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.
What started as a small initiative to create healthy baked goods for her family and community has now blossomed into a thriving Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) venture. Nitzana specializes in delivering freshly baked, preservative-free products across India within 24 hours. Leveraging her medical background, Dr. Dhara has ensured that every product is crafted with a focus on nutrition, purity, and taste. Her vision is to expand Nitzana into a comprehensive brand offering a variety of health-focused foods for conscious consumers.
Dr Dhara Panchal who seamlessly blends her medical expertise with a passion for promoting wholesome living through nutritious food. Her journey is an incredible tale of following one’s passion, overcoming challenges, and building a movement toward healthy eating.
Dhara wasborn and raised in Gujarat, she pursued a distinguished career in medicine, earning her MD in Pharmacology from Baroda Medical College. She spent three years mentoring medical students before realizing that her true calling lay in preventive healthcare. In 2018, she took a bold leap from the hospital corridors to the kitchen, founding Nitzana—a brand dedicated to crafting nutritious, additive-free food options for modern families.
MadeInMedia.in’s Kalpana Ravi in conversation with Dr. Dhara Panchal, M.D. Founder and Director – a doctor turned entrepreneur on the role of women in the business and corporate world. The challenges faced and balancing work and family life and much more……
What are some of the biggest challenges women still face in leadership roles, and how can organizations foster real change?
Women in leadership continue to face biases, unequal pay, and the challenge of balancing multiple responsibilities. Many workplaces still have a male-dominated culture where women must work harder to prove their credibility. Despite these hurdles, I believe challenges inspire growth. Women are natural leaders—they manage homes, careers, and relationships seamlessly. Organizations need to foster inclusive spaces by ensuring fair pay, creating mentorship programs, and implementing health-conscious policies that support women at different life stages. Leadership should be about capability, not gender, and companies must actively work towards dismantling deep-rooted biases.
With evolving work environments, how can companies better support women in achieving a healthy work-life balance?
The idea of complete gender equality in all aspects is unrealistic because men and women have different biological and hormonal structures. Women go through phases like menstruation, pregnancy, and postpartum, which impact their professional lives. To create a more supportive work environment, companies must acknowledge these differences instead of ignoring them in the name of equality. Flexible work hours, menstrual leave, and better maternity policies are crucial. Additionally, workplace daycare facilities or tie-ups with nearby childcare centers can help working mothers focus better. Women should not have to choose between their ambitions and their families—companies can play a pivotal role in ensuring they don’t have to.
How can media and advertising play a stronger role in shaping positive and empowering narratives for women?
Both men and women face challenges in their professional and personal lives, but historically, women’s struggles—especially regarding pay gaps, career breaks due to motherhood, and lack of flexible work policies—have been overlooked. Media and advertising have the power to change this by showcasing real, diverse stories of working women, not just as superheroes who ‘do it all,’ but as individuals with real struggles and real successes. Additionally, brands should advocate for policies like better maternity benefits and equal pay instead of just token campaigns on Women’s Day. True empowerment comes from systemic change, and media has a responsibility to highlight these areas of improvement.
As more women enter STEM and digital fields, what initiatives can help bridge the gender gap in these industries?
The increasing participation of women in STEM and digital fields is a great sign, but the gender gap still exists, especially in leadership roles. To bridge this gap, companies and institutions must invest in mentorship programs, scholarships, and training sessions that encourage young girls to pursue STEM careers. Workplace policies should also support women through equal pay, clear growth paths, and safe, inclusive environments that allow them to thrive without facing discrimination or bias. Moreover, recognizing and promoting female leaders in STEM will inspire more women to enter and excel in these industries.
What steps can individuals and businesses take to empower women towards greater financial literacy and independence?
Financial independence is important, but independence is also about mindset. Women should be encouraged to make their own choices—whether it’s about working, investing, or managing their households. Financial literacy programs should start early, in schools and colleges, so women feel confident about managing money. However, we also need to ensure that women are not just seen as an economic resource in the workforce. Often, companies see female employees as ‘cheaper labor’ due to pay gaps. True empowerment means giving women the choice to work on their own terms, with fair wages, growth opportunities, and the support they need to succeed in any field they choose.
