IIM-Kozhikode, Emeritus launch women leadership program to bridge gender gap

The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIMK) and ed-tech platform Emeritus on Jan 24 launched a 10-month women leadership programme that aims to address the persistent gender gap in leadership roles across corporate India.

Under this programme, women will be equipped with critical leadership skills, strategic insights, and the confidence to break the glass ceiling to excel in C-suite and board-level roles.

According to the Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG) Women Leadership in Corporate India Report 2024, women hold only 23.2% of leadership positions in corporate companies, while less than 12% of CXO roles and just 1.6% of Fortune 500 leadership positions in India are dominated by women.

Also, less than 30% of women in entry-level positions progress to senior leadership roles, highlighting the urgent need for targeted interventions to address systemic biases and foster inclusive workplaces.

This new programme is tailored for mid and senior-level women professionals. It blends live interactive sessions led by IIM Kozhikode faculty, workshops on strategic negotiation, design thinking, and digital transformation, along with capstone projects, providing participants with a real-world, hands-on learning experience.

Professor Debashis Chatterjee, director, IIM Kozhikode said, “Leadership is about breaking barriers and reshaping narratives. Through this programme, we aim to empower women to bring their unique perspectives to leadership roles, enabling transformative changes across industries and organizations.”

Programme Details:

● Start Date: March 31, 2025

● Duration: 10 months

● Eligibility: Minimum graduate or diploma holder (10+2+3) with 5+ years of work experience

● Programme Fee: ₹ 3,5 lakh + GST

● Learning Mode: Live online sessions

Certificate: Verified digital certificate and Executive Alumni status upon successful completion

The programme addresses systemic barriers faced by women in leadership. Through this program, participants will gain essential skills in negotiation, decision-making, and strategic thinking while learning to lead high-performing tea.