On an average, one in every five employees of Swedish companies in India is a woman. And now, their CEOs are discussing how to increase the number of women in their workforce.
Representatives from Alfa Laval, Coesia, De Laval, Hoganas, Josab, Nexus Technology, Tapflo, Tieto and Sandvik attended a roundtable hosted here earlier this week by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce India (SCCI) in partnership with the Swedish Consulate General in Mumbai.
Among the topics discussed were: knowledge sharing on advancing gender equality, issues that affect recruitment, retention strategies to overcome unconscious bias in promotion policy and practices.
According to the Business Climate Survey 2015/16 conducted by the SCCI, eight of 10 Swedish companies in India ensure gender diversity.
“Ensuring diversity not only makes good business sense, but in the context of India it helps elevate an entire family,” said Parag Satpute, Vice-Chairperson, SCCI, and Country Manager, Sandvik Asia.
Fredrika Ornbrant, Consul General of Sweden in Mumbai, said: “A devoted top management is crucial for encouraging women into workplace and leadership positions. I’m optimistic that this start of exchange of experiences at the top will eventually lead to more women into Swedish companies.”