Though International Women’s Day is behind us, we are continuing to spotlight voices from across the industry as part of our IWD Voices series, with leaders sharing their journeys, experiences, insights, and the lessons that have shaped them.
Next up, we speak with Yashna Garg, Founder of Yugap Wellness.
In our conversation, Yashna reflects on what this year’s IWD theme means to her, how her path into entrepreneurship was shaped by her mother’s emphasis on financial independence, and how her understanding of fairness has evolved to encompass equity over sameness.
She also discusses the infrastructure gaps that persist despite improved visibility for women in the workplace, and how Yugap Wellness addresses the health issues women face daily but rarely talk about.
The theme for International Women’s Day 2026 is “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.” What does this mean to you professionally and personally?
To me, this theme is about moving from intent to infrastructure. We’ve spoken enough about equality; now it’s about building systems that support it. It’s about execution. Professionally, it means building systems where women don’t have to ask for space—they already belong.
Personally, this became even more real during my own marriage journey. The conversations weren’t around if I would grow—but whether I would adjust. Whether I would continue working, relocate, or step back. And that’s the reality for most women—it’s always their career that’s seen as flexible.
What first drew you to your industry, and was there a defining moment that set your career in motion? Was there a role model who influenced you early on?
I started in design, but I quickly realised creativity without control limits impact.
Growing up, I didn’t see many working women around me. The narrative was different—it was about stability, marriage, and learning something that could be managed from home. Independence wasn’t positioned as the primary goal.
However, my mother played a defining role in shaping my thinking. She consistently emphasised financial independence—not as an option, but as a necessity, regardless of circumstances. That belief stayed with me, even when the environment around me suggested otherwise.
That perspective truly evolved when I moved to the U.S. I saw women building careers, owning their identities, and operating with a level of independence that felt non-negotiable. It shifted how I viewed my own path—not as something to adjust, but something to build.
Stepping into Zeon further reinforced this—moving from design execution to decision-making made me realise that real impact comes from ownership, not just contribution.
How has your understanding of fairness changed as you’ve gained experience and seniority?
Fairness isn’t sameness. It’s context. It’s understanding that women and men don’t operate in identical realities. And ignoring that isn’t neutrality, it’s poor leadership.
For instance, biological realities like menstrual cycles are still not acknowledged in most workplaces. For many women, that’s 3–5 days every month of discomfort or reduced productivity—yet expectations remain unchanged. That’s not fairness, that’s oversight.
Fairness isn’t sameness. It’s context. It’s understanding that women and men don’t operate in identical realities. And ignoring that isn’t neutrality, it’s poor leadership.
Then there are invisible responsibilities. Even today, a working woman’s day often starts earlier—managing meals, household expectations, and family responsibilities—before stepping into a full professional role. Add to that post-marriage expectations, social obligations, or default caregiving roles, and the load is clearly uneven.
Real fairness is equity—designing systems, policies, and mindsets that acknowledge these differences, while still holding everyone to high standards.
As conversations around women and work have evolved, what do you think has genuinely improved—and where do you think more attention and action are still needed?
Visibility has improved. Representation has improved. But infrastructure hasn’t kept pace.
We talk about more women in workplaces—but are workplaces ready?
More women means more practical changes:
- More washrooms. Women take longer for biological and hygiene reasons—long queues shouldn’t be normalised.
- Period awareness. This still isn’t openly discussed in most professional environments.
- Pay parity. Still a conversation, not a standard.
Until these basics are addressed, inclusion is incomplete.
Is there a project or initiative you’ve worked on related to women’s empowerment that you’re particularly proud of? What made it meaningful to you?
Yugap Wellness is deeply rooted in women’s health—addressing acne, gut health, hormonal balance, stress. These are often dismissed as “minor” issues, but they affect confidence, productivity, and mental well-being. For me, empowerment isn’t a campaign- it’s solving what women deal with daily but rarely talk about.
What responsibility do senior leaders have in shaping more equitable workplaces, beyond statements or policies?
If your team is filtering themselves before speaking, your culture is broken. Leaders don’t just approve policies, they model behaviour. Who gets heard, who gets flexibility, who gets judged differently, that’s where equity is actually built.
What is one change you would like to see in workplaces for the next generation of women?
Normalising ambition in women- without attaching conditions or addressing it as a “hobby”. No justification, no guilt, no trade-offs framed as virtue.
Quick Hits
A trend you are excited about, or not excited about?
Excited: Women starting early, thinking big, and not waiting.
Not excited: Empowerment as branding, not practice.
A creative campaign or representation of women that inspired you or made you feel seen?
Ariel’s #SeeEqual 2022 campaign worked because it called out the hypocrisy—celebrating working women while expecting them to manage homes by default.
You can’t talk about equality in boardrooms if it doesn’t exist in living rooms.
Until that shifts, we’re not solving the real problem—just rebranding it.
A piece of advice that stayed with you longer than expected?
If you don’t define your path, someone else will define it for you.
