Amudhavalli Ranganathan. chairperson, Confederation of Indian Industry-Indian Women Network, on Saturday stressed the need for increasing the number of women occupying leadership roles in different spectrum of industries in the country.

Speaking at ‘Women in Industry 4.0-Manufacturing & Textile’ organised by CII-IWN Tamil Nadu here, she said that Tamil Nadu was a pioneering State in employing women in industry. It employed 41% of all women working in India in the manufacturing sector. No other State employed women to the level of Tamil Nadu in the country. Tirupur knitwear cluster, Karur textile cluster and Coimbatore engineering units employed a large number of women. However, it was not sufficient. The number did not speak the whole story as women were underrepresented in research and development, digital strategy, plant leadership, among others.

Ms. Ranganathan, who is also the Director of CavinKare Pvt Ltd, said that an upcoming battery-operated two-wheeler manufacturing unit in Krishnagiri was being built wholly with women work force. It was a genuine cause for optimism. The Central government had set up an ambitious long-term goal of bringing more women into economic activities. Hence, there was a need for transformation focusing the creation of women entrepreneurs and leaders in the manufacturing industry.

M. Perumal, chairman, CII Karur Zone & proprietor of South Indian Textiles, said that industry and academia should have strong collaboration and understanding so as to offer courses that fulfilled the expectation of industry.

S. Anand, Vice Chairman, CII Tiruchi Zone & managing partner, Jeyam Builders, said that women had great potential to take on leadership roles. Industry had been evolving itself to absorb talented women at the top level of hierarchy and they must utilise the opportunity.

Karthika Prabu, convenor, CII IWN Karur Zone, Avanti Natarajan, vice-chairperson, CII IWN Tamil Nadu & Director, Paavai Educational Institutions, R. Yamini, co-convenor, CII IWN Tiruchi Zone & HR Head, Velmurugan Heavy Engineering Industries, and others spoke.

Many women leaders, industrialists and entrepreneurs from Tiruchi, Karur and different parts of the State participated in the programme.