Female Workforce In Pharma: Knocking On The Glass Ceiling?

With roughly only one women out of ten professionals constituting the workforce of the Indian pharma industry, it seems that it may take a long while before the sector can claim a healthy gender diversity ratio. However, despite the challenges, women stalwarts are defying stereotypes to create space for more ladies in top leadership in the India Pharma Inc

- Tarannum Rana

Nationwide, most industries are guilty of having skewed gender equality ratios and the Indian pharmaceutical industry is no exception. According to a report published by Mercer India, female representation in the pharma industry is just 11 per cent — of the 49.5-million-plus strong. The statistics vary across sectors. While female representation in the manufacturing function stands at 12 per cent, 17 per cent in R&D and 21 per cent in corporate functions, it slopes down to a mere 5 per cent in the sales and marketing function.

The figures are even more dismal when it comes to the percentage of women in top leadership roles. Yes, the industry can boast of a few women leaders — like Biocon’s Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw. But the truth is that a lot more numbers need to be added up before the Indian pharma industry can fix the gender gap in its top leadership.

Unfortunately, it is nothing less than ironical that while traditionally, women are the main healthcare providers at homes, their representation in an industry that is the backbone of the country’s healthcare system is completely disproportionate, especially in top leadership roles. However, interestingly, it could very well be that pharma companies could actually gain by improving their workforce’s gender diversity.

According to a 2018 report by McKinsey Global Institute, India could add up to $0.7 trillion — more than 18 per cent — to its GDP by 2025, simply by paying attention to the slanting balance of its gender equality scales. Also, it is only fair that companies should represent and reflect their customers and their end-users.

But, what are the challenges that limit women from scaling the ladder to the top in the pharma sector?

Stuck with stereotypes?