Gender equality takes center stage at NBS: Hosts gender diversity & inclusion conclave 2024 - building an inclusive India

The halls of Narayana Business School resonated with powerful voices for change as the highly anticipated Gender Diversity & Inclusion Conclave 2024 unfolded on September 21. This groundbreaking event, a collaboration between Narayana Business School and CII IWN Gujarat, brought together visionaries, industry leaders, and aspiring change-makers to tackle the pressing issues of gender diversity and inclusion in Indian workplaces.

Set against a backdrop of stark gender disparities in India's professional landscape, the conclave served as a clarion call for action:

• India's 129th rank out of 156 countries in economic participation and opportunity for women (World economic forum gender gap report 2022)
• A mere 10% female representation in senior management roles across 60% of Indian organizations (Deloitte survey, 2020)
• The alarming decline in India's female labor force participation rate from 30.27% in 1990 to 20.8% in 2019 (World Bank data)

These sobering statistics underscored the urgency of the conclave's mission - to equip the next generation of leaders with the tools and mindset to shatter glass ceilings and build truly inclusive work environments.

Highlights of the Gender Diversity & Inclusion Conclave 2024

The Gender Diversity & Inclusion Conclave 2024 at Narayana Business School stands as a proactive step in bridging the gap between academic understanding and practical workplace application.

Key Segments Of The Conclave:

Special Address by Mr. Vinod Agrawal

Mr. Vinod Agrawal, Co-Chairman, CII-WR-Sub Committee on International Trade, and Managing Director of Arunaya Organics Ltd, delivered a special address focusing on international trade and its intersection with gender diversity. His wealth of experience provided a valuable perspective on how gender inclusion could benefit not only domestic markets but also international business dealings. His insights offered practical takeaways for participants, emphasizing how inclusivity can be a driving force in global trade success.

Session on the PoSH Act, 2013

Ms. Yogita B. Ahuja, Chairperson of CII IWN-Gujarat and Director of Storycircle Edusaarthi India Pvt Ltd, shed light on the importance of the PoSH Act 2013 and its implementation in ensuring safer workplaces and gender diversity in the workplace.

What Is PosH act 2013?

The PoSH Act 2013 stands for the Prevention of Sexual Harassment at the workplace. It is an Indian law designed to protect individuals, especially women, from sexual harassment while they are at work.

The law mandates that companies and organizations must take active steps to prevent such incidents by setting up clear policies and guidelines. It also requires them to have a proper system in place to handle complaints of harassment.

Understanding the PoSH Act was critical, as it protected individuals from harassment, thereby creating a more dignified and respectful work culture. This session empowered organizations to understand their legal responsibilities and the necessity of implementing robust anti-harassment policies.

Panel Discussion: Promoting Gender Diversity & Equity

A core feature of the event was the panel discussion moderated by Dr. Shivangi Shukla (Associate Professor, Narayana Business School). It featured prominent academic and industry leaders like Dr. Noopur Surti, Ms. Radhika Bhandari, and Dr. Miti Randeri. The discussion explored gender diversity in the workplace, sharing real-world insights from both academia and industry.

Topics included barriers to inclusion, strategies for overcoming biases, and the crucial role of male allies in supporting gender diversity. The panelists provided actionable solutions and inspired attendees to rethink their approaches to fostering inclusive environments.

Student Presentations on Gender-Inclusive Practices

Students were actively involved through research presentations, ensuring that future leaders were part of the ongoing conversation. This segment provided insights into the latest trends and practices in gender inclusion, offering the audience actionable strategies to implement within their organizations. These presentations showcased innovative approaches from the younger generation and underscored the importance of integrating gender diversity at all levels of business and academia.

The Role of Gender Diversity in Shaping Future Leaders

For any organization, fostering an inclusive environment is not just about hiring more women—it’s about creating policies and a culture that encourages equal opportunities for growth. Generation cohesion is vital to the workplace as workplaces become more diverse, gender diversity in the workplace is imperative, future leaders must be equipped with the knowledge and empathy to manage and thrive in such environments.

The Gender Diversity & Inclusion Conclave 2024 offers a platform for such discussions. Attendees will learn about:

• Breaking Societal Norms: One of the aspects of gender diversity is Addressing deep-rooted societal expectations and traditional gender roles that prevent women from participating fully in the workforce.
• Workplace Biases: Acknowledging both conscious and unconscious biases that limit women's career progression and discussing actionable solutions.
• Policies for Gender Inclusion: Promoting flexible work arrangements, comprehensive parental leave, mentorship programs, and more to ensure the retention and advancement of women.
• The Importance of Male Allies: Encouraging male colleagues and leaders to advocate for gender diversity initiatives and be active participants in fostering an inclusive culture.

Diversity parameters only encompass gender ethnicities and culture. The ripple effects of the conclave are expected to be far-reaching. Attendees departed not just with enhanced knowledge, but with a burning passion to be the architects of a more equitable future. By targeting the next generation of leaders, the event has sown the seeds for a workplace revolution.

The economic imperative for this change is clear. McKinsey Global Institute estimates that advancing women's equality in India could add a staggering $770 billion to the country's GDP by 2025.

The Gender Diversity & Inclusion Conclave 2024 has laid the groundwork for realizing this immense potential.

As the conclave concluded, the air was charged with a palpable sense of possibility. Narayana Business School and CII IWN Gujarat has ignited a movement. The torch has been passed to a new generation of leaders, poised to transform India's workplaces into the best examples of equality and inclusion.