Conference Champions Gender Equity and Women’s Empowerment Chennai, August 6, 2024* – The International Conference on “Catalysts for Change: Pioneering Gender Equity & Women’s Empowerment in Economic Development” commenced today at SACAS Theatre, Chennai. The event began with ceremonial proceedings, a welcome address by Dr. Malathi Selvakumar, Principal of SACAS and Special Address by Dr. V. Sayi Satyavathi, Director, SACAS. Mr. Dev Anandh Narayanan, Director of Indian Operations at Haworth India Pvt. Ltd., delivered the keynote, emphasizing the necessity of gender diversity in the workforce and linking women’s empowerment to sustainable development goals. He highlighted the importance of equal opportunities and supportive schemes for women in leadership roles.

Dr. Balakrishnan Muniapan of Birmingham City University discussed leadership and emotional intelligence, advocating for antifragile, adaptable leaders in today’s volatile world. Dr. Aiste Vitkune-Bajoriniene from Vilnius University addressed the gender pay gap in Europe, proposing supportive policies for women in entrepreneurship.

Thiru. Jeyaraj Sonai Singagram from Sino-British College, China, stressed the importance of education and policy interventions for women’s economic empowerment. Dr. R. Karunakaran from Hawassa University, Ethiopia, highlighted the role of non-profit organizations and cooperatives in promoting gender equity.

The conference concluded with a call for collaborative efforts to foster women’s economic independence and equitable labor markets, underscoring the need for continued dialogue and action in this vital area.