“New technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics can create a level-playing field, giving women as much advantage as their male counterparts,” said N Lakshmi Narayanan, Vice-Chairman Emeritus, Cognizant Technology Solutions, here on Tuesday.

Speaking at a panel discussion — ‘Power of Parity: Advancing Women’s Equality’ — organised by the Madras Management Association (MMA), Narayanan said, 72 per cent of certified drone flyers in Europe and the US are women which points to the opportunities that will be available for them in future.

“While 47 per cent of graduates in technology are women, only 27 per cent join the workforce,” he added.

He also said that gender parity in workforce cannot be achieved merely through reservations or quota.

“The most basic of all enablers for women’s participation in workforce is ‘flexibility’ which currently has 23 flavours such as part time, flexi-time, telecommuting, E-working, standard working hours and so on,” said Saundarya Rajesh, Founder-President, Avtar Group.

Rajesh said organisations that provide flexible work space can see a dramatic change in their performance and competitiveness.

“Flexibility is the oxygen of women’s career,” he added.

Commitment from senior management is a must-have feature to achieve gender diversity in workforce and it should be supported by enablers such as women intake, flexibility, extensive training and creating safe and sensitive workplace, said Prashanth Vasu, Partner, McKinsey & Company.

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