Intersectionality of gender and other forms of identity : Dilemmas and challenges facing women in India

Purpose – This paper aims to present the challenges facing women in India due to the intersectionality of gender and other forms of identities impacting on their personal and professional lives by exploring the intersection of gender, colour, caste, ethnicity, religion, marital status, and class as sources of discrimination against women in Indian society and workplaces. Design/methodology/approach – The approach is discussing the socio‐cultural traditions leading up to the complexities of multiple intersections of identity for women living and working in India, offering a paradigm shift from Western issues of gender equality towards understanding women's empowerment issues within the Indian context. Findings – Indian women are marginalized in their access to education and healthcare, and they are also compromised in their personal and professional development by being undervalued, underemployed and under‐rewarded. The social implications are the impact of awareness, changing attitudes and corporate social responsibility interventions towards improving the quality of life of women in India. Multinational corporations as well as Indian organizations may be influenced to implement diversity policies and practices beyond individual identities to incorporate the complex intersectionality that is the reality and dilemma of the challenges faced by Indian women in society, in professional careers and within organizations. Originality/value – Readers will find originality and value in understanding the complexities of gender equality issues in India as compared to other countries and contexts. It can inform researchers, academics, practitioners and policy makers on how to address the disparities and discrimination against women and guide comparative discourses between India and other countries towards eliminating discrimination against women.