It was not until a few years ago where the fairer sex was competing for merely an equal position at work.

Be it at the sales counter where her conversational abilities come in handy or at managerial positions where her niche qualities like organisational abilities are considered an asset, today a company believes in bringing women as part of its front force.

What is it really that makes organisations hire and retain and value its women workforce?

Says Ravi Prasad, CEO, Himalaya Drug Company, “Women have various skills, thereby making them an asset to any organisation. One of their key strengths is their ability to manage different tasks efficiently. They also have the ability to analyse things from a multi-dimensional viewpoint.”

Says Nahida Sunil of Jumde Art Copy, an advertising agency: “In the 20 years of my experience in the advertising industry I have realised that as men have their innate strengths, so do women. For one, they job-hop less frequently than men, which is a quality that companies look out for. Also they have an innate understanding of situations. It is not wrong to say that many of the skills they bring to their work are a mere extension of the skills they use to keep their homes function smoothly.”

Even in careers like the police force, women have made their own place. There are about 10 per cent positions reserved for women. Says Commissioner of Bangalore, Ajay Kumar Singh: “Women are extremely sensitive and can empathise with the problems of other women and children. Our women police personnel have also extended great support in organising sensitisation programmes for the public.”

Says journalist Malini Misra: “One can find women being versatile in their writing, be it a civic story or a soft story about a charity organisation. Women understand the nitty-gritty of the situation and can do a better job. Also, they are more sensitive to women’s issues and can write better about them as probably they are facing similar situations.”

Other firms such as AyurShop.com have found that most customers across the sales counter prefer to get details about the products in the store from a lady. Says CEO Vikas Sharma: “We have generally found that women are more sincere in their work.”

Those who have worked with women have no qualms in accepting that women are special to any organisation