Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently urged young women to rethink the role of patriarchy in limiting their ambitions, emphasising that India offers unique support systems for women to succeed. “Don’t get carried away by fantastic jargons like ‘patriarchy stopping us," she stated during an interactive session with students in Bengaluru.
"If you are able to stand up for yourself and speak logically, patriarchy cannot stop women, certainly not in a country like India.” Encouraging young women to assert themselves confidently in professional and public spaces, she highlighted the progress made by women across generations.
Citing examples of Indian women who broke barriers, Sitharaman pointed to historical and contemporary figures such as former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, freedom fighters like Aruna Asaf Ali and Sarojini Naidu, and ISRO’s female scientists. “Which patriarchy stopped these scientists here?” she questioned, urging women to recognise their own potential. While acknowledging that challenges persist, she argued that focusing solely on patriarchy might obscure the opportunities available, adding, “What patriarchy is stopping you today?”
Is Patriarchy Just Jargon?
Not everyone agrees. RinTchen Kang, Chief Customer Officer at Leo Technosoft, believes patriarchy remains a significant barrier for women. “The fact that we can only mention a handful of names when it comes to women achievers shows that patriarchy is not a figment of our imagination but deeply ingrained in many societies,” she argues.
With over 20 years in sales, a traditionally male-dominated field, Kang explains that women face systemic challenges, including stereotypical gender roles, limited access to opportunities, unequal pay, and work-life balance conflicts in high-pressure environments. Sales roles, particularly in India, are often associated with “masculine” qualities, requiring extensive travel, long hours, and high-stakes negotiations. In her experience, women are frequently relegated to “back-office” or “soft sales” roles, where they play supportive roles instead of handling direct client interactions.
“Soft Sales” and Gender Stereotyping
Gender stereotypes often lead to women being steered towards “soft sales” rather than direct client interactions, limiting their exposure to high-stakes roles. Kang notes that even when women break into sales, they encounter pay disparities. “In sales, compensation is performance-based, but gender biases lead to women being assigned fewer high-value accounts or territories, thus limiting their potential earnings,” she explains.
The Gender Pay Gap and “Invisible” Glass Ceilings
Pay disparities in sales are not solely due to gender discrimination but also reflect the undervaluation of women’s contributions. Kang recalls instances where team members expressed surprise at her performance, simply because she was a woman. The glass ceiling effect, she adds, is particularly prominent for women with family responsibilities. “In India, women are typically expected to manage both professional and domestic duties, which creates a work-life conflict,” she explains, contrasting this with male colleagues who are celebrated for balancing both.
The Double Burden of Work and Home Responsibilities
Sales roles demand long hours, travel, and intense commitment, which can clash with caregiving expectations placed on women. “While men in the industry can focus solely on work, women are expected to balance career ambitions with caregiving roles,” Kang explains, emphasising how this “dual burden” can hinder women’s progress in sales careers.
Patriarchal Standards of Professionalism
In addition to role and pay disparities, Kang believes that women face higher standards of professionalism, especially regarding appearance, with deviations often subject to criticism. These gendered expectations create additional challenges and reinforce traditional stereotypes. She stresses that while shifts have occurred in recent years, with more women entering and rising through sales ranks, there is a pressing need for change. “Industries, society, and families must do more to address these challenges and educate the next generation,” she concludes.
The Road Ahead
While Sitharaman’s comments spark an important discussion on the limitations of focusing solely on patriarchy, Kang’s insights highlight that gender barriers remain deeply embedded within professional structures. For India to truly embrace women’s potential in all fields, it will require not only individual resilience but also systemic changes that address unequal pay, role segregation, and support for work-life balance.
Both perspectives underscore a dual reality for women in India today: undeniable progress, but significant hurdles yet to be overcome.
Mamta Sharma is a freelance journalist committed to sharing stories on talent management, DEIB, workplace culture alongside narratives on leadership, entrepreneurship, tech innovation and employee wellbeing.
