XLRI hosts an online event to raise awareness and advocate for women's empowerment

By: WE Staff | Wednesday, 23 February 2022

XLRI Centre for Gender Equality and Inclusive Leadership (CGEIL) hosted an online session to raise awareness and advocate for women's empowerment.

The keynote speaker was Liselotte Waldheim Natural, a former senior international civil servant, seasoned leader, and unwavering advocate for women, girls, and gender equality. The first session focused on inclusive leadership and addressed critical concerns of gender equality.

“It takes active involvement of men and women to progress the motive of gender equality. You have to grab every opportunity you have, you should never shy away thinking that this kind of work is not cut out for me,” she said.

She also spoke about her own professional experience and what it takes for a woman to be recognised in her field. "What should a female applicant do if her work is rejected by a male boss?" enquired one of the audience members. “It is something that we have to accept and try to prove them wrong with our hard work and good work. Your male boss will accept it. Even though they don’t, your hard work will definitely pay you in the long run. I have myself transferred to jobs. You have to be open to opportunities, and jump on to them whenever needed. You must be a fighter.”

Dramatically, CGEIL has set a lofty aim for itself: to significantly expand women's labour force participation in the next 5-10 years by smart and broad-based interventions. "As a first step, we have set up the CGEIL and started our sessions too, and we aim to build a world-class centre of excellence in years to come," says, Fr. Paul Fernandes, the XLRI director.

Journalist Alka Raza, who was recently appointed as chairperson of CGEIL said, “CGEIL aims at covering the existing challenges and obstacles to women empowerment, peace and security and will be hosting monthly events throughout the year. My experience over the years has taught me that it is our need and duty to reach out to those who live in underprivileged circumstances. We must recognize women for their role and contribution they have been making for centuries."