The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry organized a Discussion Forum on “The Power of Gender Parity” on 26th June, 2018 in the Chamber premises. McKinsey & Company was a Knowledge Partner to this forum.

Ms. Namrata Dubeshi, Partner, McKinsey & Company; Dr. Rupali Basu, Chairperson Women Empowerment, The Bengal Chamber and Director (Non Executive) , IQ City Medical College and Narayana Multi-Specialty Hospital, Durgapur; Prof Nabinananda Sen, Associate Professor, Department of Business Management- University of Calcutta and many other senior corporate leadership attended the forum. Shri Arup Raha, Former Air Chief Marshal-PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC also graced the occasion.

Mr. Chandra Shekhar Ghosh, President, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomed Ms. Namrata Dubeshi, Partner, McKinsey & Company and other dignitaries. Mr. Subhodip Ghosh, Director General, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Ms. Angana Guha Roy Chowdhury, Deputy Director, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry were present from the Chamber.

The programme presented highlights from the new research of McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) on how India fares on gender parity compared to the Asia-Pacific Region, also identifying the challenges and opportunities. The objective of organizing this forum was to discuss how to reduce the gap in many countries, in the region on gender equality, both in work and in society.

It was a senior level deliberation with select senior representation from members and stakeholders of the Chamber. In the forum, the invitees brainstormed on the empowerment of women in workforce. It was discussed that the empowerment has to begin in household and mindset in the society has to be addressed to incorporate changing corporate. The agenda can not be addressed only by policy. Natural behavior also has to be promoted.

The excerpts of the discussion are mentioned below:-

Mr. Chandra Shekhar Ghosh, President, The Bengal Chamber and Managing Director and CEO, Bandhan Bank Limited highlighted that financial power is essential for social power. Financial independence enables a woman as a decision maker in the family and the society. He mentioned about equality in wage. He also mentioned that women utilize funds available to them in a more disciplined manner. Financial empowerment of women also has a positive impact on the health and education of the children who are the next generation. He also emphasized that change has to begin from the bottom.

Ms Namrata Dubeshi, Partner, McKinsey & Company, shared the highlights of the India Report of “The Power of Parity: Advancing Women’s Equality in Asia Pacific”. She emphasized that Women Agenda is not a CSR Agenda.It is an Economic Agenda. The focus needs to be on:

• Increase in number of women in work force.
• Increase the number of hours (from part time to full time-participation of women in work force).
• Improve the quality of job for women.

For Empowerment, the following aspects were identified:-

• Availability and access to essential services like Healthcare, Finance, Education and also Digital use among others.
• Opinion in politics.

The report suggests that the Gender Equality in work force cannot improved without the change in the society.

Shri Arup Raha, Former Air Chief Marshal-PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC shared insights of armed forces on the topic. It is encouraging to note that Indian Air force is now offering permanent positions to women in the fight force including pilots, engineers and others. Marine still has some restriction given the physical and psychological circumstances in sub marine.

Dr.Rupali Basu, Chairperson Women Empowerment, The Bengal Chamber and Director (Non Executive), IQ City Medical College and Narayana Multi-Specialty Hospital, Durgapur shared feedback on multiple shifts which help a woman in work eco system.

Mr. Abraham Stephanos, Managing Director, Tata Steel Processing And Distribution Limited, highlighted that change in policies will not facilitate the natural behaviour. A holistic approach needs to be adopted.

Dr Mousumi Ghosh, Founder Director, Team Future, mentioned positive movements are being witnessed.

Capt. S B Mazumder, Executive Director, Seahorse Ship Agencies Pvt. Limited shares that mindset is still a hindrance particularly for rural areas where pictorial education may be adopted for awareness.

Mr Ranjan Sarkar, Executive VP-HR, Exide Industries Ltd. mentioned parity at home is needed for parity at work. Supporting infrastructure is needed.

Mr. Arun Kumar Mukherjee, Chairperson Emeritus, Energy and Environment Committee, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry & Director (Technical), Prerana Engineers & Consultants Pvt. Ltd. mentioned that mindset is also related to exposure.

Ms.RubinaAman, Lead Talent Management and Special Initiatives, Vikram Solar Limited shared case studies of engaging with families and sensitization of management to listen to the women employees about their problem.

A recent report on “Asia-Pacific Power of Parity”, published by McKinsey Global Institute, launched in Kolkata during the programme.