womens conference by CII in Mumbai, March 8

[Guest guest]

The Women’s Conference being organised by Confideration of Indian

Industry. (CII). To attend email lalita.nayak (AT) ciionline (DOT) org

Redefining the role of the Woman

8 March 2004: Hotel InterContinental The Grand

Concept Note

Some early scholars argued that women didn't act in history or produce

intellectual products (literature, art, philosophy, etc.) because they weren't

as capable as men. By the twentieth century apologists insisted women were of

course intelligent enough, they'd just been thwarted. The reason that important

women didn't exist in the past is that social constraints prevented women with

talent and innate superiority from succeeding.

Contemporary Scholars of the modern generation however state that tremendous

energy seems to have gone into the rediscovery of that energy which had guided

the Vedic ages where women were indeed a very active part of the public life.

Today Women are critical in achieving and maintaining sustainable development.

Persistent gender inequalities worldwide deprive women of a voice in

decision‑making that impacts on our development. Sustainable development

requires actions that fully integrate economic, social, political and

environmental factors. And the goals of sustainable development can be met if

policies, actions, attitudes and social framework could be premised. And that

could be done if creative platforms for women are created. For it is been

proven that countries that enact specific measures to protect women's rights

and increase their access to resources and education have less corruption and

achieve faster economic growth. Gender equality is a prerequisite for achieving

that sustainable development.

The present market‑led economic paradigm has resulted in women taking the

lead in prioritising social development by promoting an integrated approach to

issues such as crime, gender bias, illiteracy, prejudice, mindsets, and

orthodoxy. Women also have penetrated areas such as Finance, Technology,

Banking, Science, Sports etc by pioneering decisions like community colleges,

funding supports etc.

Though home making and marriage are still the priority, working women today

elicit more respect than they did a couple of years ago. Many women work today

not only to supplement the family income but also to retain their individual

identity. It gives them self-esteem and broadens their horizon immeasurably.

The realization that women make better managers and businesswomen has just

about come to the notice of the Corporate and business houses. Women due to

their inherent perspective bring wholeness and a human touch which creates

wonders in the marketing world.

Armed with this knowledge and coinciding with International Women’s Day on

8th March 2003, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) jointly with the

Government of Maharashtra in its first ever endeavor is trying to create an

international platform which would serve as a meeting ground for women who

could act as role models and for women and men who aspire to become powerful

like them. It is an effort that wants to portray women as creators, architects

and strategists of a world that one could define as Utopia. For a nation can

succeed only if the better half of the population is enterprising and

encouraged to create an ambiance that can innovate and lead in not just wealth

creation but also define the outlines of a society that could have an outlook

that would be the ideal and progressive for Society.

To attend please contact Ms.Lalita Nayak, Conference Cell, Confederation of

Indian Industry, 105, Kakkad chambers, 132, Dr. Annie Beasant Road, Worli,

Mumbai 400 018. Tel : (B) 24931790, 24930565 Fax: 24939463, 24945831

Email: lalita.nayak (AT) ciionline (DOT) org

cheers om sanjeev