Gender Disparity in Business - Over 50% of business graduates were women in 2024, but only 10% of Fortune 500 CEO positions were held by women [1] - Only 2% of capital venture funding worldwide goes to women at startups, and this number drops below 1% for women of color [1] - The system pushes women to the sides and holds them back due to structures, policies, and the way the system works [1] - Women are often subjected to biased performance reviews and interview questions related to family plans [2] - Girls are often praised for being nice and quiet, while boys are praised for being bold and confident, leading to internalized pressure [2] Solutions for Systemic Change - Redefine leadership to value empathy, collaboration, and emotional intelligence as strengths [3] - Rebuild hiring practices to eliminate bias based on family plans or personal appearance [3] - Create workplaces where women and all underrepresented groups feel safe, valued, and heard [4] - Encourage girls to speak up, take risks, and normalize failure, while encouraging boys to value fairness and equality [4] - Support women in everyday life, recognizing the multiple expectations placed on them, especially in cultures like India [5] Examples of Successful Women - The speaker's aunt started working at 16, eventually owning multiple spa branches and hiring other women [6][7][8] - Falguni Nayar founded Nykaa at 50, becoming the biggest beauty brand in India [8] - Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw founded Biocon in her garage and became a biopharmaceutical pioneer [9] - Whitney Wolfe Herd created Bumble to empower women to make the first move [9] - Rihanna built Fenty Beauty to represent all skin tones, addressing the issue of exclusion [9]