Women in the Cement Industry: Building a Sustainable Future

By: Vinita Singhania, Vice Chairperson & Managing Director, JK Lakshmi Cement Ltd

Vinita is a businesswoman and an industrialist with diversified and rich business experience spanning almost three decades. Throughout her professional journey, she has successfully handled a wide portfolio while leading the organization to adopt innovative approaches and expand its consumer base.

The Indian business ecosystem is swiftly evolving, particularly in terms of ensuring inclusivity and prioritizing the inclusion of women in the workforce. This shift is primarily driven by the contemporary competitive landscape, which values talent and commitment over gender bias. The evolving mindset is not only empowering women but also contributing to a more inclusive and diverse workforce.

A remarkable example of this transformation is evident in traditionally male-dominated sectors, such as construction, where women are steadily breaking barriers. Over the past few years, there has been a noticeable increase in women's participation and inclination towards the industry, challenging preconceived notions. Thanks to this positive trend, approximately 20 million women are today working in the sector, constituting half of the total workforce. Particularly, in the cement sector, women leaders are consistently showing their strong presence across departments.

Contrary to outdated perceptions, women have proven to be equally capable of handling the diverse tasks involved in cement manufacturing. From managing raw materials to operating complex machinery and handling administrative responsibilities, women have been successfully contributing to various facets of the industry. As a result, the industry has experienced improved productivity and efficiency.

Transforming the Business

Their entry into the cement industry has resulted in multifaceted advantages. Firstly, it has served as a crucial step towards bridging the gender gap and promoting much-needed gender equality within the sector. Breaking away from traditional norms, the industry has enriched itself with the diverse talents and capabilities that women bring to the table.

Secondly, the incorporation of women resulted in a workforce with varied perspectives and ideas that fostered a culture of creativity and innovation. This diversity translates into improved decision-making and problem-solving processes, contributing to the industry's overall resilience and adaptability.

Lastly, and equally significant, the inclusion of women has helped address the shortage of personnel within the industry by tapping into a previously underutilized pool of talent. This has not only benefited individual women seeking opportunities but also bolstered the industry's capacity to meet its operational demands.

Navigating Challenges Successfully

This encouraging and active participation of women in the cement industry has not been easy as they have encountered significant challenges. They faced various hurdles, including gender-based discrimination and social stigmatization. The lack of support from family and society further complicated their journey into this sector. Additionally, the work environment within cement plants presented specific hazards, involving exposure to dust, heat, and noise.

Undoubtedly, their firm determination, strength to fight odd situations, and knowledge helped them change the unfavorable into favorable. The decisions taken by cement companies in this regard are also commendable.

They are proactively empowering women by emphasizing education and supporting and encouraging higher learning opportunities. This strategic approach has been designed to unlock the full potential of women's leadership, fostering their ascent to executive and decision-making positions within the industry. By nurturing female talent through educational initiatives, the cement sector is undergoing a transformative shift, becoming a more equitable and innovative space that recognizes and harnesses the diverse strengths of its workforce.

Moreover, the Cement Manufacturers' Association (CMA) introduced the Women of Cement initiative to recognize the growing number of women at the forefront of the digital revolution in the industry. This initiative seeks to spotlight the diverse roles played by women and their significant contributions to the growth and development of the sector. This has encouraged women employees in the sector to aim high and attracted outsiders to join it. They are passionate about scripting their success stories.

Necessity of Creating a Friendly Environment

Despite our progress and increasing women's participation, only 2% of the executives in the sector are female which a concern is. The cement and infrastructure industry holds immense potential to harness the transformative power of women while changing leadership with increased women representation. To achieve this, they must consider implementing novel initiatives to raise awareness about opportunities in the sector and attract women living in Tier-II&III&IV cities. They can also offer flexibility through work-from-home or hybrid model to enable them to successfully manage their personal and professional responsibilities.

Most importantly, to ensure the successful integration of women into this industry, it’s critical to address safety concerns and create an environment that prioritizes the well-being of female professionals. This includes implementing measures to mitigate occupational hazards and fostering a workplace culture that supports the physical and mental health of women.

To contribute to India's pursuit of achieving the ambitious goal of becoming a Developed Nation by 2047, companies need to recognize and harness the untapped potential of women. With women possessing the ability to accelerate growth and contribute significantly to various goals, including those related to construction and infrastructure development, it becomes imperative for the cement sector to take on a pioneering role. Actively encouraging and empowering women in the workforce, can not only help India address its developmental challenges but also pave the way for a more inclusive and prosperous future.