In India, most people associate the words ‘leaders’ and ‘leadership’ with men. Years of patriarchal systems and gender norms that have frequently marginalised women have led leadership to be viewed as a man’s job. Despite the fact that our past is replete with remarkable female leaders, such as Savitribai Phule and Rani Gaidinliu, their names are rarely mentioned in casual leadership discussions unless we are talking about ‘women’ leaders in particular.
Savitribai Phule defied 19th-century societal norms to open India’s first school for girls. At a time when educating women was deemed ‘unnatural’, she didn’t just teach — she trained women from oppressed communities to lead, thereby turning classrooms into revolutions. Her work for widows and Dalits wasn’t charity; it was visionary, delivered through radical empathy.
On the other hand, Rani Gaidinliu was the Naga spiritual leader who united clans against British rule through guerrilla warfare. Her leadership wasn’t just strategic — it was deeply communal, rooted in the trust of her people. Despite being pioneers themselves, the erasure of their leadership stories from mainstream narratives is a systemic reflection of how society equates leadership with masculinity.
Why Feminine Leadership Remains Invisible
Strong leadership is sometimes confused by society with qualities that are typically associated with men and masculine traits, such as independence, strength, and decisiveness. At the same time, traits like empathy, teamwork, and justice are sometimes written off as excessively sentimental and feminine. However, if we examine India’s rich history, we will discover that community development and compassion have been equally effective in advancing people. These antiquated beliefs only became more pronounced after independence as business culture and male-dominated politics developed. The fact that only 8% of Indian CEOs and 14% of corporate board members are women reflects the widespread, unconscious belief that women are not suited for leadership roles.
Feminine Leadership: What Is It?
Feminine leadership isn’t about rejecting traditional traits like authority or decisiveness. It’s about harmonising them with empathy, collaboration, and long-term thinking. At its core, feminine leadership is that which:
- Pays close attention: Genuinely comprehends the needs of the community and team.
- Works together to solve problems: Decides by discussion as opposed to directives from above.
- Does not leave anyone behind: Ensures that every voice is heard and valued.
- Is based on long-term thinking: Strikes a balance between the need for advancement and concern for people and the environment.
Instead of adhering to the outdated notion that a leader needs to be harsh and independent, this new strategy emphasises developing trust, encouraging creativity, and bringing about change from within. Research even indicates that women-led teams are 25% more likely to be innovative and profitable.
Women Leaders Changing the Game
Here are some examples of extraordinary women leaders who have dismantled the outdated stereotypes and crafted a bold new blueprint for leadership in modern India:
Ela Bhatt:
Ela is a committed social worker and lawyer who has devoted her life to advocating for the rights of independent women. She united millions of women by establishing SEWA, demonstrating the power of collaborative, trust-based leadership in empowering communities.
Kamala Bhasin:
Kamala Bhasin, feminist icon and poet, revolutionised gender justice with her rallying cry, ‘Aurat ka naara – azadi/Bachchon ka naara – azadi/Hum leke rahenge – azadi/Hai pyara naara – azadi’ (Women’s slogan – azadi, children’s slogan – azadi, what a lovely slogan – azadi). Founder of Jagori, she ignited grassroots feminism across India, bridging rural and urban struggles, while co-founding Sangat, a South Asian network uniting activists. Under her leadership, she united voices to spark transformative change in the fields of gender, justice and communities.
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw:
Kiran is a remarkable visionary who has revolutionised leadership by fusing compassion and creativity. Her ‘compassionate capitalism’ has earned her recognition for promoting accessible healthcare and opening doors for women in business. Her research on inexpensive insulin is a shining example of how social good can be achieved through scientific achievement.
Rajkumari Amrit Kaur:
Rajkumari Amrit Kaur pioneered public health as India’s first health minister. She played a key role in creating an organisation like AIIMS and changing healthcare policy by promoting inclusive decision-making and proving the value of community involvement and engagement in healthcare.
Dr. Ritu Karidhal:
Dr. Ritu Karidhal, celebrated as the ‘Rocket Woman of India’, is a senior ISRO scientist and key architect of India’s Mars Orbiter Mission — a historic feat that reached Mars on its maiden attempt. Renowned for her pioneering leadership and problem-solving acumen in navigating complex space challenges, she shattered glass ceilings in a male-dominated field, emerging as a beacon for girls aspiring for STEM-related fields.
Shabana Azmi:
Legendary actress and Padma Shri recipient, Shabana Azmi, has leveraged cinema as a weapon against social injustice. As co-founder of Nivara Hakk and Mijwan Welfare Society, she has also transformed rural uplift and urban justice into action. She has challenged norms both on-screen and off-screen, drawing on her stardom to advocate for women’s rights, housing for slum dwellers, and religious harmony.
Sudha Murthy:
Kindness is the cornerstone of Sudha’s leadership. She has constructed clinics and schools in rural areas through her work with the Infosys Foundation, demonstrating the enormous impact that a compassionate, community-focused approach can have.
Also read: Leadership Stories of Indian Women in the Social Sector
Why Feminine Leadership Matters
Everyone benefits when women take the lead. Businesses led by women are typically more creative and successful. Additionally, women leaders frequently place a high priority on sustainability, health, and education — areas that have the power to improve entire communities. Furthermore, a leadership approach based on diversity and empathy not only improves workplaces but also encourages young girls to pursue their dreams.
Another widespread misconception is that only women are capable of exercising feminine leadership. Ideally, all leaders — male or female — need to uphold the fundamental principles of empathy, teamwork, and collective development. Just like conventional leadership places a strong emphasis on authority and decisiveness, feminine traits should be emphasised too, resulting in a more well-rounded, successful strategy — the ideal yin to the yang.
Conclusion: Leadership as a Collective Journey
True leadership is about lifting others as you lead. From Savitribai’s classrooms to Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw’s labs, India’s female leaders show us that progress thrives when we pair courage with care, ambition with allyship, and vision with vulnerability. It is time to dismantle systems that equate leadership with dominance and rigidity. Let us redefine success by the number of voices we amplify, the barriers we break, and the futures we nurture. The future belongs not to hierarchies of power, but to spaces where every leader can thrive by embracing empathy, equity, and shared humanity.
About the Author
Jasmine Saha is a dynamic professional with five years of experience in data analytics and the social sector. She began her career as a senior business analyst, specialisng in automation and process building. Driven by a passion for impact, she joined Teach For India, where she worked on grassroots education reform and piloted a STEM learning project in schools. Jasmine thrives in cross-functional, fast-paced environments and is deeply interested in education and social innovation. Originally from Kolkata, she enjoys exploring new places, cuisines, and cultures.
