Startups may have ushered in a new kind of workspace but one that is not free of the primitive vice of sexism. Women entrepreneurs weigh in
(Left to right): Ruchita Dar Shah, founder, First Moms Club; Priyanka Agarwal, CEO, Wishberry.in and author Rashmi Bansal (far right) at a discussion on sexism and startups moderated by Meghna Pant (in white)
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Even our months, India has witnessed significant instances of sexual harassment involving startup founders, seed funders, angel investors — top of mind being TVF founder Arunabh Kumar having to step down following charges of sexual harassment. One doesn't even need to consider extremes like sexual exploitation; sexism is rampant in ample instances of "manterrupting" and "mansplaining" to being ignored in meetings, just because one is a woman. Last week, SheThePeople.TV., a video storytelling space centred around women entrepreneurs, held a panel wherein some prominent women entrepreneurs shared their insights on the subject.
The reason behind opening the dialogue, says Shailee Chopra, founder, SheThePeople.TV., is to understand why the startup space, otherwise free-spirited, remains saddled with this problem.
Devita Saraf, Founder of VU
Everyday sexism
"Even mansplaining is a form of sexism, because that person is shutting your voice. Being ignored in a meeting, despite being a core member is harassment," says Chopra. At the panel, Ruchita Dar Shah, founder of First Moms Club, an app that connects mothers across the world, recalled instances of being asked by investors about the "male co-founder".
Tiding over the patriarchal mindset of investors has been di rigueur for female startup founders. Devita Saraf, founder of luxury smart television brand VU, launched it when she was only 24. "People follow visual stereotypes. They will assume that the older man in the room is the boss. So, it takes them a while to digest that, no, it is the young woman in the room calling the shots. Initially, most of them thought I was in the business to while away time till I got married," says the 36-year-old whose family founded Zenith Computers. Saraf has had dealers turn down her salesmen. "Their reasoning was, she's a Marwari, eventually she'll marry and her company will shut down. Then, where will we get spare parts?" she says with a laugh. "Initially, these things would appall me. But, I never second-guessed my abilities. I have been the boss for most of my adult life. I think more women need to see themselves as the boss. It is not upon the person across the table to accept you the way you want them to. Your sense of self-worth will rub off on them," says the Harvard Business School graduate.
Sabina Chopra, who co-founded Yatra.com in 2006 along with two male partners, has not had to face sexism from her investors. "Perhaps I got lucky. Also, nowadays, a lot of small companies are into funding. In 2005-2006, there was no startup culture. The investors were big guys, with presence abroad as well. They had a certain culture. I was questioned about my abilities as a businessperson, not as a female businessperson," says the 51-year-old who quit Yatra two months ago to join Wyndham Worldwide. As someone who has been both an entrepreneur and an employee, Sabina feels sexism has several expressions we deem normal. "When the HR asks a married woman if she plans to have a family, or a mother, if she'll take sick leave should her children fall ill — that's sexism. When I was handling hotels for Yatra, my vendors couldn't get over that I would be home for only five days a month. 'Don't you have trouble managing your home?', they'd ask. And, these vendors were five-star hoteliers."
Tiding over
Deep rooted as the vice of sexism is, sometimes it can be used as an opportunity, says Saraf. "Recently, a dealer did not acknowledge me in a meeting. Initially, I was upset. My sales team members suggested I terminate business with him. But I want him to know what it's like to do business with a female CEO. Some day, he might want to groom his daughter into becoming a businesswoman. And, I see it happening too. There are about 20,000 people who are directly impacted by my company. I see my employees starting to educate their daughters, sending them in as interns. So, you diffuse sexism through self-belief."
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