WUSME at the HORASIS INDIA MEETING in VIETNAM

Binh Duong New City (VIETNAM) – On September 25-26, 2022 Ms. Sushma Morthania, Vice Chair of the Permanent Commission on Social Issues and Women’s Entrepreneurship of WUSME, the World Union of Small and Medium Enterprises, attended the annual Horasis India Meeting held at in Binh Duong Convention and Exhibition Center in Binh Duong New City, Vietnam. Ms. Morthania took part, as Panelist, in the session focusing on “Female Leadership and Why We need it More than Ever”. Multiple studies indicate that female leaders outperform their male counterparts in globally critical areas like handling the COVID-19 crisis or environmental and social governance (ESG) – including measures to counter climate change. So why do women remain vastly underrepresented in leadership positions? What mindset changes are needed? Among men? Among women? In the corporate world and political arena? Can we define the unique qualities and benefits female leaders bring to the table.

In her speech, Ms. Morthania highlighted that “India, officially the Republic of India is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the south, the Arabian Sea on the southwest, and the Bay of Bengal. It is imperative to understand the external forces or stimuli that lead to discrimination or gender inequality at the most basic levels of society. FAMILY is the most basic building block of a community or society; the basis of our social fabric & structure and the woman/ mother of the house is the integral key and link to all the family members It is SHE who creates a precedence for her daughters and sons to follow or lead by example for future generations to follow.

DISCRIMINATION CHALLENGES
A. There have been instances where women have stood up against the discrimination, abuse, violence, be it in familial places or across social barriers, rural or hinterland-based issues. These are the very instances that need to be highlighted and shared.
B. Every Woman must rise, be educated, share their stories, and give up the fear instilled by centuries of subjugation, not hesitating for even a bit to ask for help from and support other women, fighting their own battles, day after day.

TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES
C. Technology has only helped bring to the fore the challenges and issues while helping in garnering support from all over the world, from women and people separated by millions of miles but brought together by actionable thoughts and inspiration.
D. Technology has left no barrier unbroken, doesn’t discriminate against any gender / race / caste etc, having helped in bringing women of the world together, providing equal opportunities to gain experience, educate, network, connect, reach out, promote, enable, and earn for that ultimate economic empowerment of women.
E. Social Media and outreach platforms have proved to be a powerful tool to create networks, drum up support for just causes, raise public outcry against injustice and spur the authorities into action.

RECOMMENDATIONS– SUPPORT, REQUEST HELP AND SHARE STORIES THROUGH NETWORKS
• Build strong Networks of women for sharing and supporting each other. Enabling, Educating, getting women to understand their real place in the family and the society.
• Networks to reach out and hold the hand of every woman, no matter how distant, how downtrodden, or far flung.
• Build vast pool of friends, highlight all transgressions, no matter how small, ensuring no woman feels helpless, isolated, or alone anymore.
• Enable these networks to educate each other and offer work, trade, livelihood, and entrepreneurship opportunities.
• Use networks to share millions of stories of women who have broken their shackles and ensure their daughters no longer feel they need to be content with inequality, while their sons no longer feel possessive or insecure of their women.
We need to use technology to connect and reach every MOTHER on this planet and through her, the next generation of Mankind. GENDER EQUALITY HAS TO START WITH ME – EACH WOMAN HERSELF. ”