Women on Boards CIC®’s Post

#womenonboard Research indicates that #female representation on corporate boards generally has a #positive impact on firm performance: 👍🏻 drives better market and accounting performance 👍🏻 encourages more groupthink and a broader, more innovative range of solutions 👍🏻 associated with higher levels of corporate governance and more diligent oversight 👍🏻 enhanced corporate reputation to attract top talent and increase brand loyalty. The ideal ratio of female representation on boards varies, but a common benchmark is the "𝙘𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙢𝙖𝙨𝙨" 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙤𝙧𝙮, which suggests that having at least three women, or around 30%, can significantly influence board #dynamics and #effectiveness to achieve meaningful diversity benefits. Overall, the integration of women into board roles not only fulfills #ethical and #social expectations but also contributes to improved business outcomes, making a strong case for increased gender diversity in corporate governance. #genderdiversity #femaleleadership #corporateboards #corporategovernance

Investing in Women: Beyond Platitudes to Progress International Women's Day was last week, and while I spotted some lovely posts from charities, the stats speak for themselves that many charities do not have a good representation of women at the senior level. Before history repeating itself on 2025's International Women’s Day, let’s shift our focus from mere platitudes to meaningful progress. One of the ways you can do this is to focus on Leadership programmes (example below), or other L&D opportunities where Women are underrepresented such as #Data or #Tech Investing in women isn’t just about equity; it’s about unlocking potential that benefits everyone. Here’s why investing in women is not just right, but smart: 🤷♂️ Diverse Perspectives: Women bring unique insights and experiences that can lead to innovative solutions and better decision-making. 💹 Economic Growth: Studies show that companies with women in leadership positions often perform better financially. 😃 Talent Utilisation: Not investing in women means missing out on 50% of the talent pool—a loss no organization can afford. Let’s make every day count for women, not just 8th March. #InvestInWomen #InternationalWomensDay #EqualityForAll

The theme for International Women's Day 2024 is "Inspire Inclusion.”, and I’d like to spotlight two pivotal areas where women in the corporate sector have room to grow: Financial Literacy and Leadership Representation. 1.       Empowering Through Financial Literacy Financial literacy is more than understanding money; it's about securing freedom, options, and equality. Yet, women often face barriers to access the same financial education and opportunities as men. This gap is deep rooted in societal bias and not only affects personal wealth but also hinders our collective economic progress. Let's commit to empowering every woman and girl with the financial skills and knowledge they need to thrive. Whether it's through workshops, mentorship, or educational resources, every step towards financial literacy is a stride towards real equality. I contribute actively in this area with mentorship with social impact organizations I am currently associated with. 2.       Claiming A Seat on the Board India mandated gender diversity on boards through corporate law. While this has led to an increase in the number of women on boards, the representation remains low. An EY 2023 report noted that nearly 95% of the NIFTY 500 companies now have at least one woman on their board of directors. However, less than 5% of companies have female chairpersons. This indicates that while quotas can help increase numbers, they might not necessarily lead to significant leadership roles or influence for women within boards. This has also raised concerns about tokenism—where women are appointed to boards to meet regulatory requirements rather than for their expertise or to have meaningful participation. This can undermine the effectiveness of such measures and does not fully address the underlying issues of gender inequality in corporate leadership. It's time to change the narrative. Encouraging women to pursue leadership roles and providing the support they need to succeed is not just about filling a quota; it's about enhancing decision-making, fostering innovation, and driving better business outcomes. The linkage between financial literacy and women on boards is multifaceted. Improving financial literacy among women can empower them to take on leadership roles, including board positions, with greater confidence and effectiveness and, the presence of financially literate women on boards can enhance board decision-making and governance, contributing to better corporate performance and governance outcomes. I request all CEOs and Boards (Listed and Unlisted companies) to take inclusive action on this IWD to act as champions for corporate policies and practices that open doors for women leaders by providing access to targeted training and development programs specific to governance, finance, and strategic decision-making for effective board membership. #InternationalWomensDay2024 Women in Big Data Inchara Divershefy "MentorMyBoard" Ministry Of Corporate Affairs

Unlocking the Power of Women in Business: A Path to Success Discover the incredible impact of women in business and how their contributions can pave the way to success. Explore the benefits and opportunities of working with women as we delve into sectors such as microfinance. #WomenInBusiness #EmpoweringWomen #BusinessSuccess #Microfinance #GenderEquality #WomenEmpowerment #Opportunity #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #BusinessGrowth

This #WomensHistoryMonth, it’s important not only to celebrate achievements in #WomenLeadership but to acknowledge the hurdles too. Mamaearth's Ghazal Alagh and Edelweiss Mutual Fund's Radhika Gupta shed light on the unseen struggles faced by female entrepreneurs. From declining events to juggling motherhood with CEO responsibilities, their stories challenge the notion of perfectionism and highlight the need for real action. It's time to recognize and support the journey of women in #entrepreneurship. Read more in Republic World: https://lnkd.in/gjBn4UF8

Empowering other women business owners is crucial for fostering inclusivity, diversity, and economic growth. By providing support, resources, and mentorship to women entrepreneurs, we contribute to breaking down systemic barriers and inequalities in the business world. Empowerment not only allows women to fulfill their potential but also generates a ripple effect, inspiring future generations of female leaders. Additionally, diverse perspectives and experiences brought by women entrepreneurs enrich innovation and decision-making processes, leading to more robust and sustainable businesses. Ultimately, empowering women in business is not only a matter of fairness but also a strategic imperative for building thriving economies and societies.

Women Empowerment

Bridging the Gender Gap in Fintech: Strategies for Empowering Women in Leadership: Discover strategies to empower women in fintech leadership roles. Explore how bridging the gender gap can drive innovation, foster diversity, ...

"On International Women's Day, we honor the trailblazing women in the world of finance. Their expertise, innovation, and leadership continue to redefine the NBFC sector. Cheers to the women driving excellence and contributing to the success of NBFC Advisory! 🌐💪 #WomensDay #FinancialLeadership #NBFCAdvisory #SheMeansBusiness #WomenInFinance"

What does it take for female founders to scale up their businesses? What are the hurdles and opportunities faced within the Indian entrepreneurial environment? How can female entrepreneurs deal with self-doubt while building the future? The Rizing Equality Summit 2024 sought to explore these questions. Bijal Ajinkya, Partner at Khaitan & Co, remarks that women are the fulcrum of wealth transition and the transition of leadership in an organization, if dealt with by a woman, may be much more likely to succeed. Ajinkya states that a woman looking to facilitate a transition of her own wealth may have self-doubt, which would lead to a situation, where there’s no closure, so she finds it interesting that women may be great at managing someone else’s transition, but not their own. It may be the case that women help someone else, they’re great at it, but when they have to help themselves, they don’t do it very often. Yet, women are said to be quite intuitive and know what they don’t know, so they would make sure to gather themselves around people who could help them navigate. Ajinkya, also, touches upon the period leave policy implemented by Khaitan & Co and the broader implications of this leave on the workforce at KCO. @Harneet Hariharan, Chairperson & Managing Director at Pace Setters Business Solutions, explores the role that spirituality plays in her life as an entrepreneur, how she went spiritual shopping after a time when there was a lot of hustle and bustle of work, how when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, she had to get people work-from-home-ready within 48 hours, how she’s put in 100% of her personal earnings in philanthropy and how there’s an imperative for educated people with a corporate background in the paradigm of spirituality, sustainability and social impact. RathnaMala L V LV, Senior Vice President & Zonal Head, Corporate and Institutional Banking at Federal Bank, explores the 41% proportion of women at Federal Bank, how the bank encourages meritocracy, how opportunities are given to the people and how it’s up to them to grab onto what presents itself, how more women taking opportunities leads to role models being built, how it’s not just about bank schemes for women entrepreneurs, but how a good proportion of a female workforce at a bank can connect better with female entrepreneurs and prepare them for challenges. She, also, remarks that if it’s expected that one is not taken seriously, then it wouldn’t be a surprise and one would not be let down. #inclusiveworkspaces #equality #RizingEqualitySummit