Women leadership in India's GCC Landscape

Women now hold 20% of leadership roles in India's GCCs, driving innovation and inclusion. Read about the trends, challenges, and the path ahead for women leaders.

The participation of women in India’s GCC landscape is witnessing a drastic shift. This dynamic transformation is playing an important role in one of the country’s fastest-growing sectors. With women's leadership in GCCs, they are breaking barriers and leading the world in innovation and creativity.

Over the last decade, GCCs have evolved from mere offshore support hubs to strategic pillars in global enterprises. Today, they drive innovation in digital, AI, cybersecurity, finance, etc. As of 2025, women are actively reshaping the sector, holding up to 20% of leadership roles.

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The rise of women leaders

India's GCC ecosystem hosts over 1900 centres with a workforce of 1.9 million+, and it has witnessed a steady increase in women's participation. Representation of women in GCCs rose from 18% in 2010 to about 36-40% in 2025, with leadership roles growing from just 3% to 18-20% in the same period.

Metro cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, and Mumbai are already leading in gender inclusion. Hence, these places offer better career opportunities for women professionals.

Inspiring leaders such as Revathi Advaithi (Flex), Roshni Nadar Malhotra (HCLTech), Lalitha Indrakanti (Jaguar Land Rover) and Mamatha Madireddy (HSBC India Global Services) are strong examples of this shift. They have set great cases for leading innovation, digital growth and business transformation.

Also Read: Top 10 GCC Companies Transforming India’s Business Landscape

Current data and industry progress

As mentioned earlier, recent reports show that women hold around 20% of senior leadership roles in Indian GCCs. The pharma sector leads with 25%, followed by technology GBS at about 22%. Today, the total participation of women in the workforce stands at around 36-40%, and the proportion of women in the technology workforce is expected to reach 35% across all GCCs by 2027.

The attrition rates for women have also improved, matching those of men. Many supportive policies, like flexible work options and maternity retention programs, are certainly responsible for this.

However, challenges still exist. Many women face unconscious bias, a lack of mentors, and limited career paths in technical leadership roles. To tackle this, companies are strengthening Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategies, creating female tech networks, running leadership accelerator programs, and partnering with universities to encourage young women to pursue STEM careers.

Initiatives shaping women's leadership in GCCs

Apart from individual strengths, numerous initiatives have contributed to the presence of women in leadership roles today. Many organisations have now set clear gender diversity goals and are aiming for 40% women at senior levels. They are also investing in leadership programs that build both technical expertise and soft skills.

Today, organisations have diversity councils and succession plans for potential women leaders. Also, women can avail a number of mentorship programs to enhance their growth in companies. In addition, government schemes and private partnerships are helping women through scholarships, coding bootcamps and funding for female-led startups.

Impact and future outlook

Undoubtedly, women leaders are transforming India’s GCC landscape. Their inclusive approach has boosted innovation, teamwork, and business performance. They bring empathy, creativity, and collaboration to the workplace.

By 2030, as India’s GCC sector continues to grow globally, the number of women in both the workforce and leadership positions is expected to rise even more.

With its flexible and collaborative workspaces, WeWork also supports this growth by offering women professionals and leaders the right environment to connect and innovate in India’s evolving GCC ecosystem.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What percentage of leadership roles do women hold in Indian GCCs in 2025?

As of 2025, women hold around 20% of senior leadership roles, with some sectors showing even higher numbers.

Which cities lead in gender inclusion among Indian GCCs?

Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Pune are known for being the most inclusive in women’s growth.

What are the main barriers for women in GCC leadership?

The main barriers are gender bias, limited mentorship and fewer growth opportunities.

What helps women advance in GCC careers?

DEI programs, flexible work policies and STEM-focused partnerships help women grow in their careers.