INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Diversification is the cornerstone of sound investment management, and yet diversity remains largely absent from the investment industry
Women investment professionals hold a mere 11 per cent of C-suite positions, according to the CFA Institute Gender Diversity in Investment
In most financial firms, women are a minority of employees and that's bad for customers because women make excellent investors
indicates that gender diverse companies deliver better returns with lower volatility for investors
Efforts to reduce gender inequality in the workplace are important for another reason - as more women participate in the workforce, the
quality of output and decisions improve
More female executives could transform the industry because they will bring new perspectives and turn old investment strategies inside out
Innovative thinking will spark new and unique solutions
People tend to decide on a career in investment in early adulthood
More than 80 per cent of CFA Institute members surveyed made their choice before the age of 26
Not enough young women choose finance, and those that do are less likely to hold executive positions
Both pipeline and progression require attention
Young women need mentoring and support to understand how to make finance a lasting career.CFA institute has made strides with its Women in
Investment Management Initiative that aims to improve investor outcomes by encouraging gender diversity in the investment management
The India-first Young Women in Investment initiative is designed to create awareness about investment management, and enable young women to
view the investment management industry as a viable long-term career option
A four-week boot camp followed by a paid internship with sector leaders is making the industry more accessible to young women
The initiative has been a remarkable success due to the support of many from the investment industry - the institutions, industry leaders
and universities."The finance and investment industry is not restricted to finance students and graduates
And, the industry particularly needs women from diverse educational backgrounds," says Paul Smith, CFA, president and CEO, CFA
Institute.Even when women do choose investment management as a career, cultural factors play a role in restricting female participation
Indian women bear primary responsibility for homemaking and childcare
This unfairly affects their work-life balance
An environment that is not conducive means fewer women make it to the higher reaches of the industry and that impedes investment firms from
achieving their full potential.Institutions need to join hands to create an enabling environment that allows women to explore their true
potential, and this is especially true for a country like India
India's workforce must be reflective of the diversity that exists within its population
Fast-growing industry segments such as finance are a storehouse of opportunities
Only when women take their place in the economy will the true potential of the country be unleashed.CFA institute bears the responsibility
of the accuracy and completeness of the above article.Disclaimer: This is an advertorial and TheIndianSubcontinent is not responsible for
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