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More than three-quarters of corporate boards have less than 25% female representation: Flipcarbon’s Women in Leadership Report
Mumbai: Flipcarbon, a full-stack business consulting firm today announced the release of its maiden report on “Women in Leadership – Challenges, Opportunities, and Best Practices”. The in-depth report talks about women’s participation in the workplace, the role of women in building a sustainable future and shares best practices into building a diverse workplace. The report also highlights the gender inequality in leadership roles across businesses in the country.
Key data points from the report:
1. Increasing Female Enrolment in Higher Education:
● In FY 2020, 40 million students were enrolled in higher education in India. This is expected to rise to 92 million by FY 2035.
● Female enrolment in engineering colleges, which was nine per cent in 2017, increased to 20 per cent in 2021.
● Female students now make up 58 per cent of total undergraduate enrolment in fall of 2021.
2. Women’s Representation in Leadership:
● More than three-quarters of corporate boards have less than 25 per cent female representation.
● Across most elements explored, women continue to have less than 50 per cent, if not abysmally insignificant opportunity to participate and prove themselves.
● Only 11 per cent organizations have more than 50 per cent female representation across all levels of management.
3. Organisational Initiatives:
● While organisations are making strides, only 65 per cent believe there are equal opportunities for both genders among their employees.
● Initiatives such as flexible working arrangements, leadership mentoring programs, and gender-neutral recruitment are crucial for promoting diversity.
● Across most organizations maternity leave is still largely only legally compliant and not path breaking. Less than 15 per cent policies are better than the law.
● Almost 50 per cent organizations don’t have credible practices to reduce gender pay gap or reduce glass ceiling.
● Almost 40 per cent women make career compromises or must work harder than normal to succeed.
● Almost 25 per cent women face pregnancy or motherhood discrimination.
● About a third of all women feel the need to exhibit overtly masculine traits to succeed at work.
Flipcarbon CEO Alok Ranjan stated, “This is India’s century, and as we continue to showcase strength and leadership in areas such as technology and innovation, we also need to strengthen our focus on gender equality. We have seen a surge in female enrolment in higher education – from nine per cent to 20 per cent in engineering colleges within just 2017 to 2021. Women now comprise 58 per cent of undergraduate enrolment. Yet, when it comes to leadership roles in corporations, the numbers tell a different story. Globally, less than 20 per cent of C-suite positions are held by women, and most corporate boards still lack and do very little to increase female representation. There is a need to demand transparency in hiring and promotion processes. Hold leaders accountable for achieving gender balance in leadership teams – Diversity of thought is our greatest asset, which needs to be leveraged.”
Ranjan further added, “We need to listen and acknowledge that there is a problem, we need to actively work towards creating an ecosystem of inclusivity and build programs and opportunities that enable us to bridge the gap. We need to work on grassroot level changes.”
While organisations are seeing progress, only 65 per cent believe there are equal opportunities for both genders among their employees. To overcome the barriers that persist, the report outlines several key initiatives such as including equal pay, flexible work arrangements, and mentorship programs.
The Women In Leadership report is based on a comprehensive survey of 68 per cent female, 30 per cent male, and two per cent others respondents. The respondents represented diverse management levels, including 27 per cent senior management, 29 per cent middle management, and 36 per cent junior management.
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Maharashtra panel orders Lodha to refund Rs 5 crore to homebuyers
Consumer court flags unfair practices in long-running property dispute case
MUMBAI: In a sharp rebuke to one of India’s biggest real estate players, the Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Macrotech Developers to refund nearly Rs 5 crore to a senior citizen couple, Uttam and Anindita Chatterjee. The ruling, delivered on March 13, 2026, calls out the developer for “deficiency in service” and “unfair trade practices”, bringing closure to a dispute that has stretched over a decade.
The case traces back to 2015, when the couple booked a 3-BHK flat at World Towers in Lower Parel for Rs 12.22 crore, with possession promised within a year. What followed was a series of changes that complicated matters. After deciding to exit the project, they were persuaded to shift to a 4-BHK in another development priced at Rs 8 crore, with delivery scheduled for 2018. However, within months, the price was allegedly increased to Rs 10 crore. After demonetisation reshaped the market, similar flats were reportedly being offered at lower prices, but the couple were not given the benefit.
Despite paying over Rs 2.83 crore, the couple neither received possession nor clarity. Instead, in 2018, the developer unilaterally cancelled the booking, retained part of the amount as earnest money, and argued that the buyers were investors rather than consumers. The commission rejected this claim, observing that casual references to “investment” do not take away consumer rights when the purchase intent is residential.
The bench also held that the developer could not penalise buyers for payment delays while failing to meet its own delivery commitments. It noted the lack of formal documentation for revised terms and termed the prolonged retention of funds without delivering a home as exploitative.
As part of its order, the commission directed the developer to refund Rs 2.83 crore paid by the couple, along with interest at 10 per cent per annum, amounting to around Rs 2.12 crore. In addition, Rs 1 lakh has been awarded for mental agony and Rs 50,000 towards litigation costs, taking the total payout to over Rs 5 crore. The developer has been asked to comply within two months.
For now, the ruling serves as a reminder that in real estate, shifting terms and delayed promises can carry a significant cost.
