Mumbai: On this International Women’s Day 2025, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and brilliance of women across the world. From breaking barriers to leading change, women continue to redefine possibilities and shape a future that is inclusive, diverse, and full of opportunity.
This year, let’s not just acknowledge their contributions but actively champion their voices, aspirations, and rights. Because when women rise, the world rises with them. Here’s to progress, equality, and an unstoppable future—driven by women, for everyone.
Rajni Daswani plays a pivotal role as the Director of Digital Marketing at SoCheers, where she leads her teams to craft impactful campaigns across various industries. She’s also the backbone of SoCheers’ vibrant culture, driving employee engagement, training, and creating a positive work environment. With a clear entrepreneurial mindset, Rajni is shaping SoCheers into a global leader in digital marketing. SoCheers began in 2013 with a vision to shape brand narratives that truly connect. From a digital agency to a creative force, we merge storytelling, technology, and innovation to craft unforgettable moments.
Holding a management degree, Rajni spent her early career years as an Analyst in Macro Economics & Commodity Markets. This early experience helped her understand how the wheels of the world work, how businesses work and how consumers evolve when countries evolve. She bridged the gap between business goals and consumer needs, when she followed her entrepreneurial spirit & ran her own clothing label. She discovered the power of digital marketing while running her business which eventually led her to SoCheers.
Looking ahead to 2025, SoCheers is transforming into a strategic partner, redefining digital with bold ideas and real impact. Beyond campaigns, SoCheers solves business challenges and unlocks new opportunities through a seamless blend of creativity, media, and technology. With a sharp focus on data-driven solutions, they develop strategies that are both visionary and result-oriented.
SoCheers boasts a diverse and impressive client roster, including major brands like Amazon MX Player, ITC brands, ASUS, BOAT, Study in India, Croma, Mahindra Automobiles, Havmor, Asian Paints, BGMI, Godrej Interio, Tata Consumer Products (TCPL), Nickelodeon, Belgian Waffle, Haldiram’s, JioStar, Sony and others. Recognized at Clio Entertainment, The Webby Awards, The Drum Awards, and MMA Smarties, SoCheers continues to push creative boundaries, shaping the future of advertising in India.
MadeInMedia.in’s Kalpana Ravi in conversation with Rajni Daswani, Director – Digital Marketing, SoCheers on this Woman’s Day.
What are some of the biggest challenges women still face in leadership roles, and how can organizations foster real change?
Let’s be real – women in leadership often have to walk a tightrope while juggling a fireball. Be too assertive, and you’re labeled “bossy”. Be too accommodating, and you’re “too soft”. Add to this the unconscious bias, the lack of mentorship, and the good old “boys club” mentality, and it’s no wonder the road to the top feels more like an obstacle course.
How can organizations fix this?
● Ditch the “Manel” (All-Male Panel): If all your key decision makers look the same, it’s time for some diversity. Actively hire, promote and mentor women for leadership.
● Flexibility is Power: Leadership shouldn’t be a 24/7 badge of honor. Hybrid models, remote work, and result-based promotions can help women step up without stepping out of their personal lives.
● Challenge the “Office Housework” trap: Women often get assigned the nice-to-have but not critical tasks (planning events, taking notes). Flip the script – distribute responsibilities fairly.
With evolving work environments, how can companies better support women in achieving a healthy work-life balance?
Work-life balance isn’t just a women’s issue – but let’s face it, women still carry the lion’s share of caregiving duties. The world is shifting, and so should workplaces.
What helps?
● Outcomes > Office Hours – Focus on results, not how many hours someone sits at a desk. Women (and everyone else) need work that works for them – not outdated 9-to-9 routines.
● The No Guilt Flex Policy – Women shouldn’t have to whisper about leaving early for a parent-teacher meeting while a man gets praised for “being such a great dad”. Make flexible work normal for everyone.
● More than Just Maternity Leave – Because parenting doesn’t end at six months! Equal parental leave, childcare support, and eldercare benefits can ease the burden.
How can media and advertising play a stronger role in shaping positive and empowering narratives for women?
Remember when most detergent ads only showed moms doing laundry? Thankfully, brands are waking up – slowly. The media shapes cultural perceptions and if we want real change, advertising has to drop the stereotypes.
What needs to change?
● More “Real” Women, Fewer Tropes: We don’t need another ad where a woman succeeds despite all odds because she smiles through the struggle. Show women in power, not just in pain.
● Break the Age Barrier: Women don’t disappear after 40. Why are most beauty and fashion ads stuck at youth = value?
● Finance & STEM need a Female Face: Where are the women in finance, tech, and leadership ads? Normalize seeing women as investors, engineers, and CEOs.
As more women enter STEM and digital fields, what initiatives can help bridge the gender gap in these industries?
STEM isn’t just for hoodie-wearing, Red Bull-drinking dudes in dark basements. Women are stepping up, but the gender gap is still real—with fewer female mentors, lesser funding for women-led startups, and lower pay scales.
How do we fix this?
● Start Early: Encourage girls in coding, robotics, and AI from a young age. Programs like Girls Who Code should be mainstream.
● Funding Women in Tech: Only 2% of VC funding goes to female-founded startups. Investors need to actively back women-led innovations.
● Bias-Free Hiring: Anonymous recruitment processes can prevent bias in hiring and promotions. (Because yes, “John” still gets more callbacks than “Priya” with the same resume.)
What steps can individuals and businesses take to empower women towards greater financial literacy and independence?
Money isn’t just power – its freedom. But let’s be honest, many women still grow up thinking finance is “a man’s thing.” Time to change that.
What works?
● Teach Finance Like We Teach Self-Care: Financial wellness should be as normal as skincare routines. Schools and workplaces need mandatory financial literacy programs.
● Equal Pay, No Excuses: Because “negotiating better” isn’t the problem, pay disparity is. Companies need transparent pay policies and regular audits.
● More Women Investing, Not Just Saving: Encourage women to invest in stocks, mutual funds, and startups, not just “save for a rainy day.” At the end of the day, empowerment isn’t just about talking – it’s about changing systems, creating opportunities, and making sure women don’t have to fight for the basics anymore.