Equality at Work Must Be Built Through Everyday Reform, Panel Hears

Workplace equality cannot simply be announced but must be built by identifying and addressing inequalities in everyday systems and practices, Charu Sinha, director general of the Criminal Investigation Department, Anti-Corruption Bureau and Women Safety Wing, said in Hyderabad. Sinha was speaking at the seventh edition of the #StandWithHer panel discussion series at WeHub, Dr B.R. Ambedkar Open University, according to The Hindu.

She said exclusion was often subtle and called for inequalities to be made visible while women’s voices were amplified. The discussion was titled “Inclusive Workspaces — Everyday Fairness, Respect & Voice: Women Leadership and Remuneration”. It brought together participants from public administration, cinema, media, entrepreneurship and creative industries.

Choreographer Pony Verma Prakashraj recalled being the only woman competing with male choreographers when she began her career. She said she had to prove that she knew her work. Actor, writer and director Adivi Sesh questioned the idea that women were being “given permission” to work, saying the language itself reflected an imbalance in workplace attitudes.

Rajinikanth Vellalacheruvuyu, editor and CEO, discussed male dominance in society and said women made up about half of his organisation’s workforce. Jitesh V. Patil, chairman and managing director of Telangana State Power Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited, highlighted the growing presence of women in the power sector and their contribution to the industry.

The panel examined barriers affecting women’s access to leadership, recognition and fair remuneration. It also considered the difficulty of speaking up without being judged through gender stereotypes. #StandWithHer is a year-long initiative intended to promote discussion of gender equality through themed events.