti and WISE-KIRAN in bridging gender gaps in tech

- Lessons from India’s structured digital skilling programs and corporate-government partnerships

- The future of women in AI, quantum computing, biotech, and emerging tech fields

- Sunita’s personal journey and the impact of mentorship and leadership in creating lasting change

This conversation highlights the importance of mentorship, policy support, and workplace inclusion in building a more diverse and innovative tech sector.

Listen now to understand how gender diversity in technology can be strengthened worldwide.

The Nordic Council of Ministers supports this podcast.

Welcome to Challenges in Recruiting Women in India, a podcast series where we explore the barriers, cultural nuances, and innovative solutions shaping women's participation in India's workforce.

In each episode, we hear from industry leaders, policymakers, and changemakers who are driving efforts to create more inclusive workplaces and advance gender equality.

In this episode, we focus on Leadership: Paving the Way as the First. We unpack the unique challenges women face in leadership roles and explore actionable solutions to inspire change.

Annette Holte, the Country Manager at Kongsberg Maritime India, will join us. She’ll share her journey, insights on leadership in a male-dominated industry, and strategies for breaking barriers to increase the number of women in leadership.

The podcast with Parul Soni will explore the multifaceted role of women in India’s evolving socio-economic landscape, focusing on their contributions to sustainability, leadership, and innovation. As a renowned advocate for gender equality and empowerment, Parul will share insights into the challenges and opportunities for women in India and globally, offering a compelling vision for inclusive growth. The conversation will also explore strategies for fostering women's participation in the circular economy and aligning gender equity with sustainable development goals.