The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a new advisory urging stakeholders in the aviation sector to increase the participation of women. As per the new advisory, the aviation workforce should have 25 per cent women by 2025.
This move aligns with the government’s broader efforts to combat gender bias and promote women’s empowerment across the country. Currently, women make up about 5-14 per cent of various roles in India’s aviation industry, with the highest representation among pilots at 14 per cent.
In its advisory to airlines and airports, the DGCA has recommended several measures to monitor and improve gender diversity. Companies are encouraged to:
– Track gender ratios to identify diversity gaps.
– Establish systems to evaluate and track progress in gender diversity.
– Set specific diversity objectives for hiring.
– Ensure equal representation during recruitment.
– Promote women’s representation on various committees and task groups.
– Provide allowances and maternity leave according to prevailing rules.
– Implement a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment at the workplace.
Furthermore, DGCA also advised the stakeholders to introduce leadership and mentorship programmes for women in the organisation, address the issue of stereotypes and gender bias, and promote a better work-life balance for women employees.
The DGCA has also suggested that airlines develop policies allowing cabin crew members opportunities in other technical or operational roles through special cross-functional programmes.
To further support women in aviation, the DGCA advises airlines and airports to analyse exit interviews to improve retention policies, conduct training sessions to raise awareness of gender biases, and develop programmes to rehire women who took breaks for parenting or other lifecycle needs.
These comprehensive measures aim to foster an inclusive and supportive environment for women in India’s aviation sector, helping to build a more diverse and equitable workforce by 2025.
