How women should prepare themselves for uneasy questions

MUMBAI, INDIA: An angel investor who was interviewing a woman in her early stages of pregnancy noticed the baby bump and queried, “So you are pregnant. What are your plans afterward?”

The aghast interviewee could not respond.

As members of a civil society which has just begun to raise its voice against violence and injustice toward women, such questions from well educated and often well meaning interviewers can often leave a bad taste; especially in an era where more and more men are being sensitized toward issues related to women.

However, there’s no reason to take offence to such questions, points out Aditi Shrivastava, head, Intellecap Impact Investment Network.

She says, “Investors are not bothered about your pregnancy, but they are worried about the ROI. As investors, they have a right to know your plans; and you should be prepared to answer questions that make you feel uneasy.”

“Pre-empt these questions, and respond with statements like, Oh, good question. Then continue with your response as if the query did not impact you,” adds Lavanya Ashok, executive director, principal investment Area, Goldman Sachs Securities India.

As the market dynamics change and more and more women enter the social enterprise space, entrepreneurs cutting across gender lines suggest that women should learn to take uncomfortable questions in their stride, and learn to move forward.