The status of women in a society gets reflected by the roles played by them in its institutions such as family, political or other social groups. This gets replicated in the Corporate Sector as well. Though women constitute more than half of India's demography, the unequal status at work place is quite visible.

Empowering women and girls and achieving gender equality has a positive impact on inclusive economic growth. When women have access to employment and education, household poverty is reduced and when women control resources all family members benefit.

I remember during a discussion, while talking about female labor participation in organized sector, I had joked that India would be the country with highest number of highly educated home-makers. Be it tourism sector or any, we need to create right spaces so that more women can join the market.

Tourism empowers women politically, socially and economically.Above all women must feel safe and secure at all times both as entrepreneurs and as tourists. Till that happens the full potential of the tourism industry and women will remain dormant.

The freedom to travel, and to travel safe and risk free is an absolute right - one that cannot be taken away for any reason. And yet, there are more women who can testify to there being an obvious stumbling block to travelling freely, in the form of sexual violence. There are miles to go before we can see change.

We don't believe that women need to be given wings to reach the skies or that they need to be empowered or even that they need to be told what to do. They are powerful and capable enough to make things happen for themselves and it is this burning and bright spirit that we love to celebrate at Jugni!

While choosing an unusual career path over my high salaried job, I was questioned by the world, including my own family. Following your passion to see the world, living in multiple destinations and be a part of those fascinating cultures, are nothing less than a state of liberation.

We have been traveling since we were single, and continued our travel journey together ever since we have met. Our transition into the travel blogging world has opened our eyes to a whole different world of digital nomads, remote workers, solo, full-time and couple travellers.

Gender equality is an important ingredient and key to sustainable development. Whether it is reducing the gender gap in wages or bringing more women into the board rooms sustainable tourism will not be complete without achieving gender equality.

Tourism is a sector that allows to work in-situ or from home, full time or part time, and where no job can be done better according to the Gender of the person. It is as well an economic activity where the person/client - the tourist - is not associated to one gender or another.

Pursuing my masters meant receiving unsolicited advice. Instead of congratulating me, someone actually said, 'Beta (child), if you pursue Masters, you will be so overqualified. This will create a lot of problems for your parents in finding a match for you'.

A loud voice in my head keeps saying 'this is a man's world, you have to adjust to it if you want to succeed?'. This is not the fictitious voice of Yoda or Dumbledore in my head, but the very real words uttered during discussions on gender inequality in the workplace.

I remember when the Mumbai attacks of 26/11 happened I was not allowed to go and cover the attacks as I was a female video journalist; after much protest and refusing to leave the office for the safe confides of my home, I was finally allowed to go,

A report on the status of Gender Equality in the Non-profit Sector in India which identifies key challenges, trends and good practices in order to determine the most innovative practices being adopted to promote gender equality today.

As an entrepreneur, I have had to face snide remarks about my leadership and financial skills. A lot of unsolicited advice has come my way from "well-wishing" men, who have tried to lecture me on the disadvantages of focusing more on my career than personal life.

There were many reasons why people around me were not hiring women. The assumptions were that women, even though highly qualified, would have 'nightly deadlines', safety issues, would need permission to travel, and might quit when they get married.

Then there were many instances when my colleagues said things like, "why criminal law, do some corporate law? Why do you need to work... go get married, pamper yourself in the spa, let the men earn for you", "its tough for girls".

One would think that some places would be impervious to gender bias. Places where hard core science and hard won clinical acumen come foremost, gender may fade from conscious conversation. Alas, a medical school or hospital, is not that place.

I have watched with deep consternation, credulous women at large falling for this unscrupulous bunkum that is beautifully staged to make us believe that 'Women are special'. Dont accept differential treatment, choose today to be EQUAL!

Somehow, I always had this notion that people who work in the social development sector, come with an inherent sensitivity towards gender equality and inclusiveness. However, my many years of working in this sector, has more than often proved me wrong.

I know a woman who was told she couldnt have babies for two years if she wanted the job. Now, assume that the unpleasant questions were answered and they got hired, there is a whole set of other challenges to face

As I moved into the service, I got acquainted with stories of discrimination committed against women. Women suicide after marriage is a real phenomenon. While causes might be many, there is no denying that subjugation of women to patriarchy plays a part.

The inception of Centre for Social Research has been the most memorable and challenging tenure of my life. From having a routine of planned lectures as a professor and a room full of students; my life changed to an empty room that I would clean every day.

Make way for her...where all do women fight for their space? At home? In workplace? In public spaces or in the decision making process? Will society soaked in patriarchy over the centuries pave the way or will women have to create their space?

My own journey since 1996 has been very challenging and honestly speaking, not a fair one. Work politics was an integral part across sectors from corporate to development to government & even higher education. Deeply embedded power structures are rigid.

I grew up in a house that was rooted in matriarchy, thinking that to be the norm, never quite understanding that the power and influence of women I saw growing up wasn't common for all women in every house and outside of it. Women require encouragement