Sumit is pioneering inspirational 'Sales' Leader and has expertise in Sales Blue Ocean Strategy & B2B Business Development. He is widely known for motivating mentoring-influencing multi functional teams.

Technology today has significantly altered the way we work. Automation backed by Digitalization, AI, and machine learning are simplifying business operations and enabling more women to participate in the workforce. The continuous advancement of technology has opened many doorways for women to access education, find jobs, and even start their own businesses. Additionally, HR technology has expanded the scope of flexible work environments not only for women, but for all genders. With the power to provide equal access to education, healthcare, and career opportunities, technology can break down the glass ceiling impeding women’s progress. Let’s discuss some Technological evolutions that are constantly addressing the unique challenges faced by women in their careers and reinforcing female participation in the corporate workforce.

The continuous advancement of technology has opened many doorways for women to access education, find jobs, & even start their own businesses

Remote Work
As per the data from the World Bank, the participation of women in the Indian workforce has been constantly declining for the past few years. There can be many reasons behind female employees dropping off the workforce, ranging from security concerns to conservatism, but it is important for us to address all such issues for an inclusive economic growth. During the pandemic, it became clear that remote work is a great solution to lower the barriers for women to take up employment. The flexibility of work arrangement lets women regain control over their time and make it easier to manage both their work and other commitments. This perfect blend of life and work balance not only injects freedom inside women but also helps them to lead a balanced, stronger, and more empowered life that paves a way for better outcomes for their personal and professional life. Remote work wouldn’t have been possible without the support of HR technology. New age products like zero touch ATS, remote suites, performance management systems are making it easier for organizations to hire and manage employees working in remote locations. The adoption of HR technology will continue to improve women’s participation in India’s growth story.

Online Networking
Networking plays a significant role when you are running a business or finding a job. Expanding your networks assists you with new prospects, job advancement, personal development, and even learning new skills. Social Networks like LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Reddit are helping the female workforce to build their networks via online groups and communities. These groups are helping the women to find great ideas, resources, support, mentors, investors, and business partners. The female workforce is leveraging these opportunities to build their careers and businesses without leaving their homes.

Career Development Apps
Many career development apps are highly dedicated to the female workforce and help them achieve their full potential. With apt information such as ratings of the companies and employers, current salaries in various industries, and talent benchmarking along with interview tips and, company & career recommendations based on the applicant's profile, these apps help women enter the workforce, re-enter it after a gap, and reach new heights of professional success through various features such as reskilling, training, advanced job searches, net working opportunities and many more.

Mentor Matching Platforms
Mentorship is an essential ingredient to the success of corporate leadership, and its importance remains the same for every sector or field. It has always been a crucial factor in fostering professional growth. Within tech, mentoring fosters women with the necessary tools to reach the pinnacle while connecting them with a community of other women within tech which serve them well as they move forward in their careers. Mentors matching tech platforms are bridging the gap between women entrepreneurs and the guidance they need to succeed in their ventures.

Virtual Childcare
Virtual Childcare is a buzzword, especially in times of post-pandemic where many working mothers are juggling between working from home and caring for their children. This is not only a great challenge for mothers, but also for the children who lose their creativity and potential brain development due to the absence of proper guidance. This is where virtual childcare plays its part. For an agreed period of time, they engage with the children online, play with them, and indulge them in creative activities while teaching them basic chores like their native language, numbers, alphabet, and more, and encourage them to be social. This relieves the working mothers who can work in their home offices, as they know their children are in good hands.

Conclusion
Declining female workforce is a global concern that needs to be addressed on multiple fronts. While social, cultural, and political interventions can make a lot of difference, technology can also play a vital role in easing the entry of women in the workforce. Governments, corporations, and leaders need to know how technology can be leveraged to empower the women workforce, and female workers need to learn how to use various technology tools and products to progress and thrive in their careers.