On March 8, 2025, I had the incredible honor of hosting IASTEM’s Women’s Day Special Panel Discussion, Voices of Power: Women Leaders Inspiring the Next Generation Leaders, as a representative of IASTEM. It was a privilege to facilitate this transformative conversation alongside an inspiring panel: Prof. Beena Giridharan, Patricia Gakii, Dr. Bridget Irene, Prof. Ola Familoni, Dr. Mythilli Kolluru, Dr. Aarti Sharma, and Prof. Sripriya Sarathy. Together, we explored how women can empower and uplift the next generation—and I’m still buzzing from the collective wisdom shared!
The panel discussion was a powerful blend of ideas. The speakers highlighted the role of women in leadership as mentors and sponsors, advocating for specialized leadership programs and networking events to support others. They emphasized the need for honest dialogue on gender biases and collaboration with men to build a society where both genders thrive. A thought-provoking point was made about how women are often socialized to find joy in small gestures (even a president might cherish a birthday gift!), sparking a call to reprogram unconscious biases, foster self-esteem, and value ourselves more.
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We tackled tough realities: pay disparities, unbalanced professional representation, inheritance issues, objectification, and gender stereotypes. The panel reflected on Swami Vivekananda’s wisdom—”You don’t teach morals to a hungry person”—underscoring that empowerment begins with addressing basic needs, such as choosing a meal over a pad or ensuring economic independence. India’s digital advancements were celebrated as a tool for women’s security, and the ripple effect of educating a woman was a recurring theme, spreading awareness, respect, and equality. One powerful sentiment captured the essence: “We cannot grow individually; we can grow collectively.” This idea of mutual respect and coexistence fueled the discussion.
This wasn’t just a panel— it was a movement for more role models, more awareness, and more equality. I’m proud to have hosted this event for IASTEM and left feeling inspired to keep pushing forward.
