Women leaders at low-code software company WaveMaker have called for stronger structural support, inclusive leadership, and shared responsibility at home and work as the technology sector marks International Women's Day under the theme "Give to Gain".
Their comments point to ongoing pressures on women in engineering and quality assurance roles, and link inclusive cultures to stronger products and more sustainable innovation.
WaveMaker operates in the application development market and employs women across engineering, quality assurance, and customer support.
Neha Shailendra, Customer Support, Engineering, WaveMaker, drew on an ancient Sanskrit saying: "Yatra Naryastu Pujyante, Ramante Tatra Devataah" - where women are honoured, the divine resides. She linked the idea to the "Give to Gain" theme, arguing that supporting, respecting, and creating opportunities for women benefits everyone.
Shailendra added that many women find it overwhelming to pursue career ambitions while managing family and parenting responsibilities, and called for systems that better support women across their roles. "Uplifting women isn't kindness - it's progress," she said.
The theme "Give to Gain" has been set for International Women's Day 2026 and has prompted technology leaders to reflect on team structures, decision-making, and long-term culture change.
Bhargavi Gunda, Engineering, WaveMaker, said the theme reflects her experience as an engineering manager in a growing product organisation. She described progress in engineering as driven not just by individual output, but by enabling teams to collaborate, challenge ideas, and deliver together.
For Gunda, "giving" means creating clarity, encouraging open technical discussion, and ensuring engineers have the support to solve problems confidently. She also emphasised building inclusive environments where diverse perspectives are welcomed, and more women feel empowered to grow and lead. "Inclusive engineering cultures lead to better decisions, stronger products, and more sustainable innovation," she said.
Gunda's comments reflect a wider push in product engineering towards open discussion and knowledge sharing. Managers are linking these practices to both delivery outcomes and talent development.
Inclusive quality
WaveMaker's quality assurance leaders connected the International Women's Day theme to how software teams operate and how organisations set standards for fairness and recognition.
Tejaswi Maryala, QA, Engineering, WaveMaker, said the theme resonates with her leadership approach in quality assurance, where success depends on collaboration, trust, and equal contribution. She argued that when women in technology are given equal opportunities, ownership, and recognition, teams gain stronger performance, more innovative thinking, and higher standards of excellence.
Maryala also said gender equality begins with a shift in mindset and requires recognising men and women as equal partners in progress. She emphasised the role of families and organisations in providing the support that helps women step forward confidently and lead. She described "Give to Gain" as both a moral value and a strategic advantage.
Maryala linked equal opportunity and recognition to product quality, and underlined the role of families and employers in building confidence and leadership among women.
Shared responsibilities
Several of the company's engineers pointed to the strain of managing both technical careers and domestic duties, and highlighted the mental health cost of doing so without adequate support.
Bandhavya Vakiti, Engineering, WaveMaker, said many women in software continue to push themselves to keep up with new technologies while managing responsibilities at home. She noted that some are forced to pause or scale back their careers because balancing everything can become overwhelming, often at the cost of mental peace.
Vakiti said the "Give to Gain" theme is a reminder that when support, trust, and responsibilities are shared, women gain time, clarity, and opportunities to grow personally and professionally. She added that real empowerment comes from balance, not silently handling everything alone.
Vakiti's remarks echo broader industry debates over flexible work, career breaks, and re-entry pathways for women in software roles.
Trust and opportunity
Other voices inside the company framed International Women's Day through the lens of trust and everyday workplace choices.
Abhinaya Kankanala, Engineering, WaveMaker, said women are already capable, prepared, and resilient, and that what often makes the difference is trust. She argued that belief, encouragement, and opportunities to speak and lead can turn hesitation into confidence and create wider growth in teams, workplaces, and communities.
Kankanala added that these needs extend beyond gender. "Trust, opportunity, and encouragement are not exclusive needs. They are human needs," she said.
Kankanala's remarks focus on everyday actions inside teams rather than formal policy, and position trust and encouragement as levers for shared progress.