Role of Women in Achieving a Sustainable Future: Need for Women Leaders & Women Entrepreneurs in India

On the occasion of International Women's Day, (8th March) I am posting my paper which was presented in an international conference in 2013

Abstract

Sustainability is making something last long. Longevity of a resource is sustainability. As women tries to provide the best to her family, manages the available resources effectively and efficiently she becomes an ideal choice to handle the most burning issue today – sustainability. For this gender equality among all walks of life is very important. There is a Sanskrit shloka from Indian scriptures –“Mata Bhumih putro ham prithvyah” means - Earth is our mother and we are its children. Now the time has come that we need to take care of our mother Earth, and who is better than women who takes care of her family.

In developing country like India, need for entrepreneurs and leaders is of paramount importance. That too women entrepreneurs like Kiran Mazumdar Shah of Biocon,  Chetana Sinha of Mann  Desi Foundation; and corporate leaders like  Chanda Kochr of ICICI Bank or Shikha Sharma of Axis Bank are the need of the hour.

This paper brings out a thought process – as a woman is well versed with managing her family with available resources and always strives towards welfare and wellness of the family members, she can with right exposure, mentoring and guidance can lead a nation, a corporate or setup platforms to develop entrepreneurs with concern for environment and sustainability.

Role of Women in Achieving a Sustainable Future: Need for Women Leaders & Women Entrepreneurs in India

Sustainability is a dynamic concept born out of the environmental debate of the last quarter century. There is growing concern nationally and internationally about biodiversity and protection of plants and animals and community based activity. Sustainable Development as a norm has been accepted in the literature ever since the publication of the Brundtland Commission report in 1987.The Brundtland Commission defined Sustainable Development as that which "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs".

A primary goal of sustainable development is to achieve a reasonable and equitably distributed level of economic well being that can be perpetuated continually for many human generations. It also implies using renewable natural resources in a manner that does not eliminate or degrade them, or otherwise diminish their usefulness for future generations. Sustainable development also requires depleting non-renewable energy resources at a slow enough rate so as to ensure the high probability of an orderly society transition to renewable energy sources.

Number of studies is done to examine the associations between environmental concerns and socio-demographic factors. These studies were mainly focused on finding a “connection” between high environmental concerns with particular social attribute (ROLE OF ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS IN ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT - Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean). The major social attributes identified are age, gender, social status and political ideology. I have used the findings from the gender and environmental concern in the context of this paper. Brief description of major social attributes’ concern for environment is given:

1.      Age and environmental concern – younger generation tends to be more concerned about environmental quality than older generation.

2.      Gender and environmental concern - It is generally believed that women are more concerned about environment than men. This is supported by the Harris survey (1991), which showed that women are more concerned about the environmental quality, critical about policy taken by government and willing to accept lower standard of living for fewer health risks.

3.      Social status and environmental concern - There is a hypothesis that states “environmental concern is positively associated with social class as indicated by education, income and occupational prestige” (Van Liere and Dunlap, 1980). Inglehart (1990) and earlier, Andrews (1978), gave an explanation for this hypothesis based on the fact that once people solved their basic material and physical needs, they opt for more aesthetic aspect of human existence or “quality of life”, such as better environment.
A hypothesis states that as individuals become more educated, they are more concerned about environment (Kohut and Shriver, 1989, and Vining and Ebreo, 1990 quoted by Mainieri, Bernett, Valdero, Unipan, and Oskamp, 1997). The higher education is associated with higher concern since it is directly related to the access to information on environment and ability to process the information into knowledge.

4.      Political ideology and environment -  In the U.S., people who support democrats and liberals are more concerned about environmental quality than those support republican and conservative counterparts. The similar trend also exists in Great Britain where right-wing Tory, conservative, is placing less importance to environmental issues than left wing Labour and Liberal Democrats (Worcester and Corrado, 1991). The reason for such difference, as categorized by Dunlap (1975) are:

“Environmental reforms generally are opposed by business and industry because of the costs involved and environmental reforms entail an extension of government activities and regulations”.

These studies and hypothesis makes it clear that women show more concern to environmental issues than men. On this context, in March 2012, the United Nations Global Compact and UN Women convened stakeholders from the private sector, civil society, government, academia and the UN at the State University of New York (SUNY) Global Center in New York City to discuss how gender equality fits into the agendas of corporate sustainability and sustainable development.

In the words of his Excellency Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, UN Secreatary-General “We cannot achieve sustainable development without buy-in from business – from leading global corporations to small- and medium size enterprises, from investors to entrepreneurs. Nor can we achieve sustainability – at a corporate or a global level – without empowering the world’s women.”
Ms. Michelle Bachelet, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director – UN Women called for better implementation of women empowerment principles in workplace, market place and community to build healthy economies, strong societies and sustainable development.

The World Summit on Sustainable Development (2002), the International Conference on Population and Development (1994), the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995), and the 2005 World Summit all acknowledged the pivotal and important role women play in sustainable development.

Women’s Empowerment Principles agreed upon in the summit in brief:

1. Establish high-level corporate leadership for gender equality

2. Treat all women and men fairly at work – respect and support human rights and nondiscrimination.

3. Ensure the health, safety and well-being of all women and men workers.

4. Promote education, training and professional development for women.

5. Implement enterprise development, supply chain and marketing practices that empower

women.

6. Promote equality through community initiatives and advocacy.

7. Measure and publicly report on progress to achieve gender equality.

However, democratic governments and institutions have yet to draft a policy that addresses the relation between the economy, the environment and their impact on society – and especially on women.

There is a Sanskrit shloka from Indian scriputures –“Mata Bhumih putro ham prithvyah” means - Earth is our mother and we are its children. All the above events around the world points towards the need to bring in the real mothers to save our mother Earth for our children.

Role of Women in India over the decades:

In India, from ancient times, the social system or the ‘varnashrama system’ followed were as per Manusmtri. According to Manusmrti, women were treated unequal. Women, that is, even women belonging to Brahmin, Kshatriya and Vaishya varna are not entitled to upanayan and the study of the Vedas. For them, marriage is equivalent to upanayan and service of their husbands is equivalent to the study of the Vedas in the gurukul. Even if the husband is morally degraded, engaged in an affair with another woman and is devoid of knowledge and other qualities, the wife must treat him like a god. This is done to avoid the breaking of families. Besides, women are not considered fit for being free and independent. They are to be protected in their childhood by father, in youth by husband and in old age by son. They should never be allowed by their guardians to act independently. A woman must never do anything even inside her home without the consent of her father, husband and son respectively. However, they are given equal right in the parental properties by Manu to empower them.

So, women’s role was restricted to be a mother, daughter, and wife. Virtues of a women and how she supports her husband and her family to be called a ‘pati vrata’ (or ideal wife) is given by a shloka that reads:

Karyeshu dasi; Karaneshu mantri;
Rupecha lakshmi; kshamaya dharitri;
Bhojyeshu mata; sayaneshu vesya;
Shat dharmayukta kuladharma patni.

In this shloka, the multiple roles played by women in maintaining the family is highlighted. “karaneshu mantri” means work like a minister – with knowledge, wisdom  advises her husband in life, finances and other fields. Also, she efficiently and effectively manages the household work with available resources. This shows that during ancient times also, women’s capabilities were restricted to managing the family.

From the olden days, the focus or main ambition of any women was on the well being of the family, which leads to well being of society and Nation. Social and economic development of women is necessary for overall economic development of any society or a country. Today, we need to have all those expertise of managing a family with limited resources, love and care, dedication and commitment in the global business and corporate world.

Entrepreneurship is the state of mind which every woman has in her but has not been capitalized in India in way in which it should be. Due to change in environment, now people are more comfortable to accept leading role of women in our society, though there are some exceptions.

In India, one of the major contributors for the economy (GDP) is the service sector. It has created many opportunities for women entrepreneurs and leaders. Entrepreneurial women can excel their skills with maintaining balance in their life.

Women leaders bring great equilibrium, poise and diversity to a company. They are required in equal if not large numbers to create the perfect balance of the future Indian conglomerate. If we nurture the inner strength, creativity and self-esteem of women from all walks of life, they were able to go out into the world, prepared to handle any challenge with skills, confidence and grace. They come to the forefront, where they become agents of peace and positive social change for themselves, their families, other women and their society.

Best example we can get about nurturing and mentoring in corporate world is to understand how Mr. K.V. Kamath (ex CEO & MD of ICICI) had splendidly groomed and promoted extraordinary women leadership at the ICICI group. His prodigies’ Ms. Chanda Kochr (now heading ICICI) and Ms. Shika Sharma (now heading Axis Bank) have really come on their own and handling two major financial institutions of the country. There is a saying which shows the importance of woman in one’s life – “there is a woman behind every successful man”. This is reversed in this case – “there is Mr. Kamath behind the success of two women”.

In today’s globalized world, as more and more women are becoming educated and capable in all aspects have been competing with their male counterparts in the corporate world. But the world of entrepreneurship and leadership is little more demanding.

According to Moore & Buttner, self determination, expectation for recognition, self esteem and career goal are the key drivers for taking up entrepreneurship by women. Sometimes, women chose such career path for discovering their inner potential, caliber in order to achieve self satisfaction. It can also provide a mean to make best use of their leisure hours. However, dismal economic conditions of the women arising out of unemployment in the family and divorce can compel women into entrepreneurial activities.

I would like to quote a real example of women empowerment happened in a small village in India; a story of a woman changing the life of thousands of women. She not only changed their life, but inspired them to become entrepreneurs, business women. She has made the entire village, community to be self sufficient and live like a single family. The word ‘vasudivakutumbakam’ has become a reality here. Ms. Chetana Sinha, economist, social worker has brought a revolution in a small village Masavad in Satara district of Maharashtra. She started India’s first rural cooperative bank for women by women.

During 1970s, there was heavy drought in the region famous for cotton in Satara district of Maharashtra. Men started migrating to Mumbai and Pune. But women who lived in the village found it very difficult to even get meal a day. During her interaction with them during these difficult periods, Ms. Chetana dreamt to make bring financial freedom to them. This dream was realized in 1997, when Mann Deshi Cooperative Bank was started by these women and for women. Ms. Chetana has trained these women with basics of financial transactions, along with basic education. Ms. Rekha Kulkarni, who joined the bank as clerk has become the CEO of the bank today. The bank has 1 lakh 27 thousand members and has become India’s largest rural women’s cooperative bank. It has 3.5  crores deposit with 40 crores fixed assets. Today the bank has branches in Satara, Solapur, Saangli, Ratnagiri, Pune, Rajghar, Kolhapur districts, also in one of the district in Jharkand and Hubli district of Karnataka. In 2006, Ms. Chetana started Masavad Business School called to develop rural entrepreneurs. This business school trained girls who left school mid-way in milk production, animal husbandry, computers, tailoring etc. It encouraged them to start their own businesses with the help of Mann Deshi bank. Till date, over 17 thousand agri-labour women have started their own business through Mann Deshi bank and Mann Desi Business school.

This real case proves that if women were given financial management, they take care of the family in a better way focusing on children’s health, education, and quality food. It helps in improving the life style of the family, society and nation. We need more people like Ms. Chetana Sinha to come out and contribute to the community, society and growth of the country. In turn, all this adds up to the sustainability and taking care of the environment for the future generations.

Ms. Chetana Sinha has been positively influenced by one more crusader in this field, Ms. Ila Bhatt. The Founder of the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), Bhatt is a renowned leader in the fields of microfinance and labour. She founded SEWA in 1972 along with the late Arvind Buch who was then the president of the Textile Labour Association (TLA). SEWA helped women in rural Bihar to earn their living by renting solar bulbs to other families. These women buy solar bulbs at subsidized rates with the help of loans from SEWA and then not only use some in their own homes but also rent them out to other families, thereby earning their living. Ela Bhatt has been awarded the Padmashri, the Padmabhushan as well as the Ramon Magsaysay Award.

Some more notable entrepreneurs in rural India are:

Thinlas Chorol - She is the only Ladakhi woman to be trained to work in the field of mountaineering. Having grown up in the mountains, Chorol went on trekking expeditions as a guide with “Around Ladakh with Students” (ALS), the travel agency owned by SECMOL, the Institute where she studied. She founded the Ladakhi Women’s Travel Company in 2009 to bring more women into the field of travel and mountaineering, and also to promote ecotourism in Ladakh.

Annie George - She is the founder of BEDROC, an organization that “helps build disaster-resilient, sustainable coastal communities.” Some of the fields that BEDROC works in are disaster management, Participatory Water Resource Management, and Coastal Vulnerability Mapping. One of the main objectives of BEDROC is to “Leverage experiences of the 2004 Asian tsunami to create community-based, community-owned mechanisms for enhanced disaster response, mitigation and preparedness for coastal communities.”

Other famous women cooperative movement is Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad - also known as Lijjat, this is a women’s cooperative which manufactures a number of consumer goods. Lijjat was founded by seven Gujarati housewives from Mumbai in order to make a living with the skill they had – cooking.

“The seven women were Jaswantiben Jamnadas Popat, Parvatiben Ramdas Thodani, Ujamben Narandas Kundalia, Banuben. N. Tanna, Laguben Amritlar Gokani, Jayaben V. Vithalani, and one more lady whose name is not known.”. Today there are several members who work in a number of branches. Lijjat’s main motive is to generate self-employment for women and it provides employment to more than 40000 women.

In urban India, the big corporates are also seeing lot of women leaders coming up the ranks. There are some young bloods coming into the Indian corporate world. The daughters of the famous and pioneering fathers who had setup the industry are taking up the challenge to manage it and take it into a new level. Some of them are:

Lakshmi Srinivasan, daughter of TVS Motor Chief Venu Srinivasan has joined the board of Sundaram Clayton as additional Director and she is in charge for strategy for next five years.

Nandini Piramal is currently the Executive Director of Piramal Healthcare, Ltd. Ms. Primal is also involved in Primal Foundation where she directs and helps implementing strategies across initiatives such as the Kaivalya Education Foundation, Source for Change and Sarvajal.

Lavanya Nalli, is the fifth generation of the promoter family, to be the first woman to take over the reins of the iconic 83-year-old brand Nalli silks. The 27-year-old Harvard Business School graduate joined the daily business in 2005.

Roshni Nadar is the Executive Director and the CEO of HCL Corporation. She is the only child of HCL’s founder, Shiv Nada Roshni Nadar did her graduation from the Northernwestern University majoring in radio, television and film. She also has an MBA in Social Enterprise Management and Strategy from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management.
Ms Ameera Shah is the Managing Director and CEO of Metropolis Healthcare Ltd., a multinational chain of diagnostic centers. Under her stewardship, Metropolis has evolved from its single pathology laboratory status in 2002 to a fully integrated multinational chain of 70 diagnostic centers and 500 collection centers across South Asia, Middle East and Africa. 

Ashni Biyani, the first woman from Biyani family to join family business, is not only the future of Future Group but is already on her way to ensure a bright future to it. Ashni Biyani is the only child of India’s retail czar and the CEO of Future Group, Kishore Biyani.

All these young women in-charge of legacy’s of their visionary parents will be utilizing their family, social and educational backgrounds to take their company’s to the next levels. They will definitely taking proper care towards issues of environment and sustainable future.

There need to be more information about all these women entrepreneurs, leaders and corporate heads in the graduation syllabus of all universities. It will inspire lot of young minds to follow their footsteps. Also required is proper awareness and guidance about various Government initiatives and programmes to encourage women entrepreneurs.

Indian Government also has identified the importance of women empowerment and had taken lot of steps towards gender equality.

The principle of gender equality is enshrined in the Indian Constitution in its Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties and Directive Principles. The Constitution not only grants equality to women, but also empowers the State to adopt measures of positive discrimination in favour of women.

Within the framework of a democratic polity, our laws, development policies, plans and programmes have aimed at women’s advancement in different spheres. From the Fifth Five Year Plan (1974-78) onwards has been a marked shift in the approach to women’s issues from welfare to development. In recent years, the empowerment of women has been recognized as the central issue in determining the status of women. The National Commission for Women was set up by an Act of Parliament in 1990 to safeguard the rights and legal entitlements of women. The 73rd and 74th Amendments (1993) to the Constitution of India have provided for reservation of seats in the local bodies of Panchayats and Municipalities for women, laying a strong foundation for their participation in decision making at the local levels.

The National Mission for Empowerment of Women (NMEW) was launched by the Government of India on International Women’s Day in 2010 with the aim to strengthen overall processes that promote all-round development of women.

It has the mandate to strengthen the inter-sector convergence; facilitate the process of coordinating all the women’s welfare and socio-economic development programmes across ministries and departments. The Mission aims to provide a single window service for all programmes run by the Government for Women under aegis of various Central Ministries.

In light with its mandate, the Mission has been named Mission Poorna Shakti, implying a vision for holistic empowerment of women.

The National Resource Centre for Women has been set up which functions as a national convergence centre for all schemes and programmes for women. It acts as a central repository of knowledge, information, research and data on all gender related issues and is the main body servicing the National and State Mission Authority.

In the context of the recent events happening across the country, I strongly believe that gender equality, empowerment of women at home and at workplace is a matter of top priority.

Also there is a shloka which states:

Yatra Naaryasthu poojyanthe
Ramanethe thatra devathaha

Meaning: Where women are treated with dignity and Womanhood is worshipped, there roam the GODS. This clearly points towards the future direction for all of us.

References:

1    1  www.naree.com
2     www.unwomen.org
3     www.onesecrethunt.com
4     www.manndeshi.org
5     www.rediff.com
6     www.indiatoday.com
7     www.thehindubusinessline.com
8      www.economictimes.com
9     Articles from Vijayavani – Kannada Daily News paper
1  Articles from Prajavani – Kannada Daily News paper
   NATIONAL POLICY FOR THE EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN (2001)
ROLE OF ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS IN ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT - Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean