- Nupur Sharma (BJP Spokesperson), Radhika Vaaz (Indian Comedian and Author), Padam Shri Deepa Malik (Paraolympian and Athlete), Trupti Desai (Bhumata Brigade), Meghna Pant (Author and Activist), Ramesh Abhishek (DIPP Secretary), Satyavati Berera (Chief Operating Officer, PwC India) and many more speakers shared their views on women issues
Powerful women voices, a determination to change the discourse on diversity and a plan of action to grow the network for change – those were the highlights of SHE LEADS INDIA a powerful conference presented by SheThePeople.TV and supported by UN Women India at The Lalit New Delhi.
“The idea was to support a conference that brings together women at the forefront across spheres, who have consistently broken barriers to be change makers,” says Nishtha Satyam, Head, Strategic Partnerships, Policy Impact and Public Relations UNWomen Office for India, Bhutan, Maldives & Sri Lanka. “There is nothing more foundational to the economic and social viability of our cities and country, than ensuring voice, choice, and agency of our women.”
Shaili Chopra, Founder SheThePeople.TV emphasised the need for marquee efforts like go beyond tokenism. “These showcase real life heroes, and champions of women’s leadership at a time when we have increasing consciousness of gender biases and the need to celebrate women achievers.”
She Leads India picked important subjects such as the role of women in public policy, equal pay for equal work, change through sport and the power of humour to influence gender equality.
Nupur Sharma BJP Spokesperson said, “Public Policy requires intermeshing of intelligence and compassion – Women, thankfully, are blessed with both.”
Ramesh Abhishek, DIPP Secretary hail women at work and in particular women entrepreneurs who are a central part of the StartUp India campaign. He said, “Women can play an extremely import role in the Make in India and Startup India programmes. In both the programmes, women have been specifically targeted to avail the benefits from the incentives aimed to promote women entrepreneurs. Various government institutions and SIDBI are taking significant initiatives that help them raise funds. To exploit these schemes, they should keep themselves aware of the recent policies. Moreover, women should come forward and take part in the growth of Indian economy to motivate other women, too.”
The conversations and achievers were diverse, but they all marshalled the idea of India taking the lead in gender equality. Paraolympian and Athlete Deepa Malik said, “Life is a festival that should be celebrated every day, and to celebrate it, we should have some creeds, goals, and objectives that bring value addition in our life and society as a whole. We should assign jobs and responsibilities to employees as per their caliber and capacities. She also insisted that disabled too can achieve their goals if they really have a dauntless spirit to pursue a passion. Besides, there is an urgent need to dispel the taboos and myths associated with physically challenged people. Both government and society should come forward to create facilities for them.”
Satyavati Berera, Chief Operating Officer, PwC India, the Knowledge Partner to She Leads India said, “Diversity is not just about highlighting these differences, it is about coming together despite those differences towards a common goal of living our Values and Purpose.”
The Conference empowered by Colors and PwC as Knowledge Partner turned out to be a most action-packed summit to set on the course the dialogue on women achievers and the role of innovation and technology to lead to more meaningful and transformational outcomes for women.