FLO to organise session on Women Empowering India on May 8 to 9

New Delhi, May 7 (UNI) 'Women Empowering India' will be the theme of the two-day 22nd annual session of FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) starting tomorrow to celebrate the Indian woman in her new avatar as leader.

The session would be addressed by a number of union ministers and industrialists who would initiate discussion on the increasing role of women in various fields.

This year FLO has once again brought closer to fulfilling the mission of empowering women through access to training, exposure to global trends and contact with leaders at the cutting-edge of innovation and transformation.

In the past year, the discourse has shifted and expanded to include larger realities of women empowerment. Today, FLO is not just focusing on providing a support-system to aspiring businesswomen, but are talking a log more about women who are today leading major changes in the country in the various spheres of business, politics and development.

The shift in emphasis perhaps reflects the realities of changing times. Firstly, there is increasing consensus in the corporate world that the presence of a large number of dynamic women leaders dramatically improves an organisation's ability to innovate, collaborate and better performance.

Secondly, women leaders in politics seem to be scoring above their male counter-parts when it comes to interpersonal skills, relationship building and democratic approach to decision-making.

Finally, there is increasing evidence to suggest that women at grassroots have been rather successful in providing creating, practical and sustainable solutions to issue of their communities.

The session on "Corporate Governance - Will More Women at the Top Lead to Betterment" will be chaired by Mr Ashwani Kumar, Minister of State for Industry. Mr Rajan Mittal, Jt Mg Director, Bharti Enterprises and Ms Sushma Berlia, President, PHDCCI will also address the session.

The session on "Empowerment of Women in Rural India- A Veritable Mission for Gen X" will have speakers such as Mr Mani Shankar Aiyer, Minister for Panchayati Raj, Mr M M Pallam Raju, MOS for Defence and Ms Ranjana Kumari, Director, Centre for Social Research.

The session on Role of Media&Civil Society in Changing Public Attitude Towards Women will be addressed by Mr Anand Sharma, MOS for External Affairs; Mr Abhishek Singhvi, Congress Spokespersona and Mr Randeep Singh Surjewala, Minister for Transport and Parliamentary Affairs, Haryana Government.

Mr Oscar Fernandes, Minister of State will be the guest of honour for the Annual Session while Mr Rajiv Shukla, MP will deliver the special address.

UNI AJ SRS HT1140