International Women's Day 2024 Live Updates: Women Leaders on "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress."

Nidhi Mehra, Co-founder, Myplan8

As a co-founder of Myplan8, I'm inspired by the resilience and ingenuity of women entrepreneurs in India. Their strategic approaches to building profitable ventures align closely with our mission to empower organizations towards sustainability and growth.

Women entrepreneurs often excel in diversifying into underserved markets, leveraging digital platforms, and prioritizing sustainability practices. We should celebrate their commitment to innovation, networking, and collaboration, recognizing the profound impact these strategies have on fostering profitability and empowerment within their ventures.

We're dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs on their journey to success, offering solutions that align with their values and aspirations. Through our platform, we aim to provide the tools, resources, and connections necessary to drive sustainable growth and profitability in their businesses.

Together, we can harness the power of entrepreneurship to create a brighter, more inclusive future for all.

Priyanka Chigurupati, Executive Director, Granules India Ltd.

"As we commemorate International Women's Day, it's important to recognize the strides we have made towards gender equality yet acknowledge that we have miles to go. In the pharmaceutical industry, we are at a pivotal moment where the underrepresentation of women, especially in leadership roles, highlights a deeper systemic challenge. It necessitates a collective shift in our approach, encompassing strategies, mentorship programs, and policies designed to empower women. At Granules, we are committed to driving workforce diversity, not just as a moral imperative but as a strategic investment in the future of our industry and the global economy. By fostering an inclusive environment, promoting work-life balance, and advocating for transparent promotion processes, we aim to dismantle barriers and create an inclusive landscape where every talented individual, irrespective of their gender, has the opportunity to thrive. Supporting women across their life stages and career paths is not just important—it's essential for innovation, growth, and societal progress. We encourage others in the industry to develop more robust policies that will promote equality. Addressing these issues collectively will be fundamental for creating a thriving industry that values competence over gender."

Dr Suruchi Aggarwal, PhD - Head - Scientific Affairs, MedGenome

Born in the picturesque state of Himachal Pradesh, my journey from a humble upbringing to the pinnacle of genomic exploration is a testament to resilience and determination. Securing the top rank in the entrance examination for the Masters in Human Genomics at the esteemed National Centre for Human Genome Studies and Research marked a turning point in my life. With distinction and a coveted gold medal, the horizon unfolded before me. From that moment onward, I delved into the enigmatic world of genomic exploration.

Reflecting on this odyssey, I am acutely aware of the unique challenges faced by women in India. Balancing the demands of family life with a career in genetics has been a formidable task for me, yet with every hurdle surmounted, I emerged stronger. Navigating the complexities of marriage and family life during my Ph.D. was no small feat, and doubts occasionally clouded my path. Yet, with the unwavering support of my husband, I found the strength to persevere.

The journey became even more intricate with the responsibilities of motherhood. Caring for a young child while contemplating a return to work presented daunting challenges. However, my determination refused to let my dreams slip away. With courage, I joined MedGenome Labs, where the road ahead was fraught with juggling work commitments and the needs of my son. Yet, each passing day saw me finding my footing and carving a niche in the genetics landscape.

My time at MedGenome has been transformative. Guided by mentors who recognized my potential, I have flourished beyond imagination. As the Head of Scientific Affairs at MedGenome, I am now dedicated to paying it forward. I support and cultivate female talent through mentoring, investing in training & development initiatives and support flexible work arrangements to accommodate the diverse needs of female employees, particularly those balancing caregiving responsibilities with their careers. On this International Women's Day, I celebrate the strength, perseverance, and achievements of women who, against all odds, continue to shape the future."

International Women’s Day 2024: 10 Tips Every Woman Should Follow For a Healthy Life

International Women's Day is not only a celebration of women's achievements but also an opportunity to reflect on issues affecting women worldwide, including their health and well-being. In honor of this day, it's crucial to highlight the importance of prioritizing health and empowering women with the knowledge and tools to lead healthy lives. Read more... 

Vedha Gogineni & Sai Sudha Gogineni

What Womanhood means to us, having had the privilege of graduating from IIT Kharagpur and working in reputable MNCs, and establishing Earthful a startup, we realized that many women lack such opportunities. Earthful has become a platform that offers ambitious women a chance to work, grow, and contribute. Our team comprises passionate women committed to creating a meaningful impact. We drive a lot of happiness by being job creators and working with a team of talented individuals. Enabling women to become financially independent is a very satisfying part of our business.

Our wishes to all Women around on this International Women’s Day!

Suneetha Quershi, President of M Square Media

The leadership landscape is transforming, and it's clear that women are not just participants but pivotal drivers of this change. Women bring unique perspectives, empathy, and resilience to leadership roles, qualities that are increasingly recognized as essential for navigating today's complex global challenges.

My vision is for a world where women's leadership is not an exception but a norm. To achieve this, we need to dismantle the systemic barriers that limit women's advancement and champion policies and practices that support women's leadership at all levels. By doing so, we not only achieve gender equality but also enrich our decision-making processes to build inclusive and sustainable societies.

Monalisha Thakur, Co-founder & CMO of Tummoc

"Investing in women from all walks of life goes beyond the boundaries of fairness and equality; it’s a stepping stone towards economic growth and the advancement of our society.

Empowering women with equal access to opportunities, education and resources is not just an act of balancing inequality– it's a strategy that lifts communities towards prosperity.

Women, when given the chance, can bring different perspectives and innovative solutions – enriching our society as a whole and acting as a catalyst for sustainable development.

We must understand that women need to be empowered in order to create a more inclusive, equitable and thriving future for us all.

This approach to empowerment sets the stage for long term transformation in our society and only has benefits for us all."

Neha Bahri, Founder, Bconnect Communications

The inconsistency in pay parity and marginal women in leadership with this year’s theme 'Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress' by the UN is certainly true to capture the outlook of the marketing communications and public relations sector at large. More women in the sectors’ entry and mid-level job roles are seen across the sector yet are not compensated equally as compared to their male counterparts.

Moreover, the women in leadership, i.e., at the CXO level, majorly remain marginal basis the pre-empted notion of women tending to be primary caregivers, despite the activism that has been doing rounds globally to abolish societal gender roles. Let’s together call out, how much women can contribute beyond giving care on a personal front and contribute integrally to the development of the society at large.

As the Founder of Bconnect Communications, I strongly believe in "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress" wherein a majority of my marcom agency’s operations are led by women. Moreover, gender equality remains paramount at Bconnect wherein all our employees irrespective of their gender, are remunerated and compensated with benefits equally. Together, we at Bconnect are driving marcom for leading IT and ITES, Hospitality brands, Automobile players, fintech firms, and much more.

I ensure that my actions empower more women within and outside the organization through mentorship, facilitating access to resources, and building supportive networks for women leaders and entrepreneurs.

I am dedicated to empowering women from the belief that their success is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic investment in building a more inclusive world. I strive to recognize the transformative potential of investing in women and accelerate progress towards gender equality.

Anjali K Gupta, Director, Next-Gen Media & Communications

“As a Publicist and Founder of Next-Gen Media and Communications, I'm deeply moved by the United Nations' theme for International Women's Day 2024: 'Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.' This powerful call to action underscores the urgent need to address economic disempowerment and advance gender equality. Our commitment to this cause is unwavering, as we believe that investing in women is not just a moral imperative but also a strategic imperative for societal progress.

This year's campaign theme, 'Inspire Inclusion,' speaks volumes about the importance of diversity and empowerment across all sectors. Inclusion is not just about creating opportunities; it's about recognizing and valuing the unique perspectives and contributions of every individual, regardless of gender, race, or background. At Next Gen Media and Communications, we embody this ethos wholeheartedly. Most of our employees and freelancers are not only some but are from different states, different backgrounds, reflecting our steadfast belief in supporting and uplifting every single individual in the workforce.

Gloria Steinem's timeless words serve as a poignant reminder that the fight for gender equality is a collective effort. It belongs to all of us who care about human rights and social justice. As we celebrate International Women's Day, let us recommit ourselves to this noble cause and do everything in our power to uplift and empower women worldwide.

Together, let's make International Women's Day not just a day of celebration, but a day of action. Let's leverage our platforms, networks, and resources to advocate for change and create a more equitable and inclusive world for future generations. Because when we invest in women, we accelerate progress for all."

Archana Bhambal, Technical Director Inclusion Programmes

“At Sightsavers India, we work towards unlocking the abilities and potential of women with visual impairment through avenues for education and self-empowerment. Our Programmes serve as blocks to building bridges of empowerment.

This Women’s Day, let’s celebrate with a vision of inclusion, where every woman's journey is acknowledged, supported, valued, and celebrated.”