Sujata Chitalwala, Principal Designer and co-founder of Designers Group.

How does your workplace embrace equality?

As a female designer myself, we make a conscious effort to hire people on the basis of their merit and not their gender. This approach promotes an inclusive and welcoming work environment that benefits everyone. To cultivate a culture that values work ethics and creativity, it’s essential to foster open and honest communication. By doing so, we can work towards building a more equitable and collaborative workplace.

As a woman, how do you make sure that you embrace equality? When you are the decision maker how do you make sure you are not gender-biased?

Design in itself has its own language and not based on gender. Although understanding the concept of gender equality and its significance in society is of utmost importance but in such creative fields,it is one’s work, ideas put forward and their skills that takes the centrestage irrespective of gender. This helps to mitigate the effects of any unconscious biases and ensures that all voices are heard. In addition, seeking feedback from team members can provide valuable insights on one’s standing within the team and help prevent decisions that may be influenced by gender bias.

Do you believe that gender inclusive policies are justified with an increasing number of women in the industry while still not being a 50% strength or close?

It is important to note that gender diversity is not just a matter of equity and fairness, but it can also have positive effects on organizational performance and innovation. Research has shown that diverse teams, including gender diversity, can lead to better decision-making, increased creativity, and higher profitability.

Therefore, incorporating gender-inclusive policies, such as offering equal pay, flexible work arrangements, and opportunities for career growth, is not just a moral imperative, but can also have significant advantages for the organization. Working towards narrowing the gender gap and fostering a more diverse and inclusive workplace is imperative for ensuring equal opportunities for all.

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