CII- CONFERENCE ON WOMEN LEADERSHIP

One day Conference on Women Leadership and Empowerment & Launch of Indian Women Network, Delhi Chapterwas organized by CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) on 31st July, 2014. Two faculty members (Ms. Komal Madan –ME Dept.and Ms. Bhanu Bhardwaj-IT Dept.)andthree students (Shweta Kandari, ShivangiPokhriyal and Parul Kapoor) from Dronacharya Group of Institutions, Greater Noida attended the conference.

The CII National Committee on Women Empowerment works with industry to strengthen women’s role and participation in the economic sphere and community affairs. The focus areas are: Gender equality at workplace; Prevention of sexual harassment at workplace and Women empowerment at the community level.

Ms. Sumitra Mahajan, Hon’ble Speaker of the 16th Lok Sabha and the chief guest of the program inaugurated the Delhi Chapter of Indian Women Network (IWN). Ms. Mahajan in her inaugural address stressed upon the need for gender neutrality and focus on women empowerment oriented government policies. She also invited corporate sector to develop gender related policies and be sensitive to women employees needs. She spoke about her experience of working in an area like politics where there are fewer women & urged the women to be frontrunners in all walks of life.

Ms. MeenakshiLekhi, Member of Parliament, New Delhi interacted with the audience in a Special Plenary Session. Ms. Lekhi shared her experience as an individual woman and said that respect is the most important attribute for a woman towards her contribution she makes to the society. Ms Lekhi also mentioned about the positive amendments which National Commission for Women is planning and about the “Rakhsha” mobile application which has been launched by the present government for the Safety and Security of Women.

Mr. ZubinIrani, Chairman, CII Northern Region and President, Building & Industrial Systems, United Technologies Corporation India Pvt. Ltd. while delivering Welcome remarks stressed at the importance of safety and security of women at workplaces in India.

Mr. Arjun Wallia,Chairman, CII Delhi State Council and Group Founder and Chairman, TheWalsons Group and Securitas, India emphasized on the growth of India. For this, one must focus on harnessing energies, the talent and the contributions of all our people and most importantly of our women.

Ms Rashmi Singh, Executive Director, National Mission for Empowerment of Women, Ministry of Women and Child Development stressed on women to comeout and break all barriers and enter the workforce, contributing greatly to the economy.

Session 1:

They stressed on power equation which is equal to multiplication of force and distance per unit time. The panel discussed about a survey on India Women Representation on company board and found slight improvement on women leadership position. But still there were only a few women who sit on leadership position on board.

Session 2:

This session was moderated by Ms. ManikaRaikwarAhirwal, Managing Editor, NDTV, and panelist were: Dr Kiran Bedi, Ex-IPS Officer and Social Activist, Ms Sudha Pillai, Ex-Member Secretary, Planning Commission Of India, Ms. Uma Sharma, PadamBhushan and Kathak Dancer, Mssharmistha Mukherjee, member of Delhi Congress, Ms. Manpreet Brar Wallia, Vice Chairwoman, India Woman Network-Delhi & Director, The WalsonsFroup, Ms. Deepa Malik, Arjuna Award & founder Wheeling Happiness.

The panel discussed on women in public life and pitfalls and challenges in day to day life. They discuss that though women’s are present in public sector, the judiciary, education, their rate of progress is slow in most of these vocation which made their position under-represented. They also emphasize on new generation women which overcome all negative notions and prove themselves beyond doubt in all spheres of life. Dr. Kiran Bedi emphasized that women herself has to take stand and should know the domestic laws in order to prevent themselves.

Session 3:

This session was moderated by Ms. SonalKalra and the panellist were:  Ms. Rashmi Singh, Executive Director, National Mission for Enpowerment of Women, Government of India, Ms Shazialimi, India Social Activist, Ms chandan Chowdhury, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ms Talish Ray, Convener, CII delhi Panel on gender Sensitivity & managing partner , TRS law Offices, Ms. Sharat Bhattatiripad, Programming Director , Fever 104 FM, Ms. Aradhanalal ,Vice president-Sustainability Intiatives, The Lemon Tree Hotel Company, Dr. Rupleena Bose, Assistant professor, Sri. Venkateswara College, Delhi University.

This session dealt with safety, security and harassment faced by the women at the work place. They discuss the Article No.14, 19, 21 of Indian constitution and various government policies. The aim of this session was to remove discrimination against woman and allow them to be independent and self sufficient. They asked to examine the challenges faced by woman, their legal structure and the societal glass ceiling regularly in order to find the best remedy.

Session 4:

The panelist for this session were: Ms Vimla Mehra Special Commissioner, Delhi Police, H E, Mrs. Banarshi Bose Harrison, India Ambassador to Sweden and Latvia, Ms. Anjum Chopra, Cricketer, Padma Shri and Arjun Awardee, Ms.Amina Shervani, Director Business Development, Charuvi Design Labs Pvt. Ltd, Dr.Arti Verma, Senior Vice President, Medical Quality, Max Health care, Ms. Reiko Tsushima, Senior Gender Specilist, ILO Decent Work team for South Asia, Ms. Patricia Barandrun, Deputy Representative, UN Women’s Office for India, Bhutan, Maldives & Sri Lanka, H E Mrs. DarjaBandaz- Kuret, Ambassador of Solvenia to India.

This session was the concluding session of the conference. It was concluded that women are most powerful and they have always been a brave fighter in the battle of life. For Work-Family life balance they have to prioritize their work accordingly.

Having a day with founders of Indian Woman network boost up the morale and motivated the gathering to stand against the common problems of Indian women facing daily. It increased the confidence to use law as a weapon against the trouble-makers.