Women power eludes industry bodies

DO YOU have any idea how many women are currently listed as entrepreneurs in the state?s leading industry bodies? If not, this may surprise you. The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), UP, does not have a single woman even as a member of the premier industrial body.

DO YOU have any idea how many women are currently listed as entrepreneurs in the state’s leading industry bodies?

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If not, this may surprise you. The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), UP, does not have a single woman even as a member of the premier industrial body.

However, PHDCCI now has the first lady national president in Sushma Berlia, the chairperson of Apeejay Group in New Delhi.

“There is this inherent shyness among women entrepreneurs to join industry associations. Then, there is this misconception that in the men-dominated world of industry associations, it would be difficult for them to occupy top positions,” A Drona, resident director, PHDCCI, UP.

“Running an industry is difficult. Women belonging to business families find it easier to become an entrepreneur. In the Indian Industries Association (IIA), women members comprise about 1.5-2 per cent of overall list of 5,000 members. There are definitely less number of women members but the ones who are listed as members with IIA are very active in the Association,” D S Verma, executive director, IIA, told HT Lucknow Live.

“Things are changing in Uttar Pradesh. Women entrepreneurs are coming out and applying for memberships at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) UP Committee. But their numbers are still very less,” Puneeta Priyadarshini, head, CII UP Office, added.