Ahmedabad : ‘SheLeads’ an initiative to give a better shape for better tomorrow. Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Gujarat had organized an exclusive round-table discussion with the title “SheLeads”, which brought together some of the most influential women leaders from various sectors across Western India. This exclusive discussion was held with the aim to shape a visionary roadmap for India’s centennial year, highlighting the critical role of women in this transformative journey.
‘SheLeads’ is to Celebrate the significant contributions of women leaders across diverse sectors of the Indian economy, identifying and addressing the challenges faced by women in leadership roles while proposing actionable solutions, promoting inclusivity to create an environment that encourages and supports more women in leadership positions, and developing a strategic vision for enhancing women’s participation and impact in the Indian economy by 2047 were the key points which were discussed and highlighted in this event.
Ms. Mona Khandhar, IAS – Principal Secretary, Department of Science and Technology – Gujarat Government, other influential women from various fraternity like, Ms. Swati Salgaocar, Chairperson – CII Western Region, Ms. Paridhi Adani, Convenor, Services Panel, CII Gujarat and Partner, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas (CAM), Dr. Githa Heggde, Co-Convenor, CII Gujarat Education Panel, Ms Yogita Ahuja, Chairperson CII Indian Women Network (IWN) Gujarat and other visionary speakers like, Ms. Sandhya Patel, Director, Meghmani LLP; Ms. Lakshmi Iyer, CIO (Debt) & Head Product, Kotak Mahindra AMC; Ms. Raksha Bharadia, Author of Chicken Soup
for the Soul Series and Founder Bonobology; Ms. Aashish Kasad, Partner E&Y; Ms. Deepal Trivedi, CEO, Vibes of India; and Ms. Jumana Shah, Programming Director, Gujarat Literature Festival (GLF) and Associate Editor India Today, who shared important insights on the above matters.
“CII Western Region focuses on four key areas: Employment, Skilling, MSMEs, and Diversity & Inclusion, with additional efforts in Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) and Ease of Living. The diversity & inclusion agenda is our top priority as we curate interventions to ensure a good coverage of women and other lesser-represented communities as part of India’s workforce and growth story. CII has been curating initiatives to increase the representation of women in leadership positions and in technical disciplines. The ‘Women in STEM’ initiative launched in June aims to encourage and educate girls to take up STEM education and professions, retaining them in the STEM workforce. Another noteworthy initiative is the ‘Emerging Women Leaders’ program, which supports women through workshops, panel discussions, industry visits, and networking opportunities.”
Ms. Swati Salgaocar, Chairperson, CII Western Region, and President, V.M. Salgaocar & Brother Pvt Ltd
“Human development index components such as life expectancy, education, and economic independence must consider women. Women’s health should be prioritized, and education for women, especially in science and STEM, is crucial. Supporting women in professional careers and during family planning is vital for nation-building. Workplaces should facilitate these goals.”
Ms. Mona Khandhar – IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Gujarat Government
“Women are in all the places where decisions are made,” and added, “Our theme, ‘Leading Today, Shaping Tomorrow,’ resonates deeply with the transformative potential that women hold in shaping India’s journey towards its centenary.”
Ms. Paridhi Adani, Convenor, Services Panel, CII Gujarat and Partner, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas (CAM)
As the dialogue concluded, panelists echoed a shared commitment to continue these vital discussions and take concrete steps toward creating an inclusive and equitable future for women in India. The collaboration and insights from this session have laid a robust foundation for the ongoing journey towards India@100, where women’s leadership and contributions are pivotal.
