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The NDTV World Summit provided a platform to address the crucial issue of women's inclusion in India's rapidly evolving economic landscape, focusing on the energy, logistics, and entrepreneurial sectors. The conversation centered around the '3As' - Access, Ambition, and Attainment - highlighting their significance in propelling women into leadership positions. Preeti Bajaj, CEO & MD of Luminous Power Technologies, emphasized the tangible impact of increasing women's representation in leadership roles, citing her company's 33% female representation in the senior leadership team as a testament to the positive change it brings.
Beyond Luminous Power Technologies, other prominent business leaders and entrepreneurs, including Kami Viswanathan, President of Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Africa at FedEx, and Padmaja Ruparel, Co-founder of the IAN Group, shared their perspectives on how women are not only breaking down barriers but also setting new benchmarks in leadership, innovation, and inclusivity. While India's entrepreneurial landscape is experiencing a boom, the growth of women entrepreneurs remains alarmingly low. This disparity was underscored by Padmaja Ruparel, who stated that in 2022, only 14.7% of funding went to women-led ventures, a figure that plummeted to a mere 9.7% in 2023.
The lack of sufficient financial backing for women-led ventures is a significant obstacle to their growth and success. Ms. Ruparel highlighted the need for greater financial support, urging the creation of a 'BlackRock of India led by a woman' to drive entrepreneurship and empower women in this sector. Kami Viswanathan from FedEx shared their commitment to diversity and inclusion, highlighting that 36% of their global board and 26% of their management are women. Furthermore, they have implemented initiatives to ensure inclusive hiring, promotions, and career support for women within the organization.
Source: NDTV World Summit: Access, Ambition, Attainment - 3 As For Women Inclusivity