At the NDTV World Summit 2024, a panel of leading Indian business women discussed the crucial role of women in the workforce. They emphasised how women can help create a better future and change leadership styles. The panel featured prominent figures like Kami Swaminath, President of FedEx, Preeti Bajaj, CEO of Luminous Power Technologies, and Padmaja Ruparel, Co-Founder of the Indian Angel Network. Their insights highlighted the need for more women in business and leadership roles.
Breaking Barriers in Business
Kami Swaminath spoke about the challenges women face in traditionally male-dominated industries. She noted that while progress is being made, there is still much work to do. At FedEx, 36% of the board members are women, and 26% of management positions globally are held by women. Swaminath stressed the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. She pointed out that many women drop out of middle management due to societal expectations related to family responsibilities. FedEx is committed to creating a supportive environment for women to thrive in their careers.
The Call for Action
Preeti Bajaj highlighted the significance of having women in senior management roles. She shared that 33% of her company’s senior team is made up of women. Bajaj outlined three key areas for improvement in the energy sector: ensuring equal access to opportunities, encouraging women to aspire for leadership roles, and creating supportive policies. She urged women to take action during this transformative time in India, especially with the Viksit Bharat 2047 initiative in mind.
Padmaja Ruparel shared her journey as an early-stage investor, noting the lack of women in her field when she started. She pointed out that only 14.7% of funding in 2022 went to women-led businesses, which is concerning. Ruparel called for more women investors and emphasised the need to create a strong network of women-led investment firms in India.
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