Brands
6 in 10 face bias, 58 per cent delay care: India’s LGBTQIA+ health crisis
Study highlights bias in care and unsafe spaces shaping everyday choices
MUMBAI: A significant number of LGBTQIA+ women in India are putting off essential healthcare, with 58 per cent reporting delays or avoidance due to discrimination, according to a new study. The figure is the highest among five countries surveyed, pointing to deep-rooted systemic challenges.
The research, conducted by Kantar in partnership with DIVA Charitable Trust and The Curve Foundation, draws insights from over 3,200 LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary individuals globally. Released around Lesbian Visibility Week, the findings highlight how bias continues to shape access to care.
In India, 60 per cent of respondents said they had faced discrimination in healthcare settings, often feeling dismissed or not taken seriously by providers. This has led many to delay seeking treatment, underscoring how trust deficits in the system directly impact health decisions.
The study also reflects broader social realities. Instances of verbal or physical abuse were commonly reported across platforms such as social media, public transport and social venues, reinforcing a persistent sense of insecurity in everyday life.
At the same time, expectations from brands are evolving. In India, 78 per cent of respondents believe companies should actively contribute to advancing diversity and inclusion, signalling a growing demand for corporate accountability.
Kantar India HR head Mridul Shekhar said, “LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary people remain underrepresented and overlooked. Their experiences are shaped by uneven access to care and systems not designed with them in mind. When people are invisible in data, they become invisible in decision-making.”
DIVA Charitable Trust executive director Lady Phyll added, “When people delay healthcare because they fear discrimination, we are no longer talking about symbolic inclusion. These are life decisions driven by the need to feel safe.”
The findings underline a stark reality. While awareness around inclusion is growing, bridging the gap between intent and lived experience remains an urgent priority.
Brands
Indel Money appoints Vinod Panicker as CFO to steer growth plans
Veteran finance leader to drive strategy as firm targets 500 branches
MUMBAI: Indel Money has appointed Vinod Panicker as its chief financial officer, effective 29 April 2026, as the non-banking financial company sharpens its focus on expansion and long-term growth.
Panicker, a chartered accountant with over 38 years of experience across sectors, will be responsible for leading the company’s financial strategy, capital management and governance framework.
The appointment comes at a time when Indel Money is accelerating its expansion plans, with a target of reaching 500 branches across 16 states by the end of FY27. The company is looking to strengthen its operational scale while maintaining financial discipline as it grows its footprint.
With a seasoned finance professional at the helm, the firm is aiming to reinforce its financial architecture and support its next phase of growth in an increasingly competitive lending landscape.
The move signals Indel Money’s intent to align leadership capabilities with its expansion ambitions, as it continues to build scale and deepen its presence across India’s financial services sector.
