The first step for empowering women starts at home when parents give equal opportunities to their sons and daughters to pursue education and the freedom to take decisions, said Ms. Neena Nigam, Director-General of Income Tax (Investigation) for Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
Ms. Nigam, who spent 80% of her career in the hot seat in the investigation role, said she was in the present position as she could perform it successfully. Women have to shed the notion, and hesitation, that they might not be able to work on a par with men.
“But it is a fact that women have to work harder to gain recognition, while a man will get the same recognition without putting in an equal amount of work,” she said.
Speaking at a seminar, “Women empowerment is empowering India’’, organised by the Federation of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry to mark International Women’s Day on March 8 here on Tuesday, she reminded the gathering that Constitution gave equal rights to men and women and women should take up any challenging role, while keeping their dignity.
Her advice to women was to give their best in whichever field they worked and that would truly empower them. Educated women who were aware of their rights should spread that awareness as there were millions of women in the country who were not even aware of their basic rights.
Ms. Usha Shankar, Assistant General Manager, SBI, felt that men and women were equal but with different abilities, and there was no need to compete with one another.
Explaining the MUDRA scheme for women entrepreneurs, she said women beneficiaries should shed the notion that bank loans given for government-sponsored schemes need not be repaid. If women wanted to start any small economic activity, they should repay the loan sincerely, banks have enough schemes to help such women.
Ms. Ambika, Senior Account Manager and Influencer Specialist, Ad Unit Plus, spoke on digital marketing.
Earlier, FTAPCCI president Gowra Srinivas, Ms. Bhagawati Mahesh Baldwa, chairperson, Women in Business Committee, FTAPCCI, and Nisheetha Agarwal, member, spoke.
