Journey of Women Chartered Accountants in India

India, in particular, has been enriched with remarkable feminine figures throughout its history. Currently, every 3 Women in India is a Chartered Accountant (CA).

Rise of Women as Chartered Accountants

CA. R. Sivabhogam was the First Women Chartered Accountant in India in 1947. The Journey of Women Chartered Accountants has been remarkable since then.

Source: ICAI CA Journal

As shared by ICAI is it’s Journal, “In 2000, only 8% of women were in the CA Community, now women’s representation in the CA community has skyrocketed and reached to 30% today.” This shows their growing influence in the field.

Interestingly as shared in the July edition of CA Journal “ICAI has recorded the registration of 34,688 women members from 2021 to mid-2024 alone. The trend of growing female membership is predicted to continue until 2030.”

Initiative Taken by ICAI Towards Growth of Women

In its more than seven decades of existence, the ICAI has always taken an active part in professional growth and has been a driving force in increasing women’s empowerment through numerous projects and programs. Recognizing the importance of gender equality in the professional domain, the ICAI has actively encouraged women to pursue careers in accounting. In the spirit of strengthening female members, ICAI has kept women-member-specific projects high on its agenda:

MoU between ICAI and Niti Aayog

In March 2018, ICAI signed an MoU with NITI Aayog to become one of their partners in the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) program, which aims to realize the entrepreneurial goals of women from all over India.

CA Women Excellence Awards for Women Members

In December 2023, ICAI organized a first-ever event to recognize those who have made significant contributions to various industries.

Networking Program and Training Program on HR Strategies and Relationship Management

To support and motivate female members interested in pursuing professions as entrepreneurs or in HR strategies and relationship management.

Awareness Campaigns

ICAI and various accounting firms run campaigns highlighting the achievements of female CAs, promoting the profession among young women, and breaking down stereotypes associated with the profession.

Brought out Publications where all the authors and reviewers were Women Members

• Revised Handbook on “Role of Women Directors”.
• Beneficial State Policies for Women’s Welfare.
• Digital Branding for Professional Growth.
• Booklet on POSH Act & SDG 5 – Tools for Women Empowerment.
• Contemporary Professional Opportunities for New-age Members.

Supporting Women Entrepreneurship – Statement of Intent (SOI) with NITI Aayog

The ICAI signed an SOI with NITI Aayog in Goa in October 2023, via its Professional Development Committee (PDC). ICAI will provide professional guidance through a panel of experts to women entrepreneurs enrolled with the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) and raise WEP awareness through its nationwide infrastructure and resources.

Women Members Excellence Committee (WMEC)

Since 2014, a specialized committee has been working to strengthen women’s capacities to successfully use their professional knowledge and expertise.

Placement Programme for Women CAs

We support experienced female Chartered Accountants seeking flexible possibilities, such as part-time or remote work.

WMEC Women Portal

A unique digital space where female members can stay informed and updated at their own speed. It includes information about professional prospects on the ICAI platform as well as insights from successful independent directors from a variety of sectors.

Training and Workshops

Conducts workshops, seminars, and training programs on topics such as leadership, communication skills, and technical updates to enhance the professional competence of women members.

MoU between ICAI and FLO

In September 2023, ICAI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the FICCI Ladies Organization (FLO) to increase women’s engagement in its financial literacy initiative. This alliance intends to promote entrepreneurship and financial awareness to poor children, women, and FLO members across India, hence creating a conducive climate for new enterprises.