Developing and Implementing Diversity Inclusion Programs: An Intersectional Approach to Gender Equity in India and the Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to explore diversity and inclusion initiatives, by emphasizing on how women's leadership experiences are shaped, intersecting social identities, including gender, nationality, and immigration status, through an intersectional lens. Further, we attempted to compare Indian women, Congolese women in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Congolese women in India in order to pinpoint structural obstacles and offer policy suggestions for inclusive leadership models.

Design/Method/Approach: Eighteen women were interviewed using semi-structured interviews as part of a qualitative design. Participants had a life experience with the inclusion of diversity, which is why we opted for purposive sampling. The data were subjected to a thematic analysis led by intersectionality as a theoretical framework in order to determine nuanced patterns of inclusion and exclusion in different contexts.

Findings: The study’s findings underline notable differences in the difficulties that women continue to face, which are certain barriers associated with migration, such as institutional racism, professional exclusion, and challenges with cultural adjustment, affecting Congolese women in India. While in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Congolese women face gender-based limitations, with leadership chances being restricted by customary societal expectations. Caste, class, and gender all together affect leadership representation, inclusion frameworks, and professional access, a reason why Indian women experience intersectional discrimination.

Originality/Value: The study offers new insights on comparative intersectional analysis due to the gap that exists in literature related to diversity, inclusion, and leadership. Beyond general gender equality activities, policy recommendations emerging from the thematic analysis provide tailored solutions that ensure context-specific interventions that address the multifaceted barriers impacting diverse identity groups.