ITV News presenter Julie Etchingham is back with another series of Ask A Woman - the podcast that seeks enlightening answers from bright, powerful, fascinating and funny women.

Leading economist Kalpana Kochhar joins Julie this week to chat about why the pandemic is a wake-up call for gender equality.

Kalpana is the current Director of the IMF’s Human Resources Department and has worked for the Fund for over 30 years.

She will soon be joining the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation where she hopes to share her expertise in female leadership and empowerment.

In the episode, Kalpana discusses:

01:40 - navigating the pandemic as an HR boss

05:26 - how the pandemic has impacted working women

08.30 - the policies she would impose to protect vulnerable women

14:00 - why rich countries should be doing more

16:09 - the importance of equal representation

18:19 - working with female leaders at the IMF

21:37 - growing up in India and studying in America

25:08 - joining the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

27:25 - why Michelle Obama would join her grandmother as her dream dinner guest

30:22 - closing the gap for women in developing countries

New episodes of Ask A Woman are released every week - subscribe so you don't miss out.