Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Insights from the CII Centre for Women Leadership - The edge - The Inclusion and Competitiveness Summit

The question of whether the glass ceiling exists remains a topic of debate. However, the real question is: Are we actively working to dismantle it? For me, the answer is a resounding yes. Through continuous learning, unlearning, and gathering momentum, I strive to contribute to this cause in my own way.

When I received the invite from the Indian Women Network (IWN) of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for their recent conference at JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar, I knew it was an event I couldn't miss. The conference featured a power-packed lineup of elite global speakers and maintained the audience's engagement throughout the day.

Key Takeaways:

• Inclusion of Women-Led MSMEs in Global Value Chains: Discussions emphasized the importance of integrating women-led Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises into global value chains, highlighting opportunities and challenges.

• Fostering Inclusion in India's Infrastructure Sector: An all-women panel deliberated on the need for greater inclusion in the infrastructure sector. Insights from Ms. Heejin Ahn of the International Labour Organization (ILO) shed light on global experiences and the immense opportunities present in India and neighboring countries.

• DEI Initiatives and Business Outcomes: The conference underscored how Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives directly impact business outcomes, driving both innovation and profitability.

• Challenges for Women in Trading: Mitali Nikore shared her experiences highlighting the lack of structured support for women in the trading sector, pointing out areas needing attention and reform.

• The Leadership Advantage: Roshni Mukherji presented key findings from a survey benchmarking policies, practices, and commitments to women’s leadership across over 120 healthcare organizations in India. The report highlighted a strong link between women in leadership and better healthcare business outcomes, aiming to spark internal reflection and drive change.
• Logistics Sector Insights: Kathryn Moore discussed findings from a study funded by the Lodha Foundation and conducted by Even Cargo, focusing on access and barriers for women’s participation and growth in the logistics sector. The study emphasized the need for targeted interventions to enhance women's roles in logistics.
• Healthcare Leadership: The panel discussion on "Delivering the Double Bottom Line: Advancing Women’s Leadership and Strengthening Healthcare Systems," moderated by Yamini Atmavilas, Director at Dasra, brought together leading experts like Dr. Elton Ron Nathan, Dr. Sangeeta Pikale, Dr. @Sapna Purohit, and Major Dr. Ashlesha Tawde Kelkar. The panellists shared insights on building a more inclusive healthcare sector, underscoring the importance of taking ownership to advance equity. They emphasized that both individuals and organizations must lead the change by identifying barriers in recruitment and workplace culture, investing in supportive infrastructure, challenging biases, and creating pathways that enable women not just to participate, but to thrive and lead.

The conference was not just a series of discussions but a call to action. It reinforced the importance of connecting dots, inspiring individuals, and evoking the power within for mutual and inclusive growth.

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