From Policy To Practice: How To Build A Truly Inclusive Workplace For Women

Creating an inclusive workplace for women is about fostering an environment where women feel valued and have equal opportunities to grow. Despite progress in gender inclusivity, many workplaces still struggle with unconscious biases, lack of representation in leadership roles and inadequate support systems. True inclusivity requires organisations to take deliberate, ongoing action so that women have a voice that is heard and respected. 

From offering flexible work arrangements and leadership development programmes to addressing workplace biases, companies must integrate meaningful initiatives that empower women at all levels. Industry leaders across sectors recognise this need and are implementing strategies that make a real difference in workplace inclusivity. 

 Keys to Inclusive Workplaces for Women

"Inclusivity isn’t just about hiring more women, it’s about ensuring they have equal representation in decision-making and leadership roles,” says Nazneen Batliwalla - HR Head, SKIL. “We prioritise creating a workplace at SKIL, where women are actively supported in their career growth, given opportunities to take on higher roles and mentored through leadership development programmes. We strongly believe that diversity in leadership enhances decision-making. So we actively invest in mentorship and training workshops to help women break barriers and excel.

"Flexibility is another key factor in providing an inclusive work environment. We have implemented hybrid work models,parental leave policies, and are discussing multiple other initiatives to ensure that women can balance professional growth with personal responsibilities. Even regular gender-sensitization workshops help eliminate unconscious biases and create a more collaborative workplace culture.

"We are working towards building an all-women’s operations team that can thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. We’re seeking individuals who are adaptable to shifts and passionate about taking ownership of their roles. And we already have women ready to step up and build their teams from the ground up. True inclusivity is about creating a work environment where women feel seen, heard and empowered to lead," she further adds

Indranil Sen, Head of HR, from Tamarind Global notes, "The hospitality and wedding industry has traditionally restricted women to limited roles due to prevailing biases and their inability to embrace inclusiveness, but we are committed to changing that dynamic. We actively work toward creating opportunities for women across the enterprise including key decision-making and leadership roles, ensuring that they not only receive the same mentorship and career advancement as their male counterparts. This helps embrace inclusion of qualitative diversity of perspectives and experiences. Our focus is on equipping women with the confidence and skill set needed to take on client-facing roles, large-scale event management and operational leadership.

"One of the biggest challenges for women in this industry is equitable opportunities at workplace which includes flexible and safe workplaces, especially during high-intensity seasons and events that requires operating under challenging circumstances. We also encourage networking and mentorship programmes, so that women in our workforce have access to the right support and professional development. An inclusive workplace lets women thrive and not just redefine industry norms but also reform societies for the future to build sustainable societies." he states.

Building a truly inclusive workplace for women requires a multi-faceted approach, one that includes policy changes, cultural shifts and long-term commitment from businesses and organizations. Those who prioritise inclusivity see increased productivity, better team dynamics and a stronger reputation as progressive employers. Businesses must actively work toward dismantling biases and cultivating an environment where women don’t just participate but succeed with flying colours!