A powerful push towards gender parity and leadership
The evening saw the signing of a first of its kind Future. Female. Forward Close the Gender Gap Charter and the Unveiling of The Gender Parity Index Report – both significant step toward driving tangible progress towards gender parity
CNBC-TV18, India’s leading English business news channel, successfully hosted the Mumbai edition of HSBC presents Future. Female. Forward. Season 3 – Co-presented by Cognizant India, at The St. Regis on March 10, 2025. With the theme ‘Path to Peak,’ the event brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and changemakers to drive tangible progress toward gender equality. The event served as a dynamic platform for discussions on structural reforms, workplace inclusivity, and strategies to accelerate women’s participation in the workforce.
The evening began with an energetic performance by singer Manasi Scott, followed by a welcome note from Shruti Mishra of CNBC-TV18, setting the stage for an insightful discussion on bridging the gender gap. Shereen Bhan, Managing Editor of CNBC-TV18, then delivered an opening address emphasising the event’s core message. She said, “Future. Female. Forward. isn’t about asking for permission—it’s about dismantling barriers, driving tangible change, and ensuring that every woman has the opportunity to thrive, unhindered by societal constraints. The evidence is clear, investing in women isn’t just a moral imperative, it’s an economic necessity. Studies show that raising female workforce participation can significantly boost GDP, driving national prosperity. So we must ask ourselves—can a nation truly soar to its full potential if half its population are held back? The answer is unequivocally no. That’s why this season of Future. Female. Forward. is about action. It’s about bold steps, measurable change, and accountability in creating a future where gender equity is not just an ideal but a reality. Because progress doesn’t happen in silos—it demands collective will, transparency, and the determination to break barriers once and for all.”
A key highlight of the evening was the signing of the Future. Female. Forward Close the Gender Gap Charter by top leaders, marking a landmark commitment to ensuring equal opportunities.This was followed by a thought-provoking presentation by Pooja Sharma Goyal, Founding CEO of The Udaiti Foundation, our Knowledge Partners, shared key findings from the Gender Parity Index Report. The report captures data-driven insights into the state of gender equality in India and underscored the importance of public-private collaboration in fostering workplace inclusion and driving economic growth through increased female participation.
‘The Leaders’ Forum’ brought together a distinguished panel comprising Hitendra Dave, CEO – HSBC India, Rajesh Varrier, EVP- Global Head of Operations, Chairman and MD, Cognizant India, Ameera Shah, Promoter & Executive Chairperson – Metropolis Healthcare, Rajesh Jejurikar, ED & CEO, (Auto & Farm Sector) – Mahindra Group, Prabha Narasimhan, MD – Colgate Palmolive India, Ashish Dhawan, Founder and CEO – The Convergence Foundation, and Vartika Shukla, Chairperson and MD, EIL. The discussion brought forward actionable strategies for creating equal opportunity workplaces, highlighting initiatives that have successfully promoted diversity and inclusion within corporate structures.
During the panel, Hitendra Dave, CEO, HSBC India, said, “Fair pay and equal opportunities are a long-term journey. In financial services, talent drives promotions, and biases are gradually fading. Transparency in pay by gender is increasing, and companies with strong female leadership often perform well. As awareness grows, more organisations will adopt these measures. The conversation must move beyond simplistic narratives.”
Rajesh Varrier, EVP- Global Head of Operations, Chairman and MD, Cognizant India, said, “In an AI-first world, industry-academia partnerships are crucial for preparing the workforce of the future. Upskilling the current workforce is essential alongside equipping students—regardless of gender —with the latest technologies to ensure equal access to learning and growth. Equally important is fostering an inclusive workplace. Our ‘Shakti’ program embodies this commitment through initiatives that support women from campus to corporate. By providing the right programs every step of the way and promoting allyship, we empower women with skills and opportunities to thrive in the workplace.”
The Future. Female. Forward. Icons was a special felicitation of path breakers and trailblazer who have broken barriers and paved the way for others. The honourees include, Kaamya Karthikeyan – Second Youngest India to summit Everest, Smt. Kunuku Hema Kumari – Sarpanch, Pekeru, Andhra Pradesh, Dr. Aanchal Gupta, Netram Eye Foundation, Chef Amninder Sandhu, Group Captain Monica Bijlani – Director, Media & Public Relations, Indian Airforce, Archana Priydarshini, Partner, Edurance Capital, Ruchi Kalra, Co-founder OfBusiness, Vaishali Nigam Sinha, Director, ReNew Power; Padmaja Chunduru, CEO, NSDL; Dr. Shefali Tsabury, Clinical Psychologist, Shanti Ekambaram, Deputy MD, Kotak Mahindra Bank; Ila Arun, Actor; Chetna Gala Sinha, Founder, Mann Deshi Foundation & Mann Deshi Manila Bank.
A special session on “Home: The Starting Line for Equality,” featured Dr. Shefali Tsabary, Clinical Psychologist, and Tara Singh Vachani of Antara Senior Care. The discussion explored the role of upbringing and household dynamics in shaping gender perceptions. Dr. Shefali said, “True equality isn’t just about effort; it requires a shift in mindset. Real change begins when women recognize their own worth, not in comparison to men, but as powerful individuals in their own right. A mother who sees herself as lesser unconsciously instills that belief in her son, perpetuating the cycle. However, when women embrace their inner power, without seeking validation or competing in a man’s world, the entire system shifts. The biggest barrier isn’t external—it’s our own insecurity. Once women own their power unapologetically, no external force can hold them back.”
The event concluded with a powerful closing note, underscoring CNBC-TV18’s unwavering commitment to gender parity, actionable change that organisations can adopt and an amazing music performance by Manasi Scott and band.
Future. Female. Forward Season 3 continues to drive meaningful conversations, ensuring that the need to close the gender gap and attain gender parity remains a priority across industries.
To view the Mega Summit, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ko_tx11wQQY&ab_channel=CNBC-TV18
