Jamshedpur, Feb 1 : Accomplished journalist and an author Alka Raza, has been appointed as chairperson of Centre for Gender Equality and Inclusive Leadership (CGEIL) at XLRI.
In its endeavour to empower women the B-school had set up the path breaking Centre for Gender Equality and Inclusive Leadership in March 2021 to make a meaningful impact on the inclusion of women in economically gainful activities.
The trigger for the Centre’s genesis is India’s alarmingly escalating gender gap; India ranks 140 out of 156 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index (GGI) 2021 by the World Economic Forum. It was ranked 98th in GGI 2006.
According to the Survival Gender Inequality Index (GII) which was introduced in 2010 by the UN Human Development Report, India ranks 155 out of 156 countries in the domain of Health and Survival.
Creation of CGEIL was the initiative of XLRI Alumni, who were passionate about enhancing women’s participation in workforce and leadership.
After the establishment of CGEIL,to support its initiative, a formal body of XLRI Alumni- XL4W, was instituted.
While welcoming the new chairperson, Fr. Paul Fernandes, director of XLRI said, “It is an honour and privilege to welcome Alka Raza, an accomplished media professional and academician to the XLRI family. We are delighted to have Alka become a part of the Centre with her over 35 years of experience, which has spanned across continents all over the globe. She brings vast experiences to the institution from covering major socio political & economic crises around the world. Her significant contributions addressing human development and women’s issues are bound to add value to our teachings. We look forward to learning more from her extensive work which has previously reverberated in Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South-East Asia among other places.”
The director stressed thatCGEIL has an ambitious goal, which is, to significantly increase the participation of women in the workforce within the next 5-10 years through strategic and broad-based interventions.
Despite the pandemic and stressful 2021, CGEIL and XL4W were able to mobilize and organize some very purposeful activities including the launch of “UP! Surge – Journey to the C-Suite- a leadership workshop for women in senior management positions aspiring for C-Suite roles”.
XLRI appreciated and thanked Prof. Shreyashi Chakraborty, assistant professor in Organizational Behaviour at XLRI for heading the Centre as its first chairperson.
Alka Raza thanked XLRI for the trust and confidence it has shown in her vast experience and capabilities.
She said, “I am honoured to be part of the oldest and a leading management Institute in the country. My experience over the years has taught me that it is our need and duty to reach out to those who live in underprivileged circumstances. We must recognize women for their role and contribution they have been making for centuries.”
