More than 61% of women in India seem to believe they are more secure in their jobs and have better career prospects despite the current economic downturn. Compared to this, only 56% of men seem to believe so. Working professionals in another developing country —Brazil— seem to feel more secure, shows a global survey by consulting major Accenture ahead of the International Women’s Day on March 8.

Despite the downturn, 89% of respondents in India vis-à-vis 79% of global respondents are confident in their ability to deal with difficult or challenging situations. Almost seven in ten women in India believe they are successful in their careers notwithstanding the fact that almost an equal number of them believe they are insufficiently challenged or stretched at the work place with greater responsibility, a global survey by consulting major Accenture has shown.

Not surprisingly then, in several countries, including India, women were more likely than men to report that they regularly ask their superiors for new challenges while interestingly, it is the men overall who are likely to say they have asked for pay raises from their bosses. A higher number of Indian women (66%), compared to the 54% globally, believed they were insufficiently challenged even though 81% of them expressed confidence in their skills and capabilities.

The research study ‘Untapped Potential: Stretching toward the Future’ surveyed 3,600 professionals from medium to large organisations in 18 countries between November and December last year. Also not surprisingly, about 62% of women are working harder to differentiate themselves from their colleagues against 47% of men clocking more hours to stand out of the herd.

The challenging economy has also led business professionals, particularly in emerging markets to expand their skill sets and stretch roles in order to remain competitive. In India, 62% of men are developing new skills as compared to 75% of women. The study was conducted in November and December among 3,600 professionals from medium-size to large companies in 18 countries in India, Europe, Asia, Americas and Africa, among others.

Accenture India executive vice-president (India geographic services, human capital and diversity) Rekha M Menon said, “ it is the economic growth which is allowing Indian men and women to be competitive and remain confident even during the economic crisis.” Overall, 59% of India men and women are still optimistic of career growth in the current environment, just behind Brazil at 66%. Work-life balance is a top priority for Indian women. They don’t seem to enjoy the prospects of travelling on work. Women professionals lag behind their male counterparts in agility, a parameter defined as willingness to relocate to another country, role versatility and stretching beyond comfort zone.  

The findings reveal that only 65% are ready to stretch beyond their comfort zone as compared to 75% men. Only 50% women as against 55% men are ready to sacrifice work-life balance in order to advance in career.

Also, mere 58% women executive would consider relocating to another country if required to advance their career compared to their male counterpart at 68%, mentioned the study. “This trend can have negative impact on women considering the current discontinuous situation.” She added that though women are confident in the current scenario and are stretching themselves at work, they are not willing to advance their career beyond the current location and work extra hours which could have implications on career advancements,” said Menon.

Women are found to be as ambitious as their male counterparts as far as work competitiveness is concerned. Accenture managing director (human capital and diversity) Armelle Carminati- Rabasse said, “Women are continuously stretching themselves at work and have more to give if asked and inspired correctly.”