Participants benefited from engaging fireside chats and expert-led sessions covering vital topics such as financial literacy, understanding financial terminology, investment education, business finance management, and utilizing financial tools for effective financial management.
Despite significant strides towards gender equality, women around the world still face substantial barriers to financial independence and leadership roles. The journey towards achieving financial autonomy and breaking the glass ceiling remains challenging, highlighting the urgent need for targeted efforts to empower women economically. In this context, EmpowerHer: Fireside Chat on Self Discovery and Financial Freedom, held on August 1, 2024, in New Delhi, played a crucial role.
This impactful workshop aligned perfectly with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on gender equality and the empowerment of women. Organized collaboratively by the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), the Indian Exhibition Industry Association (IEIA), and the Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI), the workshop emphasised the importance of addressing the challenges of financial literacy for women.
Participants benefited from engaging fireside chats and expert-led sessions covering vital topics such as financial literacy, understanding financial terminology, investment education, business finance management, and utilizing financial tools for effective financial management. By equipping women with essential financial knowledge and skills, the workshop aims to foster greater independence and pave the way for more women to ascend to leadership positions.
In her welcome speech, Pallavi Mehra, Chairperson-Focus Group for Women in Leadership IEIA, said that the theme “Self Discovery and Financial Freedom,” resonates deeply with the broader mission of gender equality, a core principle enshrined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5), which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. “EmpowerHer” is our collective initiative to contribute towards this global goal. By providing a platform for inspiring discussions, shared experiences, and actionable insights, we aim to empower ourselves to discover our true potential and gain financial independence. These are critical steps in achieving gender equality, as financial freedom and self-awareness are key to unlocking the vast capabilities of women in all spheres of life,” she said.
“I don’t think women need empowerment; they are already the most empowered individuals,” said PP Khanna, President ADTOI, adding that the workshop truly showcases the resilience of ‘naari shakti’ and power of self-discovery.
Khanna stressed the importance of financial savings for security and safety, understanding what lies beyond earning is utilising those savings in better areas. He encouraged women to make their own financial decisions. He also spoke of ADTOI’s Women Empowerment and CSR Wing to empower women in travel and boost tourism. Established in 2016 with support from governing body members, this initiative aims to appoint a Lady Executive Officer (LEO) in each chapter of the association. Currently, Geeta Maheshwari serves as the Chairperson of Women’s Empowerment and CSR activities.
Also speaking during the event, Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO talked about the initial struggles the older generation of women faced. To this he added that one crucial aspect of financial management is enhancing financial literacy. “Providing women with access to quality education is fundamental. It equips them with knowledge and skills to make informed financial decisions.
Workshops and online platforms can enhance financial literacy and empower women of all ages and backgrounds. Remember, financial empowerment is a collective effort, and workshops like the one being organized today play a vital role in raising awareness and fostering positive change,” he added. He also shared how the legal and policy frameworks supporting gender equality in financial matters can create a more inclusive financial landscape.
“This will benefit not only women but also society as a whole.”
Sooraj Dhawan, President IEIA pointed that the financial literacy has indeed made significant strides over the past 5-7 years. However, understanding the multifaceted impact of money remains crucial. He spoke how the session by Suchita Gupta, a Financial Expert, will help women in making critical decisions, especially significant ones and knowing accurate figures. He spoke on “skill up-scale up” policy adding skilling comes with a spark of motivation which the EmpowerHer workshop can offer.
“It’s wonderful to have a diverse group of people sharing their thoughts and experiences. Each person brings unique perspectives and expertise. You never know, sometimes the most valuable insights come from unexpected places. So, let’s continue this dialogue and learn from one another year on year and make this workshop a recurring event,” he stated.
As the 41st President of FICCI ladies’ organization (FLO) Joyshree Das Verma expressed her pride in representing an organization that values perception and growth. Sharing key figures, she said that despite 40% of the population, Indian women contribute 18% to the GDP. Bridging this gap could potentially increase the GDP. Verma pointed out that women’s voices and perspectives are invaluable in leadership roles and decision-making processes, recalling her Northeastern hometown where women are not as valued as they should be. According to her, the workshop is crucial steppingstone in offering planning and strategy goals for both working as well as non-working females.
The full-day workshop started with Suchita Gupta, a Financial Expert, conducting a session on “Financial Literacy Fundamentals for Women Professionals”. This provided a deeper knowledge on types of funds, domains to invest, where and how to save, opting for appropriate type of loan, among others.
Next in line was Deepa Sachdev, Managing Partner at Human Capital India who she spoke about Building ALLYSHIP for oneself and suggested that women must build their army of allies as a true force multiplier be it work, at home or in the neighborhood. When seeking advice or support, it’s essential to connect with people who offer non-judgmental understanding and that is where allyship matters, she said.
An interactive session with Himanshi Singh, Soft Skill Trainer on “Balancing Act: Work Life Harmony for Financial Success” garnered a lot of interest among the power-packed audience. She advised women on setting boundaries to protect their time, focusing on personal growth and maintaining a balance in time with the 8:8:8 RULE. She highlighted the importance of delegating tasks and prioritizing work-life balance, while highlighting on GROW as the driving agenda.
Dr. Bindu Khosla, Head of Leadership Development & HR Advisory Practice at Xcalibur Coach, conducted a session on “Emotional Intelligence: Clearing the Clutter,” and focused on developing emotional intelligence while fighting the emotional vulnerability. She stated how does emotional intelligence play a vital role in a women’s life when she has to balance life, family and work at the same time.
Concluding with a heartfelt vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to the dignitaries, associations involved and all the attendees, Dr. Kuku S Kumar, IATO Women Empowerment Committee’s Convener, expressed her appreciation for their support and setting the tone for “EmpowerHer Women” workshop.
(Filed by Jaya Chugh; Edited by Gagneet Kaur)
