In spite of the progress the Indian industry has made over the years one thing that is still lacking is the rise of women entrepreneurs beyond the middle management positions.
This is going to be one of the thrust areas of Indian Women Network (IWN), the women wing of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). As part of its endeavour to nurture leadership qualities among women entrepreneurs willing and qualified to take up positions on the Board of Directors, IWN has recently tied up with the Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad, to provide the requisite training, said V. Nagalakshmi, first chairperson of IWN’s Andhra Pradesh chapter.
Speaking to The Hindu, Ms. Nagalakshmi said women entrepreneurs either leave decision-making roles to men or there is just not enough number of them to make their mark at the helm of affairs.
The new Companies Act of 2013 made appointment of at least one woman and two independent directors mandatory but companies are unable to find women who fit in those roles.
“The IWN has therefore tied up with ISB for providing necessary guidance to women interested in climbing up the corporate ladder. Basically, such businesswomen are to be identified and like all career-women, they have to be imparted the skills that help them in overcoming the hurdles which seem to be insurmountable due to mindset,” she observed.
Scene in Japan
Ms. Nagalakshmi, one of the 20-member delegation of Indian career-women that visited Japan on a study tour, said the situation was slightly better there but a lot more remained to be done.
One good thing in Japan is companies having women-friendly policies and the ones which implemented them in letter and spirit get rewards. India has made a beginning in that direction but it takes time for the desired results to come”, said Ms. Nagalakshmi, who is Joint Managing Director of city-based IMIS Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd.
The IWN attached due priority to women safety and security in view of the sexual harassment at work places and the physical attacks taking place all around, Ms. Nagalakshmi.
There are yet not many takers for the Stand-Up India scheme targeted at for SC/ST and women entrepreneurs for obvious reasons, she added.
