Government beats India Inc in gender diversity

Lessons in diversity

Not satisfied with voluntary commitments from companies to increase representation of women on boards of listed companies to 30% by 2015 and 40% by 2020, the European Commission kicked off a debate this week on legislation to ensure the same.

The US is witnessing a campaign to increase the number of women on boards to 20% by 2020. Indian firms are still stuck with less than 3% women directors and even fewer CEOs.

But India Inc need not even look overseas. It can take lessons at home, from the government, which has surprisingly fared far better in gender diversity.