5 reasons you should not miss the HerStory Women on A Mission Summit

In 1993, a constitutional amendment reserving 33 percent of seats for women in India’s lower legislative bodies was proposed.

I was in school and the former election commissioner Dr TN Seshan was invited for our Guest Speaker Programme. In the Q&A session that followed, it was inevitable that his opinion on the matter was sought.

Voicing his support, he said that it was hardly his place to oppose the Bill, when even in the ‘Divine Cabinet’, women held the most important portfolios for any nation – Goddess Lakshmi held Finance, Goddess Saraswati was in charge of Education, and Goddess Kali helmed Defence.

The applause following this statement was thunderous; however, it’s now the stuff of anecdotes, and reality is a little different.

Fast forward 26 years, and the fate of the Bill still hangs in limbo with most parties opposing it. The story of India’s economy and the role women have been encouraged to play in it is not very different. The irony lies in the fact that despite the economy having doubled in size and there are fewer women participating in the workforce than in 2005.

According to The Economist, the female employment rate in India, (both formal and informal), declined to 26 percent in 2018 from 35 percent in 2005.

This despite the fact that the number of working-age women increased nearly 25 percent to 470 million. Perception, culture and what we are being taught lies at the root of the problem.

A leading newspaper reported a few years ago that textbooks in Chhattisgarh stated that working women were the reason for unemployment in the country as it left fewer jobs for men.

And it is these perceptions that the HerStory Women On A Mission Summit is hoping to change. That change begins when we celebrate and recognise women from different fields who will influence more women into joining, continuing, and growing in the workforce. From startups, corporate entities, art & culture, entertainment, governances, the event will recognise women from all walks of life and celebrate their achievements.

Need more convincing? Here are five reasons you should attend the Women on a Mission Summit on March 6, 2019 in Bengaluru.

1. The numbers speak for themselves: According to a 2015 McKinsey report, if female workforce participation (FWP) were to increase by 10 percent, it would add $700 billion to India’s GDP by 2025. Additionally, if women were equally represented as their male colleagues, India’s economy would see a 27 percent increase in GDP, higher than anywhere else in the world. Women are desirous of starting up, and becoming entrepreneurs but there are many challenges in their path - like lack of resources, access to funding, and inherent biases.

2.   Meet the change makers: There is an impressive line up of speakers, including author and philanthropist Sudha Murthy; Bengaluru’s Inspector General of Police Roopa Moudgil; transgender activist Gauri Sawant; women CEOs such as Revathi Roy, investors, and skilling enablers like Shipra Bhutani , industry experts from Infosys and PayPal, decision makers and senior government officials.

3.   Listen and be heard: Come be a part of specially curated events including fireside chats, panel discussions, story-telling sessions, special exhibits, masterclasses, and keynote sessions. Hear what the people spearheading change are saying on diversity entrepreneurship, leadership, surviving against the odds, and be inspired.

4.   An unprecedented gathering: More than 500 influencers will be attending the summit. This is your chance to meet and interact with those who are working to redefine the workforce with their contributions and impact. So many extraordinary women…and all under one roof.

5.   It’s your chance to shine: We’ve saved the best for last. The summit will include a special awards ceremony, and you have a chance to walk away with top honours. So if you think you are on a mission or know someone who has been an inspiration, then you must apply to the Women on a Mission Awards 2019.

You can find a complete list of the categories and apply here.

Come join the Mission for change. When everyone participates, half a population’s hopes become reality.

Register now for the Women on A Mission Summit happening at the Lalit Ashok in Bengaluru on March 6, 2019.