From left, Veena Merchant, editor-in-chief of News India-Times and Capitol Debates’ Host; Shivani Nath, psychologist in private practice; Anshu Arora, information technology auditor; and Krystle Kaul, ‘Washington Leadership Program’ Intern Class of 2004, who interned with Rep. Marty Meehan (D-MA). (Photo: Courtesy, TV Asia)

VEENA MERCHANT : Why do we earn less. That is where we started. Shivani, why is there lesser salary, if two individuals are working in a company in the same position, it seems obvious that women earn less? Why is that?

SHIVANI NATH : Well that is something that always baffles me.

VEENA MERCHANT : You are in a traditional male territory I would say. The kind of job you are in, did you have any opposition from your friends? What kind of peer pressures did you have and how are you handling it?

ANSHU ARORA : I don’t think there was a lot of opposition in my family and in my friend circle. It was a truly male dominated environment I stepped into but I have seen myself the change in the last five to six years that I have been working...

VEENA MERCHANT : You mean to say in the attitude of men…

The attitude of men as well as the group that I work in. The managing partner happens to be a woman. I have seen the drastic changes that have come across in the group in the last one year since she has been the leader. We have three male partners reporting to this one female managing partner.

VEENA MERCHANT : So this means when a woman is in a position of power it does make a difference. Do you see any change in Washington... on the Hill?

KRYSTLE KAUL : Yes, I do see more representation of women in politics.

VEENA MERCHANT : Do you feel in a couple of years you can convince your parents?

KRYSTLE KAUL : I wasn’t talking about my parents. I am very lucky; they are very supportive of my career. In general I don’t see that.

VEENA MERCHANT : Shivani, the way women behave, do you we perpetuate these attitudes by some behavior of ours?

SHIVANI NATH : I hate to say but sometimes we bring it on ourselves. You mentioned an interesting point why don’t moms encourage their daughters to get into politics and policy making. We are trained to be the social stereotype of being a good woman versus the powerful, supernova kind of a woman and it is nice to be a non-bitchy, passive lady.

VEENA MERCHANT : Is it fear of that position do you think?

SHIVANI NATH : It is the fear... the insecurity because of the perception... because of the reality that it is a man’s world. You don’t want your family members, your daughter to be introduced as an aggressive kind of woman.

VEENA MERCHANT : Is it because she won’t find a mate or is it because it isn’t correct for a woman to be aggressive and ambitious?

SHIVANI NATH : I think it is both. I think it is one of the major stresses and strains of being an adolescent. For a 16 or 17 year old it is like, okay I need to be in a career which will make me presentable, makes me more of marriage material.

VEENA MERCHANT : How do we break this pattern?

SHIVANI NATH : I think we still need to take small baby steps at that. Like they say home is the first school so when I am working with my clients and patients and when that question rises, I always try to empower them not to perpetuate this gender gap mechanism.

VEENA MERCHANT : How does your managing partner manage? I am sure she doesn’t discuss these issues with you. How do you see her conducting her personal life and work?

ANSHU ARORA : I think she is a strong-willed woman; she knew what she was going after. She had the partnership aim in her mind when she started out her career and she made all the right moves.

VEENA MERCHANT : Which means a woman has to walk that extra mile...

ANSHU ARORA : That is always true in the sense that we have to give hundred and ten percent to even make that 80 percent salary. It is sad but it is true.

VEENA MERCHANT : Being a politician, did you interact with a woman lawmaker or a Congresswoman or a senator?

Unfortunately, I didn’t have the opportunity to interact with a female representative but I was able to see several Congresswomen in action.

VEENA MERCHANT : Do you think they are always walking that extra mile?

KRYSTLE KAUL : I believe you have to do that whether it is business, law or politics. If you are entering male-dominated fields you have to shine if you want to be heard.

VEENA MERCHANT : The kind of job you are in do you see these attitudes coming at you? Can you describe it?

KRYSTLE KAUL : Absolutely. One of the key things that I see you need to have to succeed in the corporate world is golf. Golfing is huge. It is like a boys club.

VEENA MERCHANT : Do you think you will need to do eventually?

ANSHU ARORA : You know what the managing partner does play golf.

VEENA MERCHANT : Can you talk about an attitude thrown at you and how did you deal with that?

ANSHU ARORA : One of the senior managers that I was reporting to had a very chauvinistic attitude. I say chauvinistic because I don’t think he would have done the same to a male manager reporting to him. He would call me four times a day, catch me on the instant messenger and say ‘can we talk and can you give me a status update right now? I want to know what exactly you are having the team work on.’

VEENA MERCHANT : Maybe he is very driven...

ANSHU ARORA : I would have thought that but I have seen him in action with other managers; it wasn’t the same way.

VEENA MERCHANT : Maybe he perceives you less efficient...

ANSHU ARORA : Or it is just male versus female. I can’t really put my finger on it. I felt he was picking on me just because I was a woman. He constantly needed to be on top of things. He wasn’t as much of a micro manager as he was with me. I am not saying I am a good manager or a bad manager, but I think I am right there with the rest of them.

VEENA MERCHANT : Shivani if she came to you for help what would you tell her to do?

SHIVANI NATH : I would certainly lay down the boundary and if you are not answerable to that person I would not give status reports again and again.

VEENA MERCHANT : So that is how you break a pattern. Have you come across an attitude problem?

KRYSTLE KAUL : I have. One of my mentors at college advised me that you are a young female entering politics so use your feminine side in terms of getting ahead in politics.

I found that interesting because he is a well-respected professor with amazing credentials… someone I look upto.

VEENA MERCHANT : Where do you think this is coming from?

KRYSTLE KAUL : It is chauvinistic. It is this mentality that needs to be changed by younger generation coming in.

VEENA MERCHANT : So it is your generation we look upto? How do you plan to break that?

KRYSTLE KAUL : My response to him was if I am going to make ahead is because of my hard work and intelligence and not because of the outfit I wear.

(Transcribed by Bhavna Kaul)