New Delhi, July 31 (KNN) Top industry leaders said women must be encouraged to enter boardroom for business necessity rather than to fulfil a legal obligation. India needs to move away from stereotypes that define the role of men and women in industry and corporate world.

This sentiment was expressed today by industry leaders such as Founder, SpiceJet, Ajay Singh; Executive Vice Chairman, Fortis Healthcare Ltd, Shivinder Mohan Singh and Chairman and Managing Director, Havells India Ltd, Anil R Gupta at a session on 'How Women Influence Corporate Decisions' organised by Young FICCI Ladies Organisation (YFLO) here on Wednesday.

Ajay Singh said Women possess a balanced view and are better at management and added that they also showcase higher integrity than their male counterparts and possess the ability to innovate.

He urged women to enhance their technical capabilities and equip themselves with business acumen by imbibing new technologies to become effective contributors in a boardroom.
Shivinder Mohan Singh said the need is for women to display confidence and project their true capability. He also underlined how women are apprehensive to take up a transferrable job because they do not have the freedom to talk about their career decisions.

Women have been moving places to enhance their husbands’ career, now it is time for men to support and move with their wives to her job destinations, he added.

Presenting a view of the manufacturing sector, Anil Gupta said that manufacturing industry is male dominated and women are not encouraged to join it in a big way. Women were being enabled to realize their potential, were being provided with a safe environment to work in and engaged in business’ decision-making process.

At Havells, women form around 18 per cent of the workforce, which is higher than the industry’s average of 10 per cent. Hence, there is a need to create awareness about opportunities in the manufacturing sector, he added.

President, FLO, Archana Garodia Gupta said that studies have shown that three women are required to change boardroom dynamics, allowing them to become more vocal and their voices to be heard.

Women are supposed to bring diversity which prevents group think, and brings additional perspective to any decision. Besides improving performance, it also improves corporate governance, as women tend to do the “right” thing more often, she added.

The panel was moderated by Advisor, Public Engagement and Public Diplomacy, FICCI, Mr. Pranjal Sharma. (KNN Bureau)