This article was first published in Business Standard on September 12, 2024; https://www.business-standard.com/opinion/columns/breaking-the-cycle-business-families-must-lead-in-safeguarding-women-124091201362_1.html
The recent tragedy at RG Kar Medical College has once again
thrust the issue of women's safety into the national spotlight. As the horrific
details emerge, the frustration and anger felt by many are palpable. For those
of us who vividly recall the outcry following the Nirbhaya case, this feels all
too familiar. Despite the countless articles, protests, and promises of reform,
here we are again, grappling with another atrocity that shakes our collective
conscience.
Frankly, I don’t want to write this article. After Nirbhaya,
there was an outpouring of words, and yet, what has changed? The news of
another young woman brutalized makes my blood boil, and it’s hard to see how
more words will prevent the next tragedy. But there is something I can say,
something I can urge: Business families, the backbone of our economy, it is
time to take a stand. The nation needs you to be the change.
The Potential Power of Business Families
Business families wield immense power—not just in terms of
economic capital, but also in shaping societal norms. The decisions made within
these families often set the tone for how women are perceived and treated, not
just within the family business, but in society at large. Unfortunately, these
decisions are too often swayed by outdated cultural norms, where women are
relegated to the background, serving as silent supporters rather than active
participants.
Take a moment to reflect: how many women in your family are
truly involved in the decision-making processes of your business? Are they
empowered to lead, to innovate, to drive change? Or are they merely rubber
stamps, there for the sake of appearances?
The Case for Inclusion: A Lesson from Apollo Hospitals
Consider the example set by the women of the Apollo
Hospitals family, who recently released a powerful video message pledging to
ensure a safe working environment for all women within their organization.
These women, who are not just figureheads but active leaders, understand the
impact they can have in creating a culture of safety and respect. Their
commitment sends a clear message: when women are empowered, they can drive
meaningful change.
Business families have the unique ability to foster
gender-neutral environments, where women are given equal opportunities to lead
and influence. Yet, many remain bound by the constraints of tradition—whether
it’s the expectation that daughters will leave the family business upon
marriage, or the belief that sons are the rightful heirs to leadership.
But imagine the impact if business families across the
nation decided to break free from these constraints. Imagine if they championed
their daughters, daughters-in-law, wives, sisters, and mothers, encouraging
them to take on leadership roles, to be the voices of reason and compassion in
boardrooms dominated by patriarchal norms.
The Responsibility to Lead by Example
The onus is on business families to lead by example. By
promoting women within their own ranks, they not only strengthen their
businesses but also contribute to a broader cultural shift. A woman who is
empowered in her family business is likely to advocate for the safety and
well-being of all women in the workplace. She is likely to challenge norms that
have long gone unchallenged and to inspire others to do the same.
It’s easy to feel powerless in the face of such heinous
crimes as the one at RG Kar, but business families are anything but powerless.
You have the resources, the influence, and the platform to effect real change.
You have the ability to make your businesses not just profitable, but also
pillars of safety and equity.
A Call to Action
I urge you—business families, family businesses—don’t let
this moment pass without taking action. Empower the women in your family to be
leaders, not just in name but in deed. Create policies that protect all
employees, particularly women, from harm. Use your influence to advocate for a
society where safety is a given, not a privilege.
Be the change. The nation is watching, and it needs you to
lead.
Build a legacy where names like Nirbhaya and Abhaya are
never repeated, and candles are lit only in celebration, not in mourning. Pass
your enterprises from one generation to the next, while ensuring that what we
women hand down to our daughters is empowerment and safety, not candles.
