Stage set for SheSparks 2026: Spotlighting work, access, and women’s leadership

India’s gender gap at work isn’t narrowing fast enough—and SheSparks 2026 wants to change that. Scheduled for March 14 at IIT Delhi, YourStory’s flagship women-focused event will confront the realities that keep millions of women out of jobs, leadership roles, and growth opportunities, while spotlighting practical pathways forward.

By bringing together women from across industries, regions, and life stages, SheSparks 2026 creates a shared space for learning, connection, and visibility that too often remains out of reach. 

Despite progress in pockets, the numbers remain stark. Currently, only about 40.3% of Indian women are employed, and women account for only 14–20% of entrepreneurs in the country. Representation drops further in emerging and advanced skill areas, with women comprising around 14.9% of India’s tech workforce. These structural gaps, across work, access, and leadership, form the core focus of SheSparks 2026. 

The programme will feature a mix of keynote addresses, panel discussions, fireside chats and short-format talks, designed to go beyond aspirational narratives. Instead, the agenda will centre on real-world journeys, decision-making, and challenges faced by women leaders, founders, and professionals navigating today’s economy.

The SheCommerce Bazaar, which will showcase women-led brands and enterprises, will be a vital component of the event. The marketplace will feature a range of businesses, including D2C brands, small enterprises and community-led ventures, allowing founders to directly engage with audiences while sharing the stories behind their products.

The speaker lineup spans technology, public policy, social impact, finance, creativity, and defence, bringing together leaders from across sectors. Past speakers include Sudha Murty, Chairperson of the Infosys Foundation; Nivruti Rai, Managing Director and CEO of Invest India; and Roopa D Moudgil, an Indian Police Service officer from Karnataka; Anisha Padukone, CEO of The Live Love Laugh Foundation; Tessy Thomas, former Director General at the Defence Research and Development Organisation; and Vani Kola, Managing Director of Kalaari Capital; Naaz Joshi, trans rights activist and Miss World Diversity titleholder; Ramakripa Ananthan, Head of Design at Ola Electric; and Alicia Souza, illustrator and founder of aliciasouza.com; Chetna Gala Sinha, Founder of Mann Deshi Bank; Ranjana Kumari, Director of the Centre for Social Research; and Chandrika Deb, Country Manager for Canva India.

Across sessions, the emphasis will be on women’s lived experiences—how they navigate work, leadership, entrepreneurship and social change within male-dominated systems, with conversations revolving around access, support systems, and structural barriers.

SheSparks 2026 expects to draw 100+ women leaders, 500+ live attendees, and reach over 5 million women. This is not just a celebration of women’s ambition; it’s a working platform for it. 

With mentorship, market access, and real conversations under one roof, the event shifts the focus from visibility to velocity, creating lasting pathways for women to lead and succeed across sectors.