women leadership

The State Bank of India (SBI), the nation’s largest public sector lender, has unveiled a comprehensive plan to enhance gender diversity across its workforce, with a goal of increasing women’s representation to 30% by 2030. Currently, women comprise about 27% of SBI’s total staff, although they account for roughly one-third (33%) of frontline roles. The bank aims to close this gap over the next five years through targeted initiatives, said Kishore Kumar Poludasu, Deputy Managing Director (HR) and Chief Development Officer (CDO), in an interview with PTI. With over 2.4 lakh employees — the highest in India’s banking sector — SBI’s focus on inclusivity reflects its broader vision of empowering women across all professional levels. “We are committed to fostering a workplace where women thrive, with equal opportunities for leadership and growth,” Poludasu said. To achieve this, the bank has implemented several women-centric policies and programmes. These include a creche allowance for working mothers, family connect initiatives, and training modules designed to help women transition smoothly after maternity, sabbatical, or long medical leaves. A key component of SBI’s diversity strategy is its flagship initiative, ‘Empower Her’, which identifies, mentors, and prepares women for leadership roles through structured coaching and leadership labs. This programme aims to build a strong talent pipeline of women leaders for future executive positions. Addressing health and wellness, the bank has introduced specific programmes such as breast and cervical cancer screenings, nutrition allowances for expectant mothers, and a Cervical Cancer Vaccination Drive. These efforts are part of SBI’s larger goal to promote the physical and emotional well-being of its female workforce. Highlighting inclusivity in action, SBI operates over 340 all-women branches nationwide — a number expected to grow as part of its empowerment drive. Women are now well represented across geographies and hierarchies, reinforcing the bank’s commitment to equality and workplace safety. SBI’s gender-focused policies are complemented by its broader digital and operational transformation. The bank continues to leverage technology to enhance customer experience and efficiency, backed by a robust pool of IT specialists. Recognised among the top 50 global banks by asset size, SBI has also been consistently acknowledged as one of the country’s best employers. Source: PTI