'Women have a long way to go'

Women’s varsity VC Prof Meena Chandawarkar opens meet on ‘feminine qualities and leadership’.

About 50 years ago, women were confined to teaching and nursing. But, today’s women have excelled in technological and corporate fields as well. However, among the Fortune 500 companies, only 4 per cent of Indian women have found place and in the country, only two among 100 administrative posts are held by women. Hence, there is a long way to go, said Karnataka State Women’s University (Bijapur) Vice Chancellor Prof Meena Chandawarkar.

She was delivering the keynote address at ‘FEMCON-2014,’ a UGC sponsored two-day national conference on feminine qualities and leadership, organised by the Department of PG Studies in Commerce, University College and the Department of Studies and Research in Commerce, Mangalagangothri, at Ravindra Kala Bhavan, Mangalore on Tuesday.

In India, 16 per cent of women attain the post of junior manager, 4 per cent women have become middle level and senior managers and only one per cent hold the position of top manager, Meena said.

Woman have the capability of brightening up her surroundings. She instills the feeling of devotion among her family members, for she knows the power of prayer. Meena Chandawarkar said that devotion gives power to woman. With the almighty, there is endless hope and without him, it is hopeless end, she added.

None of the women achievers have become popular overnight. There is a lot of hard work behind the success of women like Sudha Murthy and Kiran Majumdar. A real struggle makes an achievement worthwhile. If someone takes a shortcut, their success will be cut short.

A woman’s power to forge ahead, commitment and sincerity makes her a good leader.  Compared to men, women have more control over the emotions, and qualities like sacrifice and multi-skilled personality make her unique, she added.

Mangalore University Vice Chancellor (acting) Prof H Nagalingappa presided over the programme.

Conference Chairman Prof A Raghuram, Co-convener A Siddiq were present.