The distribution of gender in various corporate functions can vary widely, and it’s essential to note that gender representation is changing over time. Traditionally, certain functions or industries have had a higher proportion of women, while others have been more male-dominated.
However, these trends are evolving, and there’s a growing emphasis on gender equality in the workplace. Historically, some functions that have had higher female representation include:
- Human Resources (HR)
- Marketing and Communications
- Public Relations (PR)
- Administration and Support Roles
- Education and Training
And there have been certain corporate functions and industries that traditionally have had a higher proportion of male representation. However, it’s crucial to recognize that these patterns are subject to change, and there is a growing emphasis on diversity and inclusion across all sectors.
Here are some functions that have historically been more male-dominated-
- Information Technology (IT) and Engineering
- Finance and Investment Banking
- Operations and Logistics
- Construction and Manufacturing
- Information Security (Cybersecurity)
- Leadership and Executive Positions
HR Leaders Responses
SightsIn Plus team reached out to a few HR leaders on LinkedIn with the question “Why more women in Human Resources (HR)?” and the responses as below;
In response to “Why more women in HR”, Arunima Mohanty, Head- Human Resources, Sona Comstar-Driveline Business said, “The standard notion is women are better suited to handle the conflicts and problems that an HR workforce tends to face.”
“However, besides the gender biases, the real HR skill set needed in today’s technology-focused era is the ability towards a Data-driven approach, establishing HR Metrics linear alignment with organizational strategy. Talent holding the right combination of human, business, and technology skillsets are the right fit for the job.” She added.
Commenting on this question, George Varghese M, Chief Human Resources Officer, Shahi Exports said, “It’s a long-term anomaly getting corrected. Working outside the home was a male bastion till 30 years back and now the opposite sex is just reclaiming their rightful place.”
“Naturally, it is easier to fill support roles than core & leadership roles hence HR has an overwhelming presence now. Real D&I is when the boards are also equally represented….”, he added.
Usha Chirayil, Senior Director- Human Resources at Reflections Info Systems told to SightsIn Plus, “Some of the HR leaders from whom I learnt the most were gentlemen. That said, I did notice in a large conference room of HR team members in one large IT organization, that 80 percent were women.”
“Possibly the perceived feminine leadership traits of empathy, coaching, managing conflicts, and offering a balanced view come in handy in several HR roles like managing talent, employee relations, leadership development, and coaching, etc. Hence many women are drawn to roles that maximize utilizing innate strengths.” She added.
“However with training and adequate exposure, an equal number of fresh graduate women aspire for technical and marketing roles. One size doesn’t fit all.” she further added.
Abhay Kapoor, CHRO and Renowned HR Thought Leader said, “Do we need to have any gender preference in any function? True Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are when preferences are eliminated and equal opportunity is provided purely based on merit, competency, and potential.”
“More females in HR seems to be an outcome of more females showing interest in HR field and believe me, females are more deserving to get more slots on merit and passion for HR without any biases. Let’s not make any perception and practice merit-based hiring in all functions and roles” he added.
Responding to the question, Harini Sreenivasan, Partner at Semcostyle Institute India LLP said, Thanks for bringing this up. My take on it is that most vocations were male-dominated simply because providing for the family happened to be the man’s role.”
“Gender otherwise has no real role to play. If we think deeply, gender is not even a criteria for any vocation or profession. Skill, stamina, and interest alone matter. If HR is seen as female-dominated, we need to change our lens both as practitioners and as employers.” she added.
Dr. Sanjeev Kumarr Dixit, Chief Human Resources Officer, Jindal Shadeed Iron and Steel said, “This is a non-issue and irrelevant whether for HR or any other function. “
“The point to ponder is to have a credible and consistent impact on business & people purely on merit irrespective of gender or any other demographics parameters,” he added.
Final Words
Women have historically dominated Human Resources (HR) due to societal expectations aligning with their perceived strengths in interpersonal skills, empathy, and communication. HR roles often involve managing relationships, resolving conflicts, and fostering a positive workplace culture, qualities associated with traditional gender norms.
As workplaces evolve and prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion, efforts are underway to ensure a more balanced representation in HR.
Recognizing the value of diverse perspectives, organizations are actively working towards creating inclusive environments, breaking away from traditional gender roles, and promoting equal opportunities for all individuals in HR and across various professional fields.
