International Women’s Day 2026 Special: What women leaders from India’s oil and gas sector say is needed to drive performance

When people think about the oil and gas industry, they often imagine a tough, male-dominated workplace. But across the sector, women engineers are proving that they belong at the centre of some of its most complex and important projects.

This Women’s Day, we share the voices of women from the energy sector who explain how diversity and talent are reshaping the industry.

Danijela Vrbek: Leading Tight Oil Operations in Rajasthan

The Head of Tight Oil for Rajasthan North at Cairn Oil & Gas, Danijela Vrbek, shared her experience with ET. With more than 15 years in the energy industry, she has worked across several technical and operational roles, including Subsurface, Production Optimisation, Operations Excellence, and Tight Oil.


Speaking about her journey and the importance of diversity in the workplace, Vrbek explained how inclusion directly influences organisational success.

“More than 15 years in the energy industry have taught me that inclusion is not an initiative, it is a performance driver. High-performing organisations are inclusive organisations,” she said.

Why Inclusion Matters in the Energy Industry

According to Vrbek, solving complex engineering challenges requires different viewpoints and collaborative thinking.

“Across my career in Subsurface, Production Optimisation, Operations Excellence and now Tight Oil, I have learnt that inclusion matters because complex reservoirs, like complex organisations, require different viewpoints to unlock their full potential,” she said.

She added that inclusive workplaces allow employees to feel valued and confident in contributing their ideas.

“Inclusion creates an environment where people feel seen, heard, and empowered to contribute fully. That is when performance improves. That is when transformation happens,” she said.

Women Leaders Redefining Leadership in Oil and Gas

The oil and gas industry has traditionally been male-dominated, particularly in senior technical and operational positions. However, the growing presence of women leaders is gradually reshaping the sector.

Vrbek believes that women stepping into leadership roles is not merely symbolic but strategically important for organisations.

“In an industry where leadership has traditionally been male-dominated, women stepping into senior technical and operational roles is not symbolic, it is strategic,” she said.

She further explained that women leaders contribute to more balanced decision-making and bring diverse perspectives that strengthen organisations.

“It is not about standing apart, but about standing strong, bringing diverse perspectives and balanced decision-making. When women lead in Oil & Gas, we expand what leadership looks like and create space for others to grow,” she said.

International Women’s Day 2026

For Vrbek, International Women’s Day represents more than a moment of recognition. It is a reminder that progress happens when workplaces encourage every individual to contribute fully.

“Women’s Day, for me, is a reminder that progress happens when everyone has a voice, every day,” she said.

She added that the focus should go beyond celebrating achievements to building workplaces where talent and ambition are not restricted by stereotypes.

“It goes beyond recognition, it is about building workplaces where talent, ambition, and leadership are not limited by stereotypes, but strengthened by diversity,” she said.

Harshita Bohra: From Field Operations to Development Planning

For Harshita Bohra, Lead Planning, West Coast Development at Cairn Oil & Gas, working in the energy sector has been a journey of growth and transformation. She began her career in field operations at RDG with Cairn Oil & Gas, where the experience shaped her understanding of the industry beyond production targets.

Reflecting on her early days in the field, Bohra highlighted the responsibilities that come with working in the oil and gas sector.

“Working in the Oil & Gas sector has been a journey of transformation for me. I began in field operations at RDG with Cairn Oil & Gas, where I learned that energy is not just about production targets, it is about responsibility, safety, and teamwork,” she told ET.

According to Bohra, the experience of working on the ground strengthened her resilience and helped build credibility.

“The field strengthened my resilience and taught me that credibility is built through action. I am truly grateful to Cairn for giving me the opportunities and platform to grow, learn, and contribute meaningfully,” she said.

As her career progressed, Bohra moved into development planning, where her role expanded from handling daily operations to supporting strategic decisions.

“As I transitioned into Development Planning, my role evolved from managing daily operations to supporting CAPEX investments, economic evaluations, and long-term development decisions,” she said.

She added that the work done in the sector has a far-reaching impact.

“The work we do ultimately powers industries, homes, and communities, and being part of that larger impact is deeply meaningful,” Bohra said.

For Bohra, inclusion in the workplace plays an important role in strengthening organisations and improving decision-making.

“I believe inclusion strengthens decision-making. When diverse voices are heard, innovation improves and workplaces grow stronger,” she said.

Speaking about International Women’s Day, Bohra said that the day represents progress beyond a single celebration.

“For me, Women’s Day stands beyond a single celebration. It represents continuous progress, equal opportunity, and the confidence to step forward — not because we are women, but because we are capable,” she said.

Kanak Jaiswal: Highlighting the Gender Data Gap in Engineering

While Kanak Jaiswal, a Project Planning Engineer at Ambe, works closely with project timelines, risk assessments and execution strategies, she believes that diversity in data and perspectives is crucial for better decision-making in engineering.

Drawing from the book Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Pérez, Jaiswal pointed out how historical data gaps can affect systems and workplace structures.

“Much of the world is built around data based on male bodies and experiences, meaning women are often excluded or overlooked,” she said, quoting the book.

For Jaiswal, the idea of the gender data gap strongly connects with her role in project planning and execution.

“As a Project Planning Engineer, I have seen how data drives milestones, risk assessments, and execution strategies. The concept of the gender data gap resonated with me because systemic blind spots may be shaped by historical norms and male-biased datasets,” she said.

She explained that when planning systems rely on limited perspectives, gaps can emerge in both opportunities and workplace structures.

“When datasets reflect limited perspectives, gaps emerge in systems and opportunities,” Jaiswal said.

According to her, greater inclusion across planning, operations and leadership can significantly improve the way organisations function.

“Inclusion in planning, operations, and leadership brings broader insights, strengthens risk management, and builds safer, more equitable workplaces,” she said.