You don’t get promotions, bonuses, or recognition for this job.
But without it, nothing works.
That’s me with my girls, many years ago on a trip back to India.
They’re young adults now and about to enter the workforce.
For nearly a decade, I raised them as a single dad—while leading in senior leadership and C-suite roles.
Grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, school matters, medical appointments, extra-curricular activities, friends, pick-up/drop-off runs… the list was endless.
It wasn’t easy. I was juggling all day—work, kids, home—trying not to drop anything.
And I was very fortunate to have had incredibly supportive leaders and team members who understood the challenge.
But let me be clear—I’m not sharing this for your sympathy or support.
I’m sharing this because the experience of raising my girls gave me a unique and often overlooked perspective on the hidden cost women pay when balancing professional careers and caregiving.
For a moment, replace me with any other woman in your family—your partner, daughter, maybe even your mom— and you start seeing the bigger picture.
This isn’t about saying men don’t contribute—many do. But the numbers tell a different story. 👇
🔹 Workforce gap – Women’s participation: 62.5% (men: 71.3%).
🔹 55% pay cut – Women’s earnings drop post-childbirth. Men’s? Unaffected.
🔹 Childcare penalty – High costs make full-time work unaffordable for many women.
🔹 Retirement gap – Women retire with 23% less Super, increasing financial insecurity.
🔹 Unpaid labour = another job – Women do 30+ hours/week of unpaid care (men: 22 hours).
(Source: Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce, 2023 Report to the Australian Government).
These issues are major contributors to the Gender Pay Gap.
As a C-Suite leader, you have the power to break these barriers—starting now.
Here are two steps you can take immediately:
✔️ Provide flexibility – Support caregiving without compromising career growth.
✔️ Encourage equal parental leave – Normalise men taking an equal caregiving role.
📩 If this resonates, let’s talk. I’d love to hear your thoughts—message me for a copy of my guide. "Closing the Gender Pay Gap & Accelerating Women into Leadership Positions."
For senior leaders navigating complex challenges, the journey to impactful leadership can feel daunting at times—but it doesn’t have to be walked alone. Anoop, with 30+ years of experience across three continents, a former Board member and CPO of a Fortune 10 company in Australia, and winner of the 2022 HR Leader of the Year award, advises senior leaders on making profound changes.