Indeed, making an organization inclusive is not essentially about increasing the number of women; rather, it involves creating policies and a culture that foster equal opportunities for growth. Future leaders must not only navigate these changes but also actively contribute to creating inclusive environments and gender diversity in the workplace.
The Result? A newborn child in lieu of collaboration between Narayana Business School and CII Indian Women Network. A conclave born out of the emergence and calling in today’s time.
The Gender Diversity and Inclusion Conclave 2024 or DE&I conclave held on 21st September 2024, served as a pivotal platform for addressing these critical issues, bringing together visionaries, industry leaders, and aspiring change-makers. The conclave highlighted the necessity of safe, dignified, and inclusive workplaces. For students entering the workforce and professionals seeking career advancement, understanding and engaging in this transformation is essential.
Why Gender Diversity Is Important In The Workplace
Gender diversity is not merely a moral obligation; it represents a significant economic opportunity. At the NBS Conclave, experts underscored that advancing women’s equality could add up to $770 billion to India’s GDP by 2025.
Despite this potential, disparities persist.
According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2024, India has slipped two places in the global rankings to 129th in 2024 from 127th in 2023 out of 146 countries for women’s economic participation and opportunity.
Moreover, a 2020 Deloitte survey revealed that 60% of Indian organizations have fewer than 10% of women in senior management roles. The conclave urged participants to take on leadership roles in fostering inclusive work environments, emphasizing the urgent need to change this narrative.
Indian Women In The Workforce: Higher Education Enrollment
The NBS Conclave featured discussions on the remarkable progress Indian women have made, particularly in education. Women now outnumber men in higher education enrollment, Gender Parity Index (GPI), the ratio of female GER to male GER is 1.01 in 2021-22.
GPI has continued to be above 1 since 2017-18 i.e., female GER continues to be more than male GER for fifth consecutive year according to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2021-2022. However, this educational achievement hasn’t translated into equal workforce participation.
The conclave explored the reasons behind this disconnect, revealing that India’s female labor force participation rate has plummeted from 30.27% in 1990 to just 20.8% in 2019.
Key social, cultural, and economic factors, including societal expectations and workplace biases, continue to hinder women’s progress.
Gender Diversity And Inclusion Conclave: Highlights
Special Address By Mr. Vinod Agrawal
Mr. Vinod Agrawal, Co-Chairman of the CII-WR Sub Committee on International Trade and Managing Director of Arunaya Organics Ltd, delivered an insightful special address that explored the intersection of international trade and gender diversity. Drawing from his extensive experience, Mr. Agrawal highlighted how gender inclusion can significantly enhance both domestic markets and international business operations.
Session on the PoSH Act, 2013
In a compelling session, Ms. Yogita B. Ahuja, Chairperson of CII IWN-Gujarat and Director of Storycircle Edusaarthi India Pvt Ltd, emphasized the critical role of the PoSH Act 2013 in creating safer workplaces. She outlined the importance of effective implementation of this legislation in promoting gender diversity within organizations.
Panel Discussion on Promoting Gender Diversity, Equity And Inclusion
A highlight of the event was the panel discussion moderated by Dr. Shivangi Shukla, Associate Professor at Narayana Business School. This engaging discussion featured esteemed academic and industry leaders, including Dr. Noopur Surti, Ms. Radhika Bhandari, and Dr. Miti Randeri. Together, they explored various facets of gender diversity in the workplace, sharing valuable real-world insights from both academia and industry.
Key topics included:
- Barriers to Inclusion: Identifying obstacles that hinder gender diversity.
- Strategies for Overcoming Biases: Practical methods to counteract ingrained biases in organizational cultures.
- The Role of Male Allies: Discussing how male leaders can actively support and advocate for gender diversity initiatives.
The panelists provided actionable solutions and inspired attendees to rethink their approaches to fostering inclusive environments in their workplaces.
Student Presentations On Gender Inclusive Practices (Practical Approach)
At our B School, we are committed to equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary for success in their academic and professional journeys.
All in all, one of the major takeaways from the NBS Gender Diversity & Inclusion Conclave was the importance of gender diversity in shaping the future of leadership.
Participants discussed how true inclusion goes beyond simply hiring more women—it requires building a culture and policies that promote equal opportunities for everyone. Future leaders must be equipped with the empathy and knowledge needed to thrive in increasingly diverse workplaces.
PoSH and Its Importance, Studies Around PoSH (2024 Updated)
During the NBS Gender Diversity & Inclusion Conclave, updated studies from 2024 were presented, highlighting the progress made in implementing PoSH policies.
The reports showed that organizations adhering to PoSH guidelines experienced improvements in workplace morale, employee retention, and overall organizational trust. However, speakers noted that challenges remain, particularly in sectors where awareness of PoSH laws is still low.
Another major focus of the Narayana Business School Conclave was the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act (PoSH) of 2013.
This law, designed to safeguard employees, particularly women, from workplace harassment, was a key topic in a session led by experts who stressed its importance in creating safer and more dignified workplaces.
The PoSH Act mandates that all organizations with 10 or more employees must establish an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) to handle sexual harassment complaints. At the NBS Conclave, industry leaders discussed the need for stricter implementation of the PoSH guidelines, particularly in smaller companies and rural areas, where compliance is often lagging.
Positive Impacts Of PoSH Act: Benefits Of PoSH Training
Proposed amendments in 2024 suggest extending the time limit for filing complaints from three months to one year, which could provide victims with more time to process their experiences and seek justice.
Additionally, removing the conciliation process could help prevent any undue pressure on victims to settle matters informally, thereby promoting thorough investigations.
Recent Supreme Court rulings emphasize the importance of correctly constituting Internal Committees and enhancing accessibility to complaint mechanisms.
The PoSH Act has fostered greater awareness about sexual harassment in workplaces. It mandates the formation of Internal Committees (ICs) in organizations with ten or more employees, making it easier for victims to report incidents. This has led to more women feeling empowered to come forward with their complaints
Since its enactment, the PoSH Act has significantly influenced workplace culture, a point reiterated during the Gender Diversity Conclave. Companies that have fully embraced the law report higher employee satisfaction and trust. The conclave highlighted how such policies not only protect employees but also contribute to a positive, inclusive environment that fosters professional growth.
NBS Trains Students For Gender Diversity In The Workplace
The Narayana Business School Gender Diversity in the workplace Conclave is just one example of how the institution is taking a leadership role in promoting gender diversity and inclusion. By hosting events like this and collaborating with organizations such as CII IWN Gujarat, Narayana Business School is helping to shape the next generation of leaders who will create more inclusive and equitable workplaces.
The NBS Conclave featured special addresses from thought leaders, including a deep dive into the PoSH Act, as well as panel discussions on gender diversity and real-world examples of overcoming workplace biases. The school’s commitment extends beyond hosting events—it actively engages students through mentorship programs, internships, and research presentations that aim to create a pipeline of diverse talent ready to lead.
Conclusion: Join The Inclusion Revolution Sparked By The Conclave At NBS
Narayana Business School with its conclave on 21st September has made it clear: the future of work is diverse, inclusive, and equitable. As the event concluded, participants left with not only greater awareness but also a commitment to act. Whether through small changes in their own workplaces or larger advocacy efforts, the next generation of leaders will be responsible for creating work environments where everyone, regardless of gender, can thrive.
Ask yourself: Are we ready to unlock the full potential of gender diversity in the workplace? The lessons from the NBS Gender Diversity Conclave urge us to act now.
Together, we can build safer, more inclusive workplaces that benefit all.
