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Need for substantive representation of women on boards: Maneka
New Delhi, July 8
There is a compelling need
for substantive representation of women on the boards of companies
rather than a token representation through family members, Women and
Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi said here on Wednesday.
Gandhi
also expressed concern that though the ministry of corporate affairs
and SEBI have mandated that companies must have at least one woman on
their boards and it was observed that this was often being done by
appointing the wives or daughters of the promoters on the board.
Gandhi
was inaugurating a conference on 'Women at Workplace,' organised by
Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) on
Wednesday.
"I have written to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs
to figure out how we can have a substantive representation of women on
the boards rather than a token representation through the family
members," she said.
She also stressed the need for the setting up of the internal committees to address sexual harassment at workplace.
"I
receive a large number of complaints on a daily basis where
organisations are seen to be failing in their duty under the Sexual
Harassment at Workplace (Prevention Prohibition and Redressal) Act
2013," she said.
She further said though she took up the issue with the apex body, the response wasn't encouraging.
"I
had taken up the matter with the apex national chambers of commerce and
industry asking them to sensitize their corporate members. However, the
response from the chambers was not very encouraging," she said.
She
stressed that all organisations having 10 or more persons working with
them including some women are required to constitute the internal
complaints committee as well as provide sensitisation training to all
the employee of the company.
"I would request all the chambers
to take it up as a mission so that all the members start complying with
the provision of the Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act, 2013," added
Gandhi.
She also stressed upon for providing enabling environment for women to train them for various kinds of professions.
"We
have revised STEP scheme and made it easier for NGOs engaged in
training of women to access our assistance. The companies can contribute
in this direction in a big way through their CSR initiatives. I will be
happy to work with any company or groups of companies who come forward
with concrete proposals for providing skill to women," she pointed out.
She
also sought a conducive atmosphere for women at workplace. "In order to
help more and more women to participate in the workforce, it is
critical that we provide encouraging and safe work environment to them,"
she added.