FLO's interactive session on Women’s role in Governance

Women’s role in Governance and Policy Making: an interactive session between FICCI Ladies Organisation and Shri N Kiran Kumar Reddy & Smt D.K Aruna

1st August 2012, Hyderabad: FICCI Ladies Organisation - FLO Hyderabad Chapter
had an interactive session with Shri N Kiran Kumar Reddy (honourable Chief Minister, A.P) and Smt D.K Aruna (honourable Minister, Informations and Public Relations, A.P) on Women’s role in Governance and Policy Making.

There is growing recognition of the untapped capacity and talents of women and women's leadership. In the past 10 years the rate of women's representation in national parliaments globally has grown substantially.

As women’s contributions toward a strong and vibrant society are increasingly well documented, there is also more understanding of why women’s meaningful participation is essential to building and sustaining democracy. Women’s political participation results in tangible gains for democracy, including greater responsiveness to citizen needs, increased cooperation across party and ethnic lines, and more sustainable peace.
With an ardent interest towards looking into this arena and exploring avenues in this domain, FICCI FLO Hyderabad Chapter conducted this interesting and interactive session.

Shri N Kiran Kumar Reddy and Mrs D.K Aruna were the Guests of honour who threw light on various aspects in the political arena.
“Like a family is more complete with women and men, governance is also complete with contribution from both genders. Meaningful participation in politics affects policy issues and the solutions that are proposed. Research indicates that a legislator’s gender has a distinct impact on policy priorities, making it critical that women are present in politics to represent the concerns of women and other marginalized citizens. This will help improve policy¬ making and governance.

And who better than our CM Shri N. Kiran Kumar Reddy & Minister of Information & PR Smt D.K Aruna to give us an insight into this topic and help us understand how we can also contribute,” opined Ms Rekha Reddy, Chairperson, FLO on the occasion.
"FICCI Ladies organization can play a role in bridging the gap between policy makers and enterprise,” she added.

About FLO:
FLO was established in 1983, as a division of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) which is the apex body of industry and commerce in India. Its primary objective was to create a platform that voiced the concerns of women entrepreneurs, businesswomen and professionals and promote entrepreneurship and professional excellence. As an all India organization for women, FLO has chapters in Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Guwahati and Coimbatore with its head office in Delhi. The Hyderabad Chapter of FLO was launched in 2001 and today has over 320 members.
FLO endeavors to enhance the various skills of women through its educational and vocational training programmes, talks, seminars, panel discussion and workshop on a wide range of subject. It also focuses on women related legal and social issues like uniform civil code, domestic violence, etc. In its own capacity, FLO interfaces with women in business and the government to empower them in their professional and entrepreneurial endeavours.

FLO Committee (2012-2013)
Chairperson FLO Hyderabad: Rekha Reddy
She is the Associate 1st Master, Ohara Ikebana and the President, Ikebana International Hyderabad. She has given demonstrations in India and abroad. She has been teaching Ikebana and holding workshops for 17 years. She has held solo exhibitions and has written articles on flower arrangement, gardening, foods and nutrition for local and national publications. Rekha has also authored a book 'Petals & Palette', its pages juxtaposing Ikebana with MF Husain's canvas.

She has done her Masters (M.Sc) in Foods and Nutrition from APAU-AP Agricultural University and has received two gold medals in her Masters.

Vice Chairperson: Jyotsna Angara
A Communications and Public Relations Professional; she has worked with varied industry verticals & large multinationals. A Psychology graduate, she is a trained Glider Pilot and Para-jumper who has represented Andhra Pradesh at national level competition.
An enthusiastic individual she enjoys working as a team player in a multitask environment. Working for the under-privileged is her passion.
Secretary: Priyanka Ganeriwal Allahabadi

She is an eminent wedding planner of the city and runs a firm called Weddings N More - a complete wedding solution firm. She is a Post Graduate with specialization in HR & Training and has worked for Deloitte Consulting. She has recently launched her 2nd venture - a new party boutique - “Party Hunterz,” the only one stop shop for all party needs & supplies.

Over the years, she has held many posts in the FICCI FLO & YFLO committee. She is also the chairperson for Utkarsh 1

Treasurer: Usha Rani Manne
She is a first generation co-promoter of the Polmon group of companies, which are engaged in offering measurement and automation solutions, primarily for the pharmaceutical industry. She is an MBA and leads the administrative, finance and human resource functions. She has been conferred the “Outstanding Women Entrepreneur of the year 2007” from FAPCCI. Usha believes firmly in the importance of entrepreneurial initiative and financial sufficiency.

Programme Mentor: Padma lagadapati
She is a director in Telesto Properties Private Ltd, Lanco Horizon Properties Private Ltd & Emerald Orchids Private Limited. She was the Governing Body Member (2010-2011) - FICCI Ladies Organization. She was also part of the SAARC Chamber of Women Entrepreneur Council & Ex-Chairperson - Women Cricket Association, Andhra Pradesh State. She has also won PINK RIBBON AWARD - for Breast Cancer Awareness given by KIMS Hospitals, Hyderabad.

Programme Coordinator: Ch. Sumalatha
Is a popular wedding planner of the city sought after for her traditional decor, residing in Hyderabad for 25 yrs. She is an instructor of Ikebana. She loves travelling, gardening, cooking, reading and to meet people from different walks of life. She is a member of Hyderabad Toastmasters Club.