Four Indian and three Chinese women made it to the top of Forbes Magazines most powerful women in 2011. Albeit an American publication, Forbes did take the notch up from two Indian and one chinese woman last year – .
The women that did make the cut this year include Indra Nooyi, an Indian and CEO PepsiCo, Sonia Gandhi party head the Indian National Congess, the nations ruling party, Chan Laiwa & family, chair of the Fu Wah International group, China, Chanda Kochhar, CEO, ICICI Bank, India, Zhang Xin and family, Co-founder & CEO, SOHO China, Margaret Chan, Director-general WHO China and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Founder, Chair, Biocon, India. Of those that got left out from last year are Shikha Sharma CEO, Axis Bank and China’s sole entrant last year, Sun Yafang, Chairmain Huawei Technologies.
While women in a position of power are just becoming a reality in modern day India and China, their ascent has been phenomenal. Traditionally tied to the role of a domestic enabler, the Asian women is today much more versatile, multi-talented, aspirational, educated, healthier, driven and independent. While fulfilling her duties at home, she is also still the dominant force behind raising children, keeping the fridge stocked and making sure the family is happy and safe. Simultaneously , she might get herself a double degree, run a successful home enterprise and lead a team of 50 people. Recently noted as one of the most stressed people, the role and position of Asian women is changing drastically. Flushed with cash, they have a larger say in spending patterns, and a stronger voice to assert their own opinions. Bold and outgoing, Asian women are keen to forge their own path, buoyed by increasing family support, these women are winning laurels both inside and outside the home.
As a tribute to the dynamic, confident and independent Asian woman on the rise – Inchin Closer, takes a look at other women we think Forbes should have also included in the list. Send us your comments, suggestions and the women you think should be included.
- Jennifer Li, CFO, Baidu, China
- Peggy Liu, Chairman, Joint U.S.-China Collaboration on Clean Energy, China
- Tanya Dubash, President of marketing, Godrej Industries, India
- Shobhana Bhartia, Vice chairman and editorial director of HT Media in India
- Solina Chau, Director, Li Ka Shing Foundation, China
- Roshni Nadar, Chief executive, HCL Corp., India
- Wei Sun Christianson, CEO, Morgan Stanley, China
- Manisha Girotra, Chairman, managing director, UBS India
- Pansy Ho, Managing director, Shun Tak Holdings, China
- Aishwariya Rai-Bachchan, Bolloywood Actor
- Hu Shuli, Editor, Caijing magazine, China
- Naina Lal Kiwai, CEO, HSBC India
- Jane Shao, Managing director, Istithmar World, China
- Kathy Xu, Managing partner, Capital Today Group, China