At the NDTV World Summit, discussions focused on advancing women’s inclusion in India’s energy, logistics, and entrepreneurial sectors, with the spotlight on the “3As” Access, Ambition, and Attainment as crucial pillars for driving women into leadership positions.
Preeti Bajaj, CEO & MD of Luminous Power Technologies, emphasized the tangible benefits of having more women in leadership. “At Luminous, women make up 33 per cent of our senior leadership team, truly making an impact every single day,” Bajaj said, explaining how the “3As” framework serves as a roadmap for boosting female representation at the top.
Other notable business leaders, including Kami Viswanathan, President of FedEx for the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Africa, and Padmaja Ruparel, Co-founder of IAN Group, echoed these sentiments, sharing how women are not only breaking barriers but also setting new benchmarks in leadership, innovation, and inclusivity.
However, despite India’s booming entrepreneurial landscape, the growth of women entrepreneurs remains alarmingly low. Padmaja Ruparel highlighted the funding disparity, revealing that “only 14.7 per cent of funding in 2022 went to women-led ventures, and in 2023, this figure dropped to just 9.7 per cent.” Ruparel called for stronger financial support, envisioning the creation of “the BlackRock of India led by a woman” as a game-changing initiative for fostering female entrepreneurship.
Kami Viswanathan of FedEx noted that women hold 36 per cent of the company’s board seats and 26 per cent of management positions globally. “We’ve recently reaffirmed our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) through inclusive hiring, promotions, and career development opportunities,” she said, stressing the importance of building an inclusive workforce.
The summit’s conversation on gender inclusion underscored the urgent need for systemic change to support and advance women across various industries, with the “3As” framework offering a clear pathway toward sustainable progress.
Read Now:Cyclone Dana to Hit Odisha: Schools Shut in Multiple Districts as Precautionary Measure
