A collaborative workshop titled “EmpowerHer: Fireside Chat on Self Discovery and Financial Freedom” was held at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi on August 1. Organized by the Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI), the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), and the Indian Exhibition Industry Association (IEIA), the event emphasized the importance of financial literacy for women.
The workshop featured engaging fireside chats and expert-led sessions on vital topics such as financial literacy, understanding financial terminology, investment education, business finance management, and utilizing financial tools for effective management. By equipping women with essential financial knowledge and skills, the workshop aimed to foster greater independence and pave the way for more women to ascend to leadership positions.
In her welcome speech, Pallavi Mehra, Chairperson of the Focus Group for Women in Leadership at IEIA, highlighted that the theme “Self-Discovery and Financial Freedom” resonates deeply with the broader mission of gender equality. This mission aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5), which seeks to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
PP Khanna, President of ADTOI, remarked, “I don’t think women need empowerment; they are already the most empowered individuals,” emphasizing the resilience of ‘naari shakti’ and the power of self-discovery. Khanna also stressed the importance of financial savings for security and safety, encouraging women to make their own financial decisions. He highlighted ADTOI’s Women Empowerment and CSR Wing, established in 2016, which aims to empower women in travel and boost tourism by appointing a Lady Executive Officer (LEO) in each chapter of the association.
Rajiv Mehra, President of IATO, spoke about the initial struggles faced by the older generation of women. He emphasized that enhancing financial literacy is crucial, noting that “providing women with access to quality education equips them with knowledge and skills to make informed financial decisions,” benefiting society as a whole.
Sooraj Dhawan, President of IEIA, pointed out that financial literacy has made significant strides over the past 5-7 years. He highlighted the importance of understanding the multifaceted impact of money and spoke on the “skill up-scale up” policy, adding that skilling comes with a spark of motivation that the EmpowerHer workshop can offer.
Eminent speakers, including Suchita Gupta, a Financial Expert; Deepa Sachdev, Managing Partner at Human Capital India; Himanshi Singh, a Soft Skill Trainer; and Dr. Bindu Khosla, Head of Leadership Development & HR Advisory Practice at Xcalibur Coach, conducted the workshop with their respective topics.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Dr. Kuku S Kumar, Convener of the IATO Women Empowerment Committee, who expressed gratitude to the dignitaries, associations involved, and all attendees for their support in setting the tone for the “EmpowerHer Women” workshop.
