Nearly three-quarters of security professionals report gender-based discrimination: Survey

New Delhi, June 18. Nearly 74 percent of security professionals have either personally experienced or witnessed gender-based discrimination in the workplace, according to the Women in Security Survey (WISS) 2026 released on June 18 by IIRIS Consulting in collaboration with the CII Centre of Women Leadership.

The report, based on responses from 730 security professionals, was unveiled during the India Women Leadership & Growth Summit 2026 held in New Delhi. The findings point to a disconnect between the widespread adoption of diversity and inclusion policies and the lived experiences of women working in the security sector.

According to the survey, 92.7 percent of organisations have introduced measures such as formal inclusion policies, flexible work arrangements or diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) frameworks. However, 84.5 percent of respondents said women continue to be underrepresented across security functions, while 74 percent reported having experienced or observed gender-based discrimination in security workplaces.

The report found that support for greater inclusion is nearly universal, with 96.8 percent of respondents favouring the creation of more opportunities for women in security roles. It also highlighted increasing policy adoption across organisations, with 89.6 percent reporting the presence of formal DEI policies, 90.7 percent citing gender-neutral frameworks and 91.2 percent indicating the existence of initiatives aimed at addressing unconscious bias.

Despite these measures, workplace culture remains a major challenge. Nearly 40 percent of respondents identified stereotypes and male-dominated work environments as the primary barriers discouraging women from pursuing careers in security.

Speaking at the launch, IIRIS Consulting Chief Executive Officer Sagarika Chakraborty said that while the conversation around inclusion had continued for years, the everyday experiences of many women had not improved sufficiently.

“Policies are important, but they cannot become the finish line. Real progress begins when organisations listen more closely, question what is not working and take responsibility for the outcomes. Women should not have to constantly prove that they belong in security,” she said.

Shivani Kumar, Executive Director of the CII Centre of Women Leadership, described the findings as a wake-up call and stressed the need for organisations to move beyond compliance and ensure consistent implementation, review and accountability.

The survey identified mentorship as the most sought-after intervention for improving women’s participation and career advancement, with 45.2 percent of respondents highlighting it as the single most important requirement. More than 90 percent of respondents also expressed support for an industry-wide gender parity pledge, reflecting growing appetite for collective action and accountability.

IIRIS Consulting President Garry Singh said the security sector was undergoing a transformation, with issues such as risk, resilience and trust increasingly becoming boardroom priorities. He said inclusion must become an integral part of capability building rather than merely a policy objective.

The India Women Leadership & Growth Summit 2026 brought together policymakers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs and security professionals to discuss leadership, business resilience and risk management. Among those who addressed the gathering were Anna Roy, Principal Economic Advisor at NITI Aayog and Mission Director of the Women Entrepreneurship Platform, former Indian Ambassador to ASEAN Gurjit Singh and former Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Vikram Singh.

The latest survey builds on previous editions released in 2022 and 2025. While the inaugural report established a baseline for women’s representation in the sector, the 2025 edition highlighted structural barriers. The 2026 survey focuses on whether increased awareness has translated into meaningful and measurable change.