Women’s Empowerment Key to India’s Economic Growth: FTCCI
Hyderabad, Sept 10 (TNT): Women’s empowerment is not only a social objective but also a key driver of economic growth and an economic necessity, speakers at an international conference organised by the Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTCCI) said on Thursday.
The conference on “Women Empowerment – Driving Inclusive Growth and Leadership”, organised by the FTCCI Women Empowerment Committee with support from the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, brought together policymakers, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, investors and experts.
MSME-Development and Facilitation Office Joint Director and HoO C S S Rao highlighted government schemes supporting women entrepreneurs, including PMEGP, Stand-Up India, Procurement and Marketing Support and ZED certification.
He urged women entrepreneurs to adopt digital tools, explore e-commerce and upgrade their skills.
FTCCI President K K Maheshwari said women’s empowerment had moved beyond social responsibility and become an economic necessity and a growth strategy.
FTCCI Women Empowerment Committee Chair Dr Tasneem Shariff said India’s goal of becoming a developed nation could not be achieved by under-utilising half of its human capital.
She said female labour-force participation had risen from 23.3 per cent in 2017-18 to 41.7 per cent in 2023-24, but women needed greater access to capital, markets and opportunities to scale their enterprises.
Granules India Executive Director Uma Devi Chigurupati called for workplaces offering equal opportunities, maternity support, crèches, return-to-work mechanisms and continuous skilling.
Entrepreneur and animal welfare activist Amala Akkineni stressed the importance of confidence and supportive families, educational institutions and workplaces in enabling women to pursue leadership roles.
More than 250 people participated in the conference, which featured discussions on women-led entrepreneurship, access to finance and markets, digital transformation, leadership, rural entrepreneurship and international opportunities.
An expo was also organised on the sidelines of the conference.
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