I attended the convening that proved to be an experience of learning, networking and reflection. From nervous anticipation to newfound insights, here's what I gained.
I was excitedly nervous when co-leads of our EquiLead initiative Anchal and Aiswarya gave me the opportunity to attend The Nudge’s ‘Pragati - Women-Led Social Transformation Convening’ on February 29, 2024. That feeling rested on me as it was my first time attending an event as a participant and not a planner. Working in the communications vertical, I was always part of the organizing team working backstage, ensuring the seamless execution of the sessions.
One keyword I kept hearing when I entered the social impact sector was ‘Collaboration’ and conferences/ convenings like these serve as a great platform to connect and network for the same. Though I knew about the power of networking, my moderately introverted personality would often hesitate to approach people and engage in meaningful interactions.
I rushed to my manager Mitalee to guide me on ‘How to Network’. Knowing that this was my first experience, she gave me tips and tricks on how to approach a person, how I can pitch our initiative and how to frame a call to action where this conversation would act as a foundation for potential partnerships. The other ‘homework’ I did was to shortlist people who align with our vision of elevating women’s leadership in the social sector and building gender-equitable organizations of the future.
With all the preparations in place, I attended the convening that proved to be an experience of learning, networking and reflection. From nervous anticipation to newfound insights, here's what I gained from the convening.
Learning
To keep the participants intrigued, the convening cleverly weaved a mixture of sessions including panel discussions, flask talks, and fireside chats.
The day started with a thought-provoking panel ‘How can technology enable scale for nano & micro-entrepreneurs?’ where speakers stressed on building trust for technology in communities as a key to potential business growth. I particularly liked panelist Mekin Maheshwari’s (Founder & CEO, Udyam) views on inclusivity in tech where he shared an example about how the voice assistant tool exhibits bias against female voices to make a point: economic prosperity built on excluding 50% of the population isn't just inefficient, it's fundamentally unjust.
This resonated with me. In our endeavors to bridge the accessibility and opportunities gap in technology, we are building a first-of-a-kind online platform that is designed as an information-instruction-interaction-incentivization avenue that will provide:
- Resources to help social purpose organizations accelerate their gender integration policies and create truly equitable workplaces.
- Access to career development opportunities - job connections, networking, mentorship, and learning resources - specifically designed to empower mid-senior and C-Suite women professionals.
The next panel delved deeper into the crucial question of ‘Why aren't more women embracing entrepreneurial journey’ and discussed the roadblocks that hinder women’s path to becoming entrepreneurs. I appreciate it when panelists share real-world experiences. It makes the discussion so much more relatable. That's why I found Chetna Gala Sinha's (Founder of Mann Deshi Bank & Foundation) insights so valuable. Her extensive experience working directly with rural communities gave us a clear picture of the challenges faced by women there, especially when it comes to something as basic as opening a bank account or getting a loan. "Your courage is your capital," quoted Sinha, her words aimed at the women seeking financial services but it resonated with me and all the women in the conference room with our shared experience – the struggle against self-doubt and societal conditioning that breeds imposter syndrome in so many women.
To truly promote women into entrepreneurship, institutions need to bridge the gap by creating leadership pathways that empower and equip them to reach the top level. Through our Organisational Development Programme, we at EquiLead design both long-term and short-term organisational strategies aimed at promoting gender sensitivity awareness, recruiting and onboarding top women candidates in mid-senior positions, implementing gender-equitable practices, and establishing community spaces within the workplace. Additionally, we provide comprehensive gender-focused policy review and development services that surpass mere compliance requirements.
The closing panel ‘The future of community-led Entrepreneurship’ was fascinating. It emphasized the need to design solutions that fit the specific needs of each community. The panel stressed that since the communities are diverse ‘One solution fits all’ won't work. The discussion covered a wide range of solutions, but one key takeaway was the importance of codifying best practices. This would serve as a reference point for social entrepreneurs, enabling them to refine and customize their solutions effectively.
What intrigued me the most were the firsthand observations shared by the panelists regarding the significant role of communities in fostering the growth of women in entrepreneurship. They highlighted how women benefit from the support and guidance provided by these communities in their ventures.
Building a community provides individuals (especially women) with support networks, avenues for shared experiences and platforms for collaboration. Recognising the importance of communities in workplaces, we at EquiLead are actively cultivating a supportive community that champions allyship, creating a space where women can guide, mentor, and access support and safe spaces. We strive to be a platform that facilitates women in accessing work opportunities, including jobs, upskilling, and mentorship.
Networking
Following my manager’s suggestions, I actively approached participants and explained our initiative's purpose and the ambitious vision that drives us. I was glad to see people actively listening to what we aim to achieve and the synergies they can have with us to further our shared goal of gender equity in the sector.
My initial inhibitions were shed as I saw almost all attendees of the convening were eager to have meaningful conversations - introducing themselves and the organisation they represent. Hearing participants discuss their impactful initiatives on the ground was a powerful source of inspiration to network. Everyone I spoke to was excited about the impact they were making and the work that still needs to be done. And hence, one thing was crystal clear: collaboration is the key to maximizing social impact.
Reflection
As I was returning from the convening and took the train back home it gave me some time to reflect upon the day’s experiences and learning. Following are those:
- Networking in the social impact sector is a win-win. People are eager to know about your work and readily offer their own insights. Whether or not a formal partnership emerges, these interactions leave you with a broader understanding of the multifaceted efforts driving social change.
- Panel discussions that tap into the power of storytelling keep the participants intrigued. Real-life experiences make theoretical concepts easier to grasp and far more memorable. After all, we remember stories, not just facts.
- The panel discussions would benefit greatly from featuring more women entrepreneurs working at the grassroots level. Their lived experiences and insights would not only enrich the conversation but also ensure a more inclusive convening, as rightly pointed out by the panelists themselves.
Let’s Connect
As we haven't met at the convening (or I might have missed networking with you), we would love to connect with you. If you want to have an introductory call on how we can join forces and work towards gender equity in the social impact sector, then feel free to connect with us at letstalk@equilead.org, and let's explore collaboration opportunities together.
