Name: Shivinder Phoolka
Country: India

Year: 2022
Volume: Volume-9, Issue-1 (January-June)
Page Number: 31-42

This study explores the lived experiences of women professionals in the Indian banking sector, focusing on the structural, social, and personal barriers that affect their career progression. Despite policy reforms and increasing female workforce participation, women remain underrepresented in senior management roles. Through a qualitative phenomenological approach, this research captures rich narrative accounts from 30 women employed across public and private sector banks in India. Data were collected via in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis method supported by ATLAS.ti software. The study identifies critical impediments such as gender-based discrimination, inadequate mentorship, rigid work structures, and exclusion from informal leadership networks. Simultaneously, it reveals enabling factors like supportive supervisors, internal training, and family encouragement. Sectoral comparisons indicate that public-sector banks exhibit higher rigidity and gender bias than private institutions. By filling a gap in existing literature—which predominantly relies on quantitative or policy-based evaluations—this study offers nuanced, context-rich insights into the intersection of gender, leadership, and institutional culture. The findings underscore the urgent need for structured mentorship, transparent promotion criteria, and gender-sensitive policy execution. This research contributes to broader discourses on workplace equality and directly supports Sustainable Development Goal 5 by advocating for inclusive leadership pathways and systemic reforms in the Indian financial services sector.
Keywords: gender equality, women in banking, leadership, India, career progression, qualitative research