Private sector engagement crucial for bringing Gender Diversity into the practice, minister and bureaucrat deliberate at the third CII IWN Leaderpreneurship Conclave

The third edition of the Leaderpreneurship Conclave was organized by CII IWN West Bengal Chapter in Kolkata with the theme of Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.

The inauguration was graced by Dr. Shashi Panja, Hon’ble Minister-in-Charge, Departments of Industries, Commerce & Enterprises and Women and Child Development and Social Welfare, Government of West Bengal, and other eminent guests.

According to Dr. Panja, the government is putting a lot of effort into supporting female entrepreneurs through various programs. She stressed the significance of private sector participation in creating a gender-diverse West Bengal and supporting entrepreneur growth. When it comes to fostering the growth of female entrepreneurs, West Bengal has made tremendous strides. The development of Self Help Groups in the wake of the pandemic was aided by the introduction of Swayamsiddhaa, a women’s empowerment program, she continued.

According to Subir Chakraborty, Managing Director, and CEO of Exide Industries Limited, India still has a long way to go before it can truly achieve gender equality from every angle, including the business and social contexts.

A ‘Thought Leadership paper on Gender Diversity through ESG frameworks in India’ was unveiled at the conference.

The session on Leadership saw the presence of speakers like Nandini Khaitan, Khaitan & Co LLP, Nandini Basu, Vice President-Corporate Communication, ITC, Radhika Sehgal, Senior Vice President, HSBC, Anuradha Chaturvedi, Associate Partner, KPMG and Sushil Mohta, Chairman, Merlin Group.

The session on Entrepreneurship had speakers like Joita Sen, Managing Director, Senco Gold and Diamonds, Aakanksha Kaur, Director, JIS Group, Smita Chatterji, Group CEO, Centreax and Ajay Rawla, Chairman, The Rajbari Official.

Women’s leadership, the value of ESG in business, women entrepreneurs, and a discussion on unconscious prejudice were all topics of discussion during the Leaderpreneurship conference.

Priyanka Dutta