It’s 2025. The workplace isn’t what it used to be and that’s a good thing. There’s a growing consciousness around diversity, inclusion, and purpose. With Gen Z and Gen Y now making up 70% of the workforce, we’re seeing a shift in expectations. These generations are choosing to work with organizations that walk the talk on values. And yet, the findings from our Marching Sheep Inclusion Index 2025; India’s largest study on DEIB are a wake-up call.
We looked at 840 listed companies across 30 sectors from steel and pharma to banking, FMCG, and IT. It’s one of the most comprehensive deep dives into gender diversity and inclusion in India.
And what we found wasn’t just numbers, it was a mirror.
- 63.45% of companies had zero women in key leadership roles.
- Women make up just 22% of the total workforce, compared to the 28% urban average.
- Yet, companies with stronger gender diversity delivered 50% higher profit after tax (13.5% vs 8.9%).
As someone who’s lived this journey; thrived in sales and manufacturing, worked in remote locations, reached CXO levels; I can tell you: I wasn’t a superwoman. I struggled. I was boxed in by stereotypes and weighed down by well-meaning but unrealistic expectations. And I know I’m not alone.
The data is clear. Inclusion isn’t just good ethics; it’s good business. But despite the evidence, too many women still don’t make it past junior levels. The pipeline leaks long before leadership.
This isn’t about blame. It’s about building better. It’s about asking: What can we do differently?Because inclusion isn’t an HR initiative. It’s a business imperative. It’s not a vertical; it’s woven into every decision, every policy, every interaction. It’s a way of working. A way of being.
So here’s our invitation. To every business, every board, every leader: Let’s move from intention to impact.
- If you’re in HR partner with business, build coaching and growth programs.
- If you’re a CXO look at your leadership team. Does it reflect your workforce and your customers?
- If you’re on the board, go beyond compliance. Inclusion strengthens governance.
And if you lead a team your everyday choices matter. Who you include, who you support, who you listen to these shape your culture.
At Marching Sheep, we’ve always believed inclusion begins with voice, choice, and agency. This year’s Index is a starting point. It’s a chance to sit together and ask: How do we move forward, together? Because inclusion isn’t just a policy. It’s a strategy. It’s about people. And people drive businesses. It’s about culture. And culture is what makes a workplace feel like home.
If you’d like to read the full report or know where your company stands, drop a comment or send me a message. I’d love to share the findings. Let’s build workplaces where everyone belongs.