Gender-Inclusive Innovation: Why India's Tech Industry Must Design for Her Too

On my way back to my rented apartment from the office, I often stop at a signal on the expressway. One evening, as I waited for the red light to change, I noticed something: at least 20 women on scooters zipped by, probably heading home from work like me. It struck me how a simple technology two-wheeler, has quietly enabled the economic participation of thousands of women in urban India. But it’s not just about scooters. This observation reveals a deeper truth: when tech design responds to the real-world needs of diverse users especially women, it doesn’t just sell better, it also empowers them.

In the case of two wheelers, design has changed over time in terms of lower height, automatic transmission and lighter weight have made them more accessible to women. Earlier, two-wheelers were designed with a 'macho' aesthetic, prioritizing male consumers. But the rising presence of women in the workforce forced manufacturers to innovate, resulting in practical, user-friendly vehicles that many women now rely on for mobility, independence, and safety.

This is just one example of why gender diversity in innovation isn’t a luxury but a necessity. Yet, India’s tech industry remains male-dominated. While women make up 36% of India’s IT workforce, they occupy less than 10% of leadership roles and are starkly underrepresented in emerging sectors like AI and climate tech (NASSCOM, 2023). The result? Technologies that ignore half the population’s needs. From medical trials excluding female bodies to agricultural tools designed without considering the women who actually use them, the consequences of these blind spots can be easily observed.

Why Gender Diversity Matters in Innovation Industry

Technology is not neutral. It is shaped by the values, perspectives, and experiences of its creators. If those creators are overwhelmingly male, the resulting products often cater primarily to male needs. Feminist theorists like Judy Wajcman have long pointed out that drawing more women into technology design is not only about equity—it’s about shaping a world that reflects all its inhabitants.

A McKinsey study (2020) found that gender-diverse teams are more innovative and create more inclusive products. Sasha Costanza-Chock’s concept of “design justice” also reinforces that participatory design processes, especially those that centre marginalised voices, lead to better outcomes. There is ample evidence that diverse and inclusive companies are likely to make better, bolder decisions—a critical capability in the crisis. For example, diverse teams have been shown to be more likely to radically innovate and anticipate shifts in consumer needs and consumption patterns—helping their companies to gain a competitive edge.

In India, this couldn’t be more urgent. In health care, products have historically ignored conditions unique to women. In agriculture, despite rising feminisation of the workforce, machinery and tools remain ergonomically inappropriate for women. Without inclusive teams at the drawing board, such gaps will persist.

There is ample evidence that diverse and inclusive companies are likely to make better, bolder decisions—a critical capability in the crisis. For example, diverse teams have been shown to be more likely to radically innovate and anticipate shifts in consumer needs and consumption patterns—helping their companies to gain a competitive edge.

As Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, founder of Biocon, rightly asserts, we need more women at the leadership level not only to achieve gender equity but also because women bring unique insights to problem-solving.

Cases of Women’s Leadership in Health Tech and Agri-Tech Innovation.

Breast cancer has been a detrimental disease particular to women affecting millions of them globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in every 12 women have the risk of a breast abnormality. Early diagnosis is very critical to decrease mortality rates. But very little focus in the medical industry was given rather they focus on cancer types that effects the male counterparts more. Niramai is one such example of how women leadership in tech industry creates solutions that address systemic gaps hitherto unnoticed. Geetha Manjunath, founder and CEO, has been a guiding force behind developing technical solutions integrating AI / machine learning in early detection of breast cancer. This AI based thermal imaging for breast cancer screening is non-invasive, privacy friendly, and accessible in rural areas. Its design teams have recognized the discomfort and stigma many women feel about traditional screening methodologies and designed this equipment accordingly.

Perceptions and past experiences can also be a leading force behind a creative innovation. One such great force is Sheena Gill. She joined healthcare AI startup CognitiveCare in 2020 to solve challenges of maternal and infant child health. Spurred by Sheena Gill’s personal journey, she has been a guiding force in leveraging AI to predict 48 maternal and infant health risks. The very design is rooted in female lived experiences. Sheena herself suffered with miscarriages in her past.

Considering women at the centre of design systems in technology creates new solutions and pathways which leads to women empowerment as well. The rising female participation in agriculture is another such aspect which requires urgent technological solutions. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimates that women contribute 43% to the global agriculture workforce. Despite this dual burden of household responsibilities and farm work limits their time and productivity in agricultural fields. Agri-tech can potentially transform agricultural systems at farm-level and macro gains (WEF, 2024).

Technological solutions can potentially address the systemic barriers to active woman participation in agriculture. For example, S4S Technologie, founded by Nidhi Pant, is equipping women farmers in using solar dehydration technologies to reduce food waste and add value at source, thus boosting their incomes and cutting post-harvest losses. Such technologies not only enhance productivity but also presents sustainable alternatives to the existing traditional methods in agriculture. NAMO Drone Didi scheme is one such government intervention which is integrating the technological innovations to solve real life women problems. The agriculture extension programmes must keep this in mind and should cater to the women farmer needs in specific.

Conclusion: Designing for Her is Designing for All

Inclusive innovation isn’t just about representation alone it’s about relevance, reach, and resilience. When women lead, the scope of innovation expands to address needs that have long been overlooked. Whether it’s Dr. Geetha Manjunath's AI-driven breast cancer screening, Sheena Gill’s maternal health analytics, or Nidhi Pant’s Agri-tech for women farmers, these examples show that technologies shaped by women don’t just serve women—they serve society more effectively.

India stands at a pivotal moment. As we build the next generation of technologies in AI, health, climate, and agriculture, ensuring women are not just users but also designers and decision-makers is crucial. Gender-inclusive innovation must be seen not as a niche requirement, but as a core driver of equitable development.

If we want smarter, more responsive, and impactful technology—then yes, India’s tech industry must design for her too.

References

1) World Economic Forum. (2024, December). Agritech for women farmers: A business case for inclusive growth (Insight Report). https://www.weforum.org/

2) Costanza-Chock, S. (2020). Design justice: Community-led practices to build the worlds we need. MIT Press.

3) Wajcman, J. (2010). Feminist theories of technology. Cambridge Journal of Economics, 34(1), 143–152.

4) YourStory. (2022, April 13). How Sheena Gill is leading efforts in reducing maternal and infant mortality at CognitiveCare. https://yourstory.com/herstory/2022/04/sheena-gill-president-cognitivecare-healthcare-women-startup

5) McKinsey & Company. (2020). Diversity wins: How inclusion matters. McKinsey & Company. https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/diversity-wins-how-inclusion-matters

6) NASSCOM. (2023). Women and IT sector in India — Progress and roadblocks.

7) Manjunath, G. (2021). AI-powered breast cancer screening in India: The NIRAMAI experience. WHO & TechCrunch.

8) YourStory. (2024). India’s women in tech: Breaking barriers and building the future.

9) Economic Times. (2024). How women are changing India’s startup ecosystem.