Women Rising: The Unseen Barriers in Power, Politics & Otherwise

Chennai, 4th September at The Leela Palace

FICCI FLO Chennai had the distinct honor of hosting Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman, for an insightful keynote address and an engaging discussion with Ms. Sudha Shivakumar, Immediate Past National President of FLO, and Chairperson Ms. Divya Abhishek. The event centered around the barriers women face in leadership roles across industries, politics, and society, while offering strategies to overcome these challenges.

Nirmala Sitharaman, a dynamic leader and the first full-time female Finance Minister of India, discussed the government’s initiatives aimed at empowering women, especially at the grassroots level. She emphasized the significant growth of women on corporate boards, particularly in Tamil Nadu, where women directors in active companies have increased fourfold. Highlighting women’s achievements, Sitharaman pointed out that the number of women judges in India has grown, with over 160 in high courts and two in the Supreme Court, including 11 in the Madras High Court. The Minister proudly spoke of the ‘Lakhpati Didis,’ a movement where over one crore women have become financially independent through self-help groups and skill development.

She also shed light on the role of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), where 300 centers across India are training women in modern technologies like drone usage in farming, equipping them with the skills needed to contribute to the economy. Sitharaman underlined the importance of policies like the Women’s Reservation Bill, the first to be passed in India’s new Parliament, in securing women’s advancement in public life.

The moderated discussion delved into Sitharaman’s passion for helping women, not just in urban settings but at the grassroots level. She discussed the invisible ceilings women face, asserting that overcoming these barriers requires both policy interventions and a societal shift in attitudes. She stressed the importance of mentorship, education, and support networks in helping women rise to leadership positions and highlighted the need for women to be represented in emerging fields such as Artificial Intelligence, calling on FICCI FLO to play a pioneering role in this endeavor.

In an illuminating Q&A, Sitharaman shared her thoughts on emotional intelligence, asserting that men and women face similar emotional challenges, with women poised to catch up as they gain more exposure and experience in leadership roles. The session concluded with a rapid-fire round of questions, where her humor and straightforward responses left the audience impressed and energized.

The event, widely praised for its thoughtful discussions, was a powerful reminder of the ongoing efforts needed to create an equitable landscape for women in all sectors. It drew extensive media attention and left attendees feeling inspired and hopeful for the future of women’s leadership in India.

Number of people impacted: There were nearly 462 attendees and 448 were women