On International Women’s Day 2024, Madhumita Agrawal, Founder and CEO of Oben Electric noted that the Indian auto industry faces a critical challenge: a significant lack of female representation, particularly in leadership positions. This is not just an ethical concern, she said, but it also hinders the industry's potential for innovation and growth.
With less than 3% of CXO roles in India's top 11 auto companies held by women and an 11% salary gap persisting, Deloitte highlights the need for change. However, positive signs are emerging. Educational outreach programmes are inspiring young women to pursue careers in STEM fields, including automotive engineering, addressing the gender gap from the ground up. Additionally, many auto companies are embracing the strategic value of diversity. They recognise that gender-balanced teams foster innovation and creativity, leading to breakthroughs in product development and business strategies, she argued.
She further noted that the advocacy for safe and inclusive work environments is also gaining traction, ensuring equal opportunities and protection for all employees. “Having said that, we need to emphasise the importance of merit. Women need to be deserving of the positions they seek, bringing the necessary skills, experience, and value to the table on par with their peers. Selection should be based on qualifications and merit, not solely on gender,” said Madhumita Agrawal.
Madhumita is a serial entrepreneur and the Co-founder of Oben Electric, an electric 2-wheeler motorcycle start-up in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Madhumita holds a Biotech Engineering degree from BPUT and an LLB from IIT Kharagpur, along with an MBA degree from IIM Bangalore.
Oben Electric is an R&D-driven electric motorcycle organisation founded in August 2020 and headquartered in Bengaluru. Oben Electric specialises in designing, developing, and manufacturing performance electric motorcycles and its critical EV components in-house, here in India.