Accelerating Action: International Women’s Day Special

Hosted by Ranjini Rangarajan, featuring Shilpa Harsh (EVP, Corporate Communications, CSR, DEI & ESG), Sharmaine Timothy (Mind Space founder), and Sandhya Manoj (Hummingbird CEO)—exploring IWD relevance, men's allyship, reframing feminism, intersectionality, and action steps for workplace equity.

What You’ll Learn 

IWD's role: Reflects progress, raises bias/inequality awareness, inspires policies/role models, fosters year-round solidarity.

Allyship benefits: Men challenge barriers (business gains: 25% profitability boost), daily action normalizes inclusion—morally right.​

Feminism redefined: Fairness/human rights for all, equity levels fields despite backgrounds—not a threat.​

Advocacy strategies: Educate on biases, amplify voices/seats at tables, protections, mentorship/sponsorship, flexible policies/returnships to fix leadership pyramid.​

Women leaders' actions: Self-care, equal pay/opportunities, diverse hiring, support women-owned businesses, challenge bias.​

Intersectionality (Kimberlé Crenshaw): Amplified inequalities (race/gender/class); needs listening/diverse leadership for real policies.​

Accelerating Action: Speak up, seize opportunities, own voice—step/speak/speed up with first steps.

Transcript 

Ahalia (Intro Host): Hello and welcome to Sonic everybody. Ahalia here keeping you company for a short little while because we're here today to celebrate—or rather kick-start—our celebrations for International Women's Day. Date: 8th of March on everybody's calendars.
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You know, I often find that the best way to initiate progress is always to spark a conversation. And lucky for us, we've got the perfect platform in Sonic to do just that.
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So today we're diving deep into a conversation with three wonderful speakers: Shilpa Harsh, Executive Vice President, Global Corporate Communications, CSR, DEI and ESG; Sharmaine Timothy, author and founder of Mind Space; and Sandhya Manoj, founder and CEO Hummingbird—hosted by the wonderful Ranjini Rangarajan.
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Buckle up and let's dive right in to this conversation exploring why International Women's Day is so relevant even in today's day and age, how we as women and as a collective can push the needle forward, accelerate action, and make the most of the moment.​

Ranjini Rangarajan (Host): Hi everyone and thank you so much for joining us. This is the favorite time of my year. And we have with us three leaders, each of whom has set standards in the DEI space and the inclusion space in their own right.​

Thank you so much for joining us, ladies. So let's start with you, Shilpa. Why do you think there is a need to celebrate International Women's Day at this day and age?​

Shilpa Harsh: Thank you, Ranjini. First and foremost, it's great to be on Sonic.
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We all would agree over the past few years, we have made progress. And we all would still agree that more work is needed to create an equitable future. International Women's Day continues to be a crucial opportunity for all of us to reflect on the progress we have made and continue to promote and talk about women's rights and advocate for change.
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This day continues to help raise awareness about the ongoing issues women face globally, such as inequality, biases, discrimination, and violence. And this awareness and conversation that happens on this day can inspire action and change.​

For me, the day continues to serve as a reminder of the work that is still needed to achieve equality—pushing for policies and initiatives that support women's rights and empowerment. Celebrating women's achievements on this day also inspires future generations of women and girls to pursue their goals and challenge societal norms.
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They get their role models here today, they speak to them. This is all part of the many celebrations happening across organizations. And like I'll talk about our organization, Ranjini—our women at HGS and men also look forward to this day because we all come together.​

Our initiatives and policies aren't just one day; we continue our efforts throughout the year. But on this day we come together, fostering solidarity among allies and creating a sense of shared purpose and community in the fight for equality and change. So I think it's a very important day, and I'm looking forward to celebrating it.​

Ranjini: Fantastic. Thank you so much, Shilpa. Shilpa mentioned the role of allyship. So this is a pertinent question for you, Sandhya: Why do we need men to advocate for women's rights, and what is the role of allyship irrespective of gender?​

Sandhya Manoj: Thank you, Ranjini, and it's a real pleasure to be here today. Interesting question: Why should men advocate for women?​

For me, gender equality is about women, but it's not just a women's issue. This needs to be understood from a larger perspective. When you look at society, everybody benefits when a woman thrives economically, socially, culturally.
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Research has shown that diverse and inclusive environments make stronger decisions—you're more creative, more innovative, and you build better communities. Real change never happens in silos; it needs collective action, and men are an integral part of this ecosystem.​

In organizations, it's a business imperative. Data shows organizations with diverse leadership are at least 25% more likely to outperform in profitability. Diverse teams make fewer errors, better decisions—so better outcomes. It's a smart financial decision.
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Power dynamics today—boards, senior leadership—are skewed to men. When men in positions of privilege advocate for women, they call out biases, challenge stereotypes, break down systemic barriers (visible or invisible), and build fair, inclusive workplace cultures. They normalize these conversations.​

Allyship isn't just words—it's active action, calling out biases. When men become allies, they're supporting the entire ecosystem: better communities, cultures, teams, and a sustainable future. Allyship isn't a one-day affair for International Women's Day—real allies live it daily as part of their ethos and values. Morally, it's the right thing to do. Gender equality is the right thing to do.​

Ranjini: I love what you said about allyship being the right thing to do and real allies doing it throughout the year. Powerful message. Now to Sharmaine for my favorite question: How can we turn feminism into something people are not threatened by or afraid of?​

Sharmaine Timothy: That's a great question, Ranjini—one I get asked often. First, I'm excited to be here on Sonic discussing this important topic.
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At its core, feminism is about fairness and equality for everyone. Unfortunately, some misunderstand it as favoring one group, but it's about leveling the playing field so we all thrive together—like Sandhya mentioned.
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When I talk to my daughters (13 and 8), I explain feminism is about fairness—being treated equally whether boy or girl. I want them to understand it's not women's rights; it's human rights for everyone. Supporting feminism means a world where equality and equity are the baseline. None of us should fear enabling that—we should be proud.​

Ranjini: Absolutely. Equity is something people are coming to terms with: providing a level playing field despite backgrounds, struggles, and extra effort needed. Sandhya, how do we advocate for women's rights today?
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Sandhya: First, educate and sensitize on gender equality—most are unaware of biases until named; that's change's starting point.
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Amplify women's voices: platforms, communication channels internally/externally. Give them seats at the table for policies about them—who better knows? Create protections against discrimination/violence with legal recourse.
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Mentorship is powerful; returnship programs have momentum. But women often choose family over career (99.9% time). Preempt via flexibility: timings, short leaves for caregiving/equity needs post-COVID wellness talks. This strengthens the pyramid (50% entry to <10% board).
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Beyond mentorship, sponsorship—committed to your success (""your failure is mine""). Encourage it everywhere.​

Shilpa: Absolutely. Sponsorship key—men help navigate ecosystems; women may not know solutions to barriers. ""Your success is my success."" On seats at table: many organizations progressed, but now hear women's voices—work needed.
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Ranjini: Shilpa, you're an advocate for sponsorship/allyship. Turning lens on women (caregiving/work-life): how push needle for ourselves/future women?​

Shilpa: Totally agree. Women straddle offices, homes, personal lives with caregiving—we must prioritize self-time, or can't fulfill roles/move needle.
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As leaders, daily: promote equal opportunity, mentor/sponsor growth, vocal advocates (we know what works). Push equal pay, maternity, policies. Merit-based diverse hiring, women leadership.​

At HGS: support women-owned businesses/ecosystems. Challenge bias/speak against discrimination—we owe it to ourselves.
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Ranjini: Powerful. We forget self-care—""I choose me."" Sharmaine, intersectionality in women's journeys/how equitize gaps?​

Sharmaine: Powerful concept coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw: inequalities (race/gender/class) amplify each other. Women's experiences shaped by full identity.​

Mindful via listening/asking questions. Recognize compounded challenges; advocate diverse leadership—unique perspectives shape real decisions. Not checkbox—value voices. Critical for caregivers; ignore and policies fail many.​
Ranjini: ""Accelerating Action"" theme—one message each for women? Sandhya first.
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Sandhya: Speak up—your voice powerful; voice change, ask opportunities, ditch self-doubt.​

Sharmaine: Urgency: change via seizing now, not perfect moments. Challenge status quo, break barriers. Stormy days? Dance in rain.​

Shilpa: Embrace/own voice. Every action counts—believe abilities, support each other. Progress starts with first step.​

Ranjini: Step up, speak up, speed up! Thanks—happy International Women's Day.​

Ahalia (Outro): That's a wrap. Thanks for tuning into Sonic—happy IWD. Spark conversations! Catch next episode.