The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : ‘Australian, Indian women can network to break glass ceilings’

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 31, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

‘Australian, Indian women can network to break glass ceilings’

V. Sridhar

Women form 44 per cent of Australia’s workforce
India fourth largest destination for Australian exports

Aminur Rahman

Bangalore: Aminur Rahman wears two hats for Australia. He is the Consul-General in Chennai while being a senior Trade Commissioner at the Australian Trade Commission (ATC).

The combination of the two roles perhaps illustrates the importance the Australian Government attaches to trade and business ties with India.

He told The Hindu that the main purpose of the visit of an Australian all-women business delegation to India was to understand how empowerment of women was happening in both countries. “The shackles on women are being broken in both countries, and businesswomen in both countries want to share their experiences about how this is happening,” he said.

About 4.7 million women are part of the Australian workforce, accounting for 44 per cent of the working population.

In recent years, women have not only made their mark in more kinds of jobs but have also risen to positions of leadership in the corporate world. “Women in Australia are making a huge contribution at all levels and across a wide range of sectors,” he said.

The three-city tour to Mumbai, Bangalore and New Delhi of the business delegation is led by Carla Zampatti, the iconic fashion designer and chairman of Zampatti Private Limited.

She is member of the Order of Australia and was featured on an Australian postage stamp in 2005.

As India is the fourth largest destination for Australian merchandise exports, it is important that business leaders understand the Indian marketplace, said Mr. Rahman.

He pointed out that the ATC had a specific programme — Women in Exports Strategy — which helped Australian businesswomen understand global markets in order to become successful exporters.

He pointed out that India had its own share of successful businesswomen, achieving success against heavy odds; the purpose of the visit was to share their experiences with their Australian counterparts.

“There is never just one way to learn, both sides have many things to offer to the other side”, he said.

Corporate cultures play an important part in determining how women are treated at the workplace. Australia, Aminur Rahman said, “has strict laws which deter gender bias.” The purpose of the visit, he said, was to “network with Indian women business leaders to break glass ceilings.”

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka