Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi urged women, who believed they could be more than a homemaker, to go out and do something for society.
Addressing a gathering of women students, professionals and homemakers at the first interactive session of the Coimbatore Chapter of Indian Women Network (IWN) of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here on Friday, Ms. Bedi said that while it was true that Indian women were hitting the glass ceiling early, with a change in mindset of men, they would be able to break this ceiling.
“We should not expect this mindset to be initiated by one woman or a profession. Expecting a mother or a woman teacher alone to bring about a change in the upbringing of boys and girls is not justified. Anyone or any job can be an agent of change,” Ms. Bedi said.
Answering a query on why women had to always sacrifice something to achieve something, Ms. Bedi said that if the sacrifice was done voluntarily, it was a choice made by the woman, but if imposed, it was a sacrifice. “Whether you make a sacrifice or choice is in your hands,” she added.
Explaining the activities of the Coimbatore Chapter of IWN, its zonal convener S. Malarvizhi, chairperson of Sri Krishna Institutions, said this was the fourth chapter in the State after Chennai, Madurai and Tiruchi, with a total membership of 600.
“The IWN is a platform for providing information and training for better opportunities for women students, homemakers and professionals. To begin with, there will be a monthly session, which will also be open to interested non-members, on a select theme,” she said.
The recently launched Coimbatore Chapter had nearly 100 members and was open to adding to the membership.
Ravi Sam, vice-chairman of CII Tamil Nadu State Council, and K. Ilango, vice-chairman, CII Coimbatore Zone, spoke.
