Women empowerment has many dimensions and many aspects. It is connected to a career, wealth, success personally and professionally. On their journey to fulfillment and empowerment, women face discrimination and gender bias, orthodoxy in personal spheres, conservative moors and the necessity to adjust in an ever-changing as well as an ever-shrinking space.

These and many other related issues were hotly discussed and debated earlier this week on the occasion of the International Women’s Day at the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce’s headquarters in Toronto. The panelists and the audience included some of the Indo-Canadian community’s most successful women. They included entrepreneurs, professionals, community leaders, artists, academics. All of them are all this in addition to their primary role of being home makers.

The panelists were: Ms. Lata Pada, Founder & Artistic Director of Sampradaya Dance Creations; Ms. Chinyere Eni-McLean, Financial Planner RBC Royal Bank; Ms. Vicki Saunders, Founder of SheEO; and Ms. Neena Kanwar, Co-founder of KMH Cardiology and Diagnostic Centres.

This was the fifth annual International Women’s Day panel discussion organized by ICCC. And the diversity of views represented by the panelists and the audience gave a different dimension to the theme of Women Empowerment. Among the issues that the panelists discussed included the following:

• What is Women Empowerment? Is it limited to a career choice, generating wealth and corporate success or is itsomething intangible
• Dealing with discrimination and gender bias
• The two biggest challenges faced in the journey to success
• Traditional conservative families – are they the biggest hurdle to women empowerment
• How can women empowerment change social structure of the society

In her welcome remarks, Ginni Sethi, Vice President, Women Entrepreneurs and Professionals (WEP), and Membership said that the two of the panelists had been awarded by ICCC in 2001 and 2003. She said that Women Empowerment refers both to the process of self-empowerment and professional achievements, which enables women to overcome any obstacles to achieve success.

It also reflects women’s ability to use their developed skills and intellect to shape future for an unbiased social structure. Active participation of women in all spheres of life will help in promoting new ideas, rational decision making and positive use of socio-eco and political power.

Mr. Sanjay Makkar, President ICCC in his welcome remarks said that the chamber is giving more importance to the women and working towards promoting the women entrepreneurship. All the committees of the ICCC have women members. He also announced that Ms. Devika Penekelapati had been inducted into the Chamber’s board in early March. “Our Chamber started to celebrate the international women’s day from 2012 onwards in recognition of the growing contribution of women in all the spheres of life,” he said.

The panel discussion drew tremendous response from the ICCC members and non-members and was attended by an overwhelming number.

Ms. Shibani Sahney, Chair WEP committee moderated the session and also gave a vote of thanks.

Panelists with ICCC & WEP leadership