Moderator: Dr. Vasudha Katju, Assistant Professor at Kautilya
Panelists: Dr. Shantala Veigas, Dr. Mujaheed Sheikh, and Dr. Shanta Thoutam
Opening Remarks:Dr. Katju introduced the session by emphasizing the broad scope of women in public policy, focusing on how women both shape and are affected by policy decisions. She highlighted the importance of examining the structural and social barriers that influence women’s participation in policy-making processes.
Dr. Shantala VeigasAssociate Director, Head of Partner Relations & Communication, WE Hub, Government of Telangana.
Dr. Veigas discussed the impact of social and structural factors on women's leadership in policymaking. She stressed the importance of adopting a gender lens in policy decisions to ensure that women’s needs and perspectives are integrated into every stage of policymaking.
She highlighted the challenges women face in entering traditionally male-dominated sectors, such as manufacturing, where complex machinery often limits their participation. She cited Rane Motors as an example of a company that aims to make 20% of its machines more accessible to women.
Dr. Veigas also emphasized the need for women to hold decision-making positions and not merely be present in discussions. She pointed out that reward systems should account for the unique physiological and social constraints faced by women.
In closing, she shared the success story of‘She Creates,’an initiative focused on promoting menstrual hygiene products, and emphasized the need to link such initiatives with economic benefits to ensure sustained support and funding.
Dr. Mujaheed SheikhProfessor, Hertie School
Dr. Sheikh highlighted the underrepresentation of women in global health leadership, despite the fact that women make up over 70% of the healthcare workforce. He pointed out that less than one-third of UN member countries have female leadership, and women hold only 25% of leadership roles in the healthcare sector.
He discussed the gender pay gap in healthcare, noting that women often earn significantly less than their male counterparts, even in female-dominated specialties like gynecology.
Dr. Sheikh emphasized that increasing the representation of women in health leadership could lead to better health outcomes and more equitable policies. He cited Indian healthcare statistics, noting that 80% of nurses and nearly all ASHA workers are women, yet men dominate leadership roles in health ministries and international organizations.
He concluded by referencing the World Economic Forum’s estimate that achieving gender parity at the current pace will take 134 years, calling for systemic changes to bridge the leadership gap.
Dr. Shanta ThoutamFormer Chief Innovation Officer, Government of Telangana
Dr. Thoutam addressed the low participation of women in political leadership roles, particularly in the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and state assemblies. She praised the recent Women’s Reservation Bill as a significant step toward increasing women’s representation in governance.
She emphasized the importance of gender mainstreaming in leadership roles, advocating for policies that not only place women in leadership positions but also empower them to make meaningful contributions.
Dr. Thoutam highlighted successful programs in Telangana where women hold over 50% of leadership roles in specific sectors. She expressed hope that such models could be replicated nationwide.
She also challenged policymakers to design sector-specific policies that address the unique needs of women rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach.
Closing Remarks:Dr. Sheikh called for narrowing the gender pay gap and increasing women’s representation in leadership roles across sectors. He highlighted the positive impact of women-led social services and public health initiatives.
Dr. Thoutam reiterated the importance of placing women in leadership positions and designing policies that address their specific needs. She also emphasized the need for effective communication of government policies to eliminate gender biases at the grassroots level.
Dr. Veigas concluded by advocating for progressive workplace policies, such as providing childcare facilities, and called for continued efforts to challenge entrenched patriarchy within even progressive policies.
