Industrial Economist (IE): What is your perspective on women empowerment? Are men threatened by highly capable women?
Khushbu Sundar (KS): To me, women empowerment means giving women the wings to fly high in every sphere, be it business, home, education, the armed forces and public life. Empowerment must extend beyond the household into society and leadership spaces. In my political journey, it has been both a strength and a challenge. While capable and confident women can sometimes be seen as a threat in male-dominated spaces, I have also drawn strength from my resilience, intelligence and individuality to carve my own space.
IE: Despite decades o f demo c r a c y, women remain underrepresented in Indian politics. What are the structural barriers?
K S : Ma n y women hesitate to enter politics due to family responsibilities or lack of support. Politics demands significant time and commitment and w o m e n frequently c a r r y g u i l t a b o u t b e i n g a w a y f r o m children or elders. The pressure to be a perfect caregiver becomes the biggest obstacle in pursuing public life. Women need to stop striving for perfection and understand it’s perfectly fine to be imperfect.
IE: Women’s labour force participation remains low despite rising education levels. What reforms are needed to change this?
KS: The first thing that women need to understand is that they cannot be the sacrificing goat and they need to let go of their mindset that men can lead the family. They have to be firm and assert their place in the chosen field. If these things are done, I’m sure that we can see a lot of women joining the labour force in the upcoming years.
IE: What is one change you hope to see for Indian women in the next decade?
KS: I want to witness women in every field leading in the front and having a mindset that they can conquer. I believe unity is something that will help bring a lot of women into the workforce, as there is enough space for everyone to grow fast in the world. Another major thing that women should leave behind is their insecurities; if they do that, they can excel in whatever career path they choose.
IE: How do you maintain work-life balance?
KS: It is important to prioritise what is important. I prioritise my work when I’m working, but when I need to have dinner with my family, I don’t compromise on that. Understanding what is important and setting priorities with clarity makes it much easier to have a proper work-life balance.