Kolkata. 19th May,2020
The age of automation, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies offer new job opportunities and avenues for economic advancement, but women face new challenges overlaid on long-established ones. Between 40 million and 160 million women globally may need to transition between occupations by 2030, often into higher-skilled roles. (McKinsey Report).
Centering around the issue at the Online Session –”International Perspectives on Social and Behavioural Approach of Business” organized by The Bengal Chamber on 19th May, Ms. Nayantara Pal Choudhury, Chairperson, Socio-Economic Initiative, The Bengal Chamber, stated, “Our emphasis is to create a synergy between business and society taking a lesson from the difficult time at the outbreak of the pandemic. We believe women entrepreneurship and employability as a whole are the areas which need adequate focus.”
Joining the webinar from Bangladesh, Dr. Munal Mahbub, Senior VP, Chittagong Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated, “Supporting women entrepreneurs by accelerating long term trends like digitization, remote work, health tech, and Edu tech will be a major goal during this pandemic”.
From UAE, Ms. Spandana Palaypu, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, ZoEasy Solutions, stated, “COVID 19 has brought out innovation in every aspect of life, with technology shattering the barriers and creating a spirit of solidarity among us all. Combining this with modern hiring practices and a culture of constant learning, we can solve big human issues, create economic empowerment and reduce inequalities, especially in the blue/grey collar communities.”
“The emergency situation of the current times, not only in India but Globally, should transition into positive business outcomes and making responsiveness to the changing social needs, vital to business culture. Equally, it is necessary to bring about an emotional connection of the common citizen with the government, the primary change agent”, stated Mrs. Indrani Malkani, Managing Trustee, V Citizens Action Network (VCAN), and an Ashoka Fellow who joined in from Mumbai.
